Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-01-05
Tns FIRE in Custer.

ere this been made aware that we nav
had fire in our town. 1t occurred d
Sunday, the 30th of December. 1900, a
about half past twelve o'clock In tn
afternoon. The smoke was first seel
rising from one Of the rear rooms Of tn
Vienna hotel but no one seems to knoy
how it caught, or how the fire first orig
mated. A strong wind was blowini
from the northwest and the fame
quickly spread to the livery stable OF
the east and soon the whole block wa
in flames. The alarm had been prompt
ly sounded and the people excitedly
FASTENED to the scene, and with willin,
hands succeeded in carrying out tho
furniture and all the effects of value be
longing to the occupants. Except thai
OF the large livery stable belonging to
Mr.. G. O. Crary which was welt stocked
with hay and oats, the proprietor bav-
ing Just laid in a full winters supply.
Custer has no fire department, and the
flames quickly deyoured the fra.ne
buildings in the following order:
First the Vienna hotel, which stands
on the corner of 9th street and Custer
Avenue. This was the only two story
building in the block and was valued at
$1,000. 1t was owned by the Custer
County Bank, and was insured for 81 500.
This building was formerly owned by
Capt. G. A. Hasefodt, and was one of
the old land marks of the city. The
lower floor was occupied by Mr. N o.
Billings as barber shop. He figures
his loss at about $4,000. The east room
was occupied by Mr.. Rodstrom az a
photograph gallery who sustained but a
trifling loss by damage to goods.
Mr.. Crary's loss foots up about 81 900
on building and 5000 on hay and oats,
total $4,000. No insurance.
Mrs. +. Kemmish, who owned and
occupied the next building east as a
dwelling and store, sustained loss on
building and damage to stock of $500.
Insurance $500.
Mr.. Chris Henriksen, proprietor of
livery and feed stable met with a loss
IF about $500 on building and hay. In.
surance $500.
III q. Butterfield came next in order
with loss to building Of $780, No insur
ance.
James Clark, who owned the old but
cher shop and adjoining rooms, was next
called upon to feed the flames, which he
did to the tune of loss of about $3.50.
No Insurance..
Otto Munson, who occupied the rooms
next TO the alley as a taxidermist estaL-
lishment, suffered loss Of about $75 OO
or personal effects aud damage to stock.
Mrs. NJ. l.. Sanders, who owned the
last building in the block, will sustain a
loss of $500 on building with an insur
ance of 5000.
The fire was an exceedingly hot one
while it lasted and the buildings across
the street, as we'll as the First National
Bank were In great danger. The peo.
pie. who from the very first saw the
hopelessness Of saying any of the build.
ings IN the block, formed themselves in
to a bucket brigade and kept the sur
rounding buildings well saturated with
water BY this means, and from the
further fortunate circumstances that the
wind blew favorable, enabled the popu
lace to keep the fire confined to the
block where it first started. Had the
wind blown from different quarter
their efforts must have proved futile
and much more damaging confagra
tion must haye ensued.
There are only two thus far who have
signified their intention ofrebuiding OF
their lots, These are Mrs. Kemmsh
and Mr.. Henriksen, who say they viii
rebuild as soon as their insurance can b'
adjusted.