Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-03-18
The Fire.

chronicle the destruction of three
of our business buildings by fire. 1t
was first discovered by Mr.. Nelson, who
runs the section house on the B & M.
railroad. 1t occurred about o'clock on
the morning of the 18th, and was first
seen to issue from the space between
the rear of the butcher shop proper and
the lard room. II was supposed to have
been caused by some boys who were
seen to be there the day before smoking
cigarettes 1t is thought probable that
they let fall a partly burned cigarette
which slowly ignited the waste material
lieing loose there, which smouldered un-
til morning when it burst into flame.
This building was occts,iad by Mr.. John
GLADDEN., who carries on the butcher
business connected with general store.
The building on the east side was occu-
pied by Mr.. George Kimble and August
Heidepriem as a harness shop. The
next building on the east was occupied
by a Chinamen called "Fliday," who
used the same as a club room.
There were but very few people STIR
ing at so early an hour, but the alarm
was promptly sounded and in few mo
ments a large crowd had gathered at
the scene of confagration. The flames
spread so rapidly that it was soon made
apparent that nothing could be done to
save the buildings, and every one work
ed with might and main to save the
goods and fixtures. This to large ex-
tent was carried out successfully, and
there was not much destruction of ma
terial in that form, except as to the tools,
furniture, fixtures, and manufacturing
appliances which were kept in the back
room and outbuildings belonging to Mr..
McFadden, and used in the butcher
business. These were entirely destroy
ed. The buildings were all frame struc
tnres and in a remarkable short space
Of time were reduced to ashes.
The loss on the building belonging TO
Mr.. Bain is estimated at $4,000, upon
which there was an insurance OF $500 90.
The loss on stock and fixtures was valu-
ed at $4,000, with an insurance of
$4,000.
The Smith building cost $3.50 90 upon
which there was an insurance Of 5000.
The cost of the Kimble & Heidepriem
building was $65000 upon which there
was an insurance of $4,000 and furth.
er insurance Of $4,000 on the stock
These buildings were situated on the
north side of Custer Avenue, which is
the principle business street of the city,
and the surrounding property owners
may be congratulated that the destruc-
ton was not more widespread. 1t was
a fortunate circumstance that there WAS
no wind blowing at the time. otherwise
the fire fiend would have in all prob
ability consumed the whole block
The brick building occupied by Raver
& Ulton as a saloon, being situated on
the east side of the Smith building, of
fered 10 food for the flames, and stop
ped its further progress in that direction.
They, however. sustained considerable
damage by breakage, and by being com
PEELED to move out so hastily, and their
damage is estimated at $4,000.
Custer, during its history, has expert
enced many fires of greater or less Sc
verify. but on the whole has been fortu
hate in not having been visited with
one which has been widespread in it's
ravages. The losses, however, have
been more than sufficient to admonish
our people that something should be
done to facilitate the fighting of fire, and
to enable our citizens to feel at least
some slight security of life and property
against the ravages of the fell destroy.
er.