Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-12
Block and a Half of Buildings
Destroyed by Flames at an
Early Hour Today
THE LOSS is OVER 100000
Fire Engine Breaks Down and the De-
partment is Helpless Until Charlton
Come. to It's Aid On Special Train
List of the Losse.-eeneral News
of the State.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Abba, Nov. 12.-The worst fire in the
history of Abba occurred this morning,
when property valued at $250,00G was
destroyed. Arrival Of help on special
train from Charlton probably saved the
city from further destruction. The fire
started at 2 O'Clock and continued to
burn with terrible fierceness until .
1t would have stopped had not the
Charlton department arrived, as the
fire engine of the Abba department
had broken down and the town was
practically helpless before the march
Of the flames.
The fire started in the furnace room
OF the basement OF H. ]. Loves dry
goods store and had been burning for
perhaps half an hour or more be-
fore 1t was discovered. It was first
observed by an employe OF the hotel
who turned in an alarm at once. The
fire company was soon on the grounds,
but soon after the fire engine broke
down and 1t was Immediately impos-
sible to make the slightest headway
against the blaze. Charlton was tele-
graphed for help and the Burlington
road placed special at the disposal Of
the department. there. the company ar
irving here about half past four this
morning.
The building in which the fire orig
mated Is situated on the southwest
corner Of the square. The flames burn
ed for half a block on the square. but
at the alley successful stand was
made, only to find that sparks had set
fire to a barn block and half north
in the livery barn belonging to A. l..
McCrary. and that building. together
with all the buildings in the same block.
was destroyed. This block included the
Hawkeye Lumber Company's yard, the
loss on which Ia estimated at $25.o0G;
the marble works OF Hardin q Long
and the residences Of George and H. j.
Bramer.
The utmost confusion reigned from
the first and increased as the flames
continued to make headway. The
streets were filed with wildly ex-
cited people and merchants. whose
stores were located in the path Of the
fire made frantic efforts to get at least
a portion OF their goods to places Of
safety. The streets were piled full Of
articles OF every description and the
loss from damage TO goods IN the hur
ried moving Of the same as well as
the loss from smoke and water will be
very large. It is Impossible to get an
adequate report OF the insurance. but
estimates place the amount at about
100000, or q little less than one-hal:
the loss. 1t 10 the worst blow that AL
bia has ever received and proved tn.
fire protection wholly inadequate to the
needs Of the city.
Following is list OF the losses so
far as can be estimated at the present
time:
Hawkeye Lumber Company $4,000
Odd Fellows Lodge. building and
fixtures 10000
H. ]. Love. dry goods ........ 10000
George wilkins ................ $4,000
Abba State Bank .............. 1900
johnson Drug Co. ............ 1000
Harris Grocery Company ...... 10000
Strausburger & veerver ....... $4,000
Ottumwa Mfg. Co. ............ 10000
Bramer Bros. residences ...... 1000
Tobey & Beckett. cigar factory. 5000
Other smaller losses will bring
tAn total I'm IN y,rnhah11, mora thap