The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-09-13
The Free Press the Leader Only 500 a Year.
A DASTARDLY DEED.
VIM. Seefeldt's New Barn Destroyed by
Fire.

Fire.
Mapleton Enterprise:
William Seefeldt of Medo met with
serious loss, Wednesday night, in the
burning of his new barn, corn cribs,
hog sheds, wind mill, etc.
The story of the burning as learned
from Mr. and Mrs. Seefeldt, by the
Enterprise is as follows: About 9
O clock, Mrs. Seefeldt said to her hus-
band, SIT looks like rain upon which
he went out of doors and returning in
a little while they retired at 9 20. At
about ten o'clock the dogs barked
furiously, awakening Mrs. Seefeldt,
who got up and went out on the front
porch but saw no one about and no
fire, so went to bed and sleep. About
II O'Clock she woke again to see a
bright glare reflected on her bed room
wall by a mirror standing near the
plate glass window, and saw the new
barn ablaze on the southwest gable.
She called Mr.. Seefeldt anu both went
out doors. Such a picture met their
gaze, all the yard and buildings lighted
up and standing out plainly against
the willow backgrou nd, as they will
never forget.
The fire must have been set by some
one outside the barn, because there
had been no fire of any kind inside or
outside the new barn all day or during
the evening The little calf which
was the sole living inhabitant, being
fed in the dark. The new barn was
of "a feet posts and measured 32x6O,
being finished by carpenters and
painters Friday. The many little
things necessary on the inside were
all completed last night, preparatory
to moving in today. 1t cost between
81, 400 to 81, 500, with it was burned
about 70 tons of hay, 500 bushels of
oats, 8 double sets of harness and a
valuable lot of machinery, binders,
mowers, hayrake, wagon, etc.
The double corn crib in which was
q SlCo14 oOpdl oUO1 anu AAohJ hoShlhC1y
tools, some feed, coal and lumber; the
hog house; the COW stable, in which
was one calf and sleigh; two hen
houses with about 400 chickens; the
machine shed filled with various farm
machinery the wind mill, tanks
milk cans and everything connected
with the dairy business the horse barn
with four fine work horses, a colt, the
pride of the neighborhood, and dog,
were all burned to- shapeless mass of
chaos
They had finished threshing Friday
and 80 most of the straw was also de-
stroyed. In fact, of all the fine farm
equipment, little besides the granary,
little scorched oats, few geese,
pigs, etc. is left Mr.. Seefeldt and had
the wind been few more points east
the splendid dwelling house would
also have been food for the flames
One pane of glass was cracked and
some plants, standing on the porch
were scorched as it was.
Help was hard to call TO their assist
ance as everybody was abed, but Mr..
Fred Pacholdt saw the light and came
quickly and rendered valuable aid in
saving the granary. In little while
others were upon the scene and so
strong was the Indignation at the das-
tardly deed that threats Of burning the
incendiary if he were known were
freely INDUCED in. In his nervous
condition Mr. Seefeldt estimated his
loss at between 81, 600 and So, 600 with
but very light insurance, to help him
build again. He and the hired man
had worked very hard all winter
gathering material for the buildings,
and were now ready to take a little
comfort, on their completion had not
some fend in human shape interfered
causing them bitter disappointment.