The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-06-23
BURNED
TO THE
GROUND
"HaIf- Way House" and Ad.
joining Residence DeStrOyd
Tenants Lose House Effects
With No Insurance


The celebrated and seminotorious
resort, the Halfway House" and an
adjoining residence, on North Liberty
street, we're entirely destroyed by fire
at o'clock this morning.
The Loss.
The HALLWAY" house was the
property of Felix LaI}ranche who es-
timated its value at $4,000 The build
ing and furniture, which are a com
plete loss, were insured for $1,000 with
the Sun Insurance Company. Frank
Osburn who lived in the building and
conducted the resort, lost practically
all of his household goods upon which
he had no insurance.
The fine residence, just north of the
Halfway House." that was also de-
stroyed, was the property of Circuit
Judge r. r. Boise, who places his loss
at $1,000. Mr.. Boise had the building
insured for $3.50 with the Lower Co
lumbia Fire Relief Association.
The Boise residence was occupied
| by G. l.. Smith and family, recent ar
rivals from Iowa Mr.. Smith is EN-
ployed on the construction force of the
Salem Light, Power & Traction Com
pany. He was successful in saving
the bulk of his effects, but most of the
clothing of the family, particularly the
wearing apparel of four young child
ren were entirely destroyed. Con
tributions of clothing in this
relation would be thankfully received
Mr.. Smith had no insurance on his
goods. and his loss is severe. He is
said to be an honorable and industri-
GUS man, deserving of the assistance
Of charitable people.
Origin of the Fire Unsolved.
The origin Of the destructive blaze
remains uneXplainable. The fire was
| first discovered about o'clock, and
in 80 minutes the building was in
ashes. Mr. Osburn, the tenant, says
there had been no fire in the building
since Friday noon. Mr.. LaBranch
| believes that the fire started from a
lighted cigarette or cigar stump.
Department Did Not Assist.
In accordance with the recent ruling
made by the Salem city council, the
fire department did not attend the
FIRE, which was outside of the city
limits. The city's fire whistle did its
initiatory service in sounding an
alarm OF fire, and the department re-
sponded, but when the blaze had been
located outside the city limits, IL re-
turned to its quarters, but probably
could not have saved the property. The
vigorous work of the spectators was
all that prevented the flames spreading
to second residence on the north OF
the Boise building.
Fire Boys Censured.
Some censure was made of the fire
department for not attending the fire,
but the council, at a recent meeting,
unanimously voted that the city's fire
department should not he allowed 10
do duty outside of the city limits. The
members of Salem's legislative body
feel that if rural districts are to en-
joy and receive the benefits of munic.
ipal government, they must become in
corporated, and assume their proper
tionate share of the cost of maintain
ing the same.
No One Weeping.
While the blaze is regretted because
of the destruction of the adjoining res
idence property, few are grieving over
the complete removal of the Half
Way House" which has been an eye.
sore TO that section of the city, at
times, for several years.
A Historical Building.
The Halfway House" is a land
mark In the history of Salem Il was
built early in the SOS by Governor