The Van Buren press., 1901-07-27
Fire Removes an old Landmark.

ing removed what has long been an
unsightly corner on Main street and as
a natural consequence entailed consid-
cradle losses on its occupants and the
owners of the property. 1t also removes
a building that had become one of the
landmarks on upper Main street.-the
/, old Robinson Hall. Originally con-
structed for storerooms with the upper
floors arranged for an entertainment
hall, it served its purpose number of
years until supplanted by the opera
house building erected bNt late F. R
McKibben and destroyed some 10
months since by fire. OF late years the
second floor of the building has been
used as a rooming house, and the lower
floor as meat market and barber shop.
At the time of the fire it was occupied
by A. W. Merrill's meat market and
McClain s barber shop. The adjoining
building-also totally destroyed-was
occupied by Hutchinson s lunch stand
and Charles Logan saloon, with some
negro joints in the rear. Another
building that narrowly escaped total
destruction was the frame building on
the opposite corner of 9th street-also
an old-timer. 1t was badly damaged
and some small shacks in the rear
totally destroyed.
The fire is supposed to have been of
incendiary origin. At 2:45A. NJ. Night
Officer Hatley discovered blaze in the
rear of Merrill s market near a window
from which pane had been broken.
He telephoned Mr. Merrill and they put
| ~ mt xuttbnnt trouh1a nj
mondson e. Britt's baker discovered
fire in the same place, but it had
already gotten beyond control and a
general alarm was turned in, the
engines in the Mo. Pacific yard aiding
in giving it emphasis. The buildings
were old frame structures, dry as finder
and few moments sufficed to get them
to burning all over, giving but little
time for the removal of goods. The
department arrived on the scene
promptly, but it was at once seen that
their labor must be confined to saving
surrounding property, which proved a
difficult job, as the blaze was an
exceedingly hot one and for a time it
looked as though Mr.. Edmondson 9
bakery, warehouse and residence were
doomed. The fire spread across 9th
street and destroyed some small shacks
and the rear of the building occupied
by Castrignano's fruit stand before it
was checked. The intense heat cracked
the windows in the Office buildings on
the opposite side of Main street and
damaged the iron cornice and scorched
the paint off the Kerr-Turner building.
BY $3.50 the fire was under control,
having practically burned itself out in
the Robinson property.
The eighteen-inch fire wall of Ed
mondson & Britt's store was found
badly cracked by the heat and the roof
damaged. The Southwestern Telephone
company met with severe loss and
crippling Of their system by the de-
struction of the cable leading to the
eastern part Of town, containing a
hundred or more wires. They have
had force of men at work nearly all
week and have things in shape again.
The department did good work all
that was in their power to do-and
luckily there was dead calm at the
time, otherwise In spite Of our excellent
water works system we might have
been compelled to chronicle the most
destructive fire in the history Of Van
Buren,. The department was somewhat
handicapped by the lack Of nozzles.
There was plenty of hose, for only short
lines were needed TO reach the fire.
The pressure appeared very weak, but
this was easily accounted for in that
four lines were playing at one time,
supplemented by an open line, g.. one
without nozzle, which has great
tendency to reduce pressure.
The buildings on the north side of 9th
street belonged to the Robinson estate,
and that on the south side to Mrs. Rosa
Byars, The buildings all being frame
structures the insurance rates were
prohibitive, so that none was carried
on them, nor the contents Of any Of the
business houses excepting Castrignano' s
fruit stock, on which there was an
insurance of 81 900, Mr., McClain
saved nearly everything out of his
barber shop. His loss will reach about
$500. Out of Merrl's meat market
nothing was saved excepting the books
and scales and beef which was hang.
| ing in the front Of the building
Charley Logan lost everything except
three barrels Of whiskey and some case
goods, Not dismayed, however, he
had opened up for business by evening
In the Bearden property, corner 7th
and Main,
The total loss will not run very high,
as the buildings were old structures
which should have seen their day Of
usefulness long since, The location Is
u desirable one and II will not be many
months, we think, before handsome
brick structures will have taken their
place.
Have any of our people thought about
what would have happened last Satur'
day morning without waterworksy
Charley Logan has received new set
Of bar fixtures and expects to continue
In business In the Bearden property.
Mr. and Mrs, A, A. Clinkscales
arrived Wednesday from Kansas City
on visit to Mrs, Clnkscales mother,
A bad complexion generally results
from inactive liver and bowels, In Ill
such cases Dewitt 4 Little Early Risers
produce gratifying results.
H. G. JOHNSON,
W. N, Boatright aud sons returned
Saturday from u weeks camp near
MOUNTAINEERING and report very enjoy
able outing,
Route Agent Harrison Of the Wells
Fargo has been spending several days
here this week getting ready for the big
Crawford county peach crop