The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-18
AFTER THE FIRE.
Some of the Odd Incidents That
Happened at Hill City.

Hill City, Kan, March 18.-The people
of Hill City are getting over the scare
Of the, recent prairie fire which swept
through the town, destroying some 20
barns and a few residences, and for
years after they will be telling the
thrilling and funny "reminiscences which
happened at the time. Perhaps $50 men
and women were so scared that they
left their homes and went to the river,
three-quarters of a mile away, to keep
from being burned to death. And after
one has seen the place and heard the
stories as related by eye witnesses it
seems miraculous that any of the town
was saved and the death loss appalling.
One lady says she started with her bag
of silver, and scarcely let up until she
reached the Solomon river. In many
instances husbands and wives stayed at
home, fought the fire and saved their
homes. To such heroic men and women
is due the saving of thousands of dollars
worth of property which otherwise
would have burned.
Lieutenant Governor Hanna. whose
home is in Hill City, is of the opinion
that there will be more building here
this year than in any other town in the
Sixth congressional district. There are
about $4,000 in improvements already
in sight, which include a new school
house and Jail to take the place of those
destroyed by fire. The work of clean
ing up to rebuild the block of four
buildings burned during the early win
ter is under way. These buildings will
be the Farmers & Merchants bank,
that of D. j. Hanna. and the other two
will be built by the Masonic order Each
of these buildings viii be constructed
of stone and brick, 25x80 feet each and
two stories high. 1t is the intention of
the Masons to fit up one of the largest
and most complete temples in northwest
Kansas.
J. P. Pomeroy and L. Messick are
erecting substantial stone business
Ia
to commence work on the double store
building Of w. H. Hill, editor and pub
Usher of the Hill City Republican.
The Commercial hotel is undergoing a
complete change, and being enlarged.
This is the property of ]. Shoup, one of
the most progressive citizens of Hill
City, and a large grower of alfalfa and
one of the heaviest stock breeders of
Graham county.
The B. F. Poston residence when COM
pleted will be the most convenient,
modern and costliest home in Hill City.
1t will have a hot air furnace. 1t will
cost close to Sc. 500. Mrs. Poston is sure
it will be completed in time so they can
throw it open to their friends in July,
their silver wedding anniversary.
The new elevator of ]. F. Rowe, just
completed, was built for durability and
convenience 1t has a capacity for $4,000
bushels.
Many other lesser improvements are
tenant Governor Hanna has not exag-
gerated the facts in regard to the build
ing operations in Hill City for the year
1904.
Hill City home Ealent are presenting
Among the Breakers" to appreciative
audiences, the proceeds of which will go
toward the purchase of a fire apparatus
for the city.
A ]. Rice of Hill City, the wheat king
of Graham county and Kansas, believes
the wheat is all right so far as Graham
county is concerned. It is growing nice
ly, and looking healthy most every
where in the county.
Hill City has a complete telephone
system. thanks to Manager D. P. Sims.
f. D. Turck, local attorney for the
Union Pacific, will not decline the nomi-
nation if the Republicans of Graham
county want him for the legislature.