The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-07-30
A DISASTROUS BLAZE.
Defiance Enterprise.

About O'Clock Monday morning the
large shed containing Mr.. ]. M. Bow
mans steam threshing outfit and corn
shelter burned to the ground together
with its contents. There was no in
surance and the loss is total. Mar. Bow
man placing it at $1,000. The fire was
discovered about l o'clock by Charlie
Mcbride, who was driving home from
town. 1T started in the front end OF the
shed and Mr.. Mcbride at once drove
back to tow for Mr.. Bowman. Upon
his arrival the whole structure was a
mass OF flames and nothing was saved.
The shed had been So thoroughly dried
BY the intense heat of the protracted
warm weather that IL ire burned very
rapidly and in less than an hour moth
ing but the sm%ouldering ruins remained.
Mr. Bowman on Saturday had fitted
UP his machinery and expected t SOM
me1lce the seasons threshing the fore
part Of the week. The boiler and
water tank had been filled and every
thing was in readiness. The filling Of
the boiler possibly saved the total loss
OF the engine. as it is thought with con-
siderable expense it can be repaired.
The cause or origin of the fire is in
Nolved in deep mystery. there being
absolutely no knowledge of their hav-
ing been anything Of a conlbustible
nature within the shed and because of
this it is thought ny many to have been
set on fire. The fact of its occurring
at midnight they think lends credit to
this opinion. Others express the more
conservative opinion that the fire orig
mated IN some mysterious way, unac-
cotlntable, OF course. and probably
always will remain SO. However, the
mystery remains as deep as ever, but it
does not seem possible that any one
would mallciously cause so great a
destruction Of property. MIR. Bowman's
loss is deeply regretted. 1t cannot be
calculated as the value of the machinery
alone, but he loses the season work,
he having a great deal OF business for
his machinery already engaged.
About u o'clock Saturday night fire
was discovered by Nightwatch Kent in
the coal sheds OF the Stewart Lumber
Co. He Immediately aroused the en-
ployes OF the company who shoveled
enough coal out OF the bin so that the
fire could be eNtinguished. Sponta-
neous combustion in a bin cotaining a
small amount of coal screenings was
the cause and from this the fire burned
through a partition into a bin full of
lump coal in which it was rapaidly gain
ing Roadway when discovered.
The court house officials have rented
the use of the public property sur
rounding the court house to the COM
ing circus in exchange for a large UNI
Der of free tickets. Just what right
they have to let this privilege which
belongs to the public. for their own per-
sonal gain is not known. They should
at least be generous in remembering
their friends on circus day and they
doubtless would be pleased to accom-
modate any one who will ask for it with
a pass to the show.
LETTING OF THE POOR FARM.
Notice is hereby given that sealed
bids will be received until Monday. Sep
TENDER 2, 1901, at 1 p. m, by the board
of supervisors for the leasing OF the
poor farm and the boarding of paupers,
for the term of one year, beginning the
first day Of March, 1902. Parties max
ing bids must furnish reference as to
character and ability to manage same.
Bond of ($I,ooo must accompany bid.
Board reserves the right to reject any
or all bids. Contract and specifications
can be seer on file in the auditors Of
flee.
J. B. ROMANS co. carry the most
complete stock of white lead, mixed
paints, dry paints. varnishes, colors
in oil. and brushes. Call az rhair