Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
ABOUT THAT FIRE.
Liveliest Blaze That Abilene Ever
Saw.

ton than this one did yesterday be-
tween the hours Of 1856 and 4:l5.
About 200 women and children
dreamed of fires all night and there
have been more stories Of hair-breadth
escapes and feats of bravery than
often come in a decade of ordinary
towns existence.
The stable was struck about the
middle and three mules were knocked
down. Will Childs was Is feet
away. He got up one of the mules
and turned out rs others and 10
horses in the stable. He was none
too quick for in a moment the hay
had carried the flames the whole
length of the structure. Fearful
clouds of smoke, lighted with flame,
were carried directly against the City
mills, which seemed doomed The
fire department was soon on hand and
streams were playing on the side of
the mill and although it was suffocat-
ingly hot the boys kept water between
stable and mills.
The City mills will give the fire
department 500, Thomas Kirby $25
and the Badger Lumber Co. $40. as
showing their appreciation Of fire.
mems work. 1t should be used in a
permanent addition to the depart
ment's equipment.
Every foot of hose the city owns
was in use, 100 feet
The trees on Third street north of
the mill are scorched Burning Gin
ders were carried a mile north and
people in the north part of town were
driven indoors by the heat.
The office building at the stables
was saved though badly damaged.
The City mills will have no bill for
damages. Unless the smoke injured
some Of the flour nothing was hurt.
This is pretty well. Messrs. Stod-
dard u Flenner locked up their books,
closed the mill and expected fully at
one time to lose not only the mill but
Mr.. Stoddard's residence.
Several persons have assured the
mill owners that during the fire they
prayed hard that the mill might be
saved and hence it was. However it
is probably just as well that there
was a good water pressure and plenty
of hose on hand.
The heavy rain that followed the
fire drencbed many sightseers.
Citizens worked hand in hand with
the firemen and all deserve equal
credit.
Huffman 4 Etherington lose two
mules, surrey, breaking cart, Is tons
OF hay, 900 bushels of corn. 40 bush
els oats, ton of bran, harness, ETC.,
total value $4,000, insurance $1,000.
They had sent 10 head of mules to
pasture that morning and as there are
frequently over 100 horses and mules
in the barn at once the fire might
have done vastly more damage.
The big sheds were among the
finest in the state and were originally
the Chicago Lumber yard headquar-
tiers. The owners spent large sum
fitting them up and they were adj
mirably arranged for their purpose.
The cloud of dense smoke and flame
carried by the hard south wind made
a sight that few will ever forget. 1t
was terrifying, yet beautiful, and it
seems impossible that there could SO
little damage resulted out of it all.
East Fourth street had the livelest
time of anybody. The cinders came
dropping on the houses and number
OF families expected to be burned out.
Their household goods were carried
to the streets and the women had var
ious degrees of Mysteries that were
entirely excusable. Mr.. and Mrs.
Hees thought they were to suffer two
fires in one week and it was narrow
escape.
d. L. Pisle was at home when his
barn caught. He got out the buggy
and harness and Mrs. Pisle led out
the horse. Then they tried to save
the house. The south lattice and
roof were afre several times and when
the liremen got there no nozzle was
obtainable. Charlie Benignus went
on the roof with a hose without a noz-
zle and did valiant service under diff