Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-03-16
.RIPON HAS A BIC FIRE.
Disastrous Blaze Causes Loss Of
$4,000.
IS $4,000.
Pedrick Hall, fremont Hotel and Ma
sonic Temple Destroyed--Oshkosh
Sends Prompt Assistance.

Ripon, Wis, March 12.-[ Special. i
Ripon suffered one of the most disastrous
fires i'll it's history this morning. The to-
tai loss is $4,000, with $4,000 insur-
ance. The fire, which started in the rear
of the grocery store Of Julius Buchholz
at about $50 a. M, ragged for nearly
three hours and swept through the Ma
sonic block Of three stories, the Pedrick
opera hall block, and Quilted the
fremont hotel of four stories, owned by
Carl Helm, besides scorching adjoining
offices and barns. The buildings burned
were old ones, with the exception of the
Masonic block, which was erected within
the past ten years.
The Pedrck block consisted of two
stories occupied by r. Kramer, dry goods,
and J. Buchholz, groceries, and a large
dance hall on the second floor which was
formerly used for an opera house. Moth
ing remains of the block but the side
walls.
Masonic Block Wrecked.
The Masonic block is a complete
wreck, as is the fremont house, only
ing is owned by p. d. Neer and was oc-
cupied by +. r. Eversz, shoes; the Ripon
Light and Power company's office, David
Thomas, insurance; the Masonic order,
as club and lodge rooms, and by the Of
fee of the Ripon Commonwealth. the
oldest newspaper in the city, edited by T..
II. Ellsworth.
Old Landmark Gone.
The fremont house was an old land
mark and was formerly known as the
Mapes house and has been standing forty
years. The local fire department battled
bravely with the flames, but it was decid-
ed to ask for help from Oshkosh, and a
detachment of firemen with hose cart ar
rived from that city at 30. With this
reinforcement the flames were practically
under control at 8 o'clock.
Had a strong wind been blowing the
entire west side of Main street would
have suffered from the flames. No cause
is known for the disaster.
The losses and insurance are:
p. D. Neer. Masonic building, loss, $4,000;
insurance, $500: Chem, fremont house.
loss, $1,000; insurance. 5000; +. X. EyersZ,
loss, $4,000; insurance, $44oO; c. H. Ellis
ance, $1,000; J. BuchholZ. loss. $1,000; insur-
ance, $1,000: S. NJ. and T. S. Pedrick, build
ing loss. $1,000: insurance. $1,000; Ripon
Light and Water Co., loss, $1,000; insurance,
5000: r. Kramer, loss, $4,000; insurance,
$1,000 Zobel Bros. loss, $1,000; covered by
| Insurance.; DR.. f. A. Eyerhardt, loss, $500,
$500, covered; Masonic lodge, loss, $500;
| insurance, $11OO
Fondy Ready to Aid.
Fond du Lac, Wis, March 12-[Spe-
cial. Chief Fire Marshal Coffin an
four of his men and 1000 feet of hose
were ordered to Ripon this morning by
Mayor Bishop in response to a call from
that city. While waiting for a special
train here, word was received that the
fire was under control
Lake Mills Store Burned.
Lake Mills, Wis, March 12-[ Spe
cial. Fire broke out this morning il
the Fargo block. occupied by Sinaikc
Brothers store, called THE Fair Their
loss is estimated at $15,00O insurance
$4,000. DR.. c.. D. Brayton, dentist. lost
| 5000, no insurance. Dr. J. B. Stair los
5000. no insurance. \. A. Falk lost $500
insurance $500. The damage to the build
ing was $500, fully insured.
| The blaze was smothered and the dam
age is largely from smoke. fire and water
! All the heavy plate glass windows Were
| broken in and the stock is entirely ruined