Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-11-27
Fifteen Thousand Dollar Resi-
dence Badly Damaged by
Fire EARLY Today
PROBABLY RESPONSIBLE
Firemen Work Hard to Overcome the
Blaze, But the Fire Was Hard to
Handle, Owing to its Breaking Out
in Several Places--lnsurance Will
Not Cover The Lose.


The beautiful home of Mr.. and Mrs.
II. A. Church and DR.. and Mrs. G. G..
Cottle, at the corner OF Center and
Grant streets, which was also occupied
as a residence by Superintendent f..
L. Coffeen, of the public schools and
family, was Quilted by fire early this
morning. While it is the opinion of
experts that faulty electric wiring
was responsible for the blaze such is
not absolutely known to be the case
owing to the condition of the charred
timbers and present state OF he wir-
ing.
The fire was first discovered at 1880
when Mr.. Church, awakened by the
smell of smoke, went up stairs, at a
point near CRATE, where Mrs Cottle
had had a fire during the day. His
first impression was that the fire
would not be serious, and the mem
.bers of the household attempted to
extinguish 1t by carrying water. See
ing that the blaze was getting beyond
control Mr.. Church attempted to turn
work. The telephone was then used,
but these preliminaries had given the
fire an excellent start, and 1t was I'M
der great Roadway before the fire de-
partment could arrive.
Fire Hard to Handle,
The Church. Cottle home covered
much more ground area than is usual
in residences, and with extensive at
tics above, where the fire could not be
discerned until the flames burst thru
the roof made the blaze hard one to
cope with. The east wing was all
burned and 1t total wreck. The fire
was considered out at this, point once,
and the firemen were turning their at
tention to another part Of the build
ing, when, without any warning, the
flames shot thru the roof again, as if
they were breaking out afresh. In the
west part Of the residence the fire got
thru sthe roof, but for the most part
the roof is in pretty good shape. The
attic, however, over the entire house,
was completely Quilted.
Considerable Contents Saved.
While Mr.. Church and DIR. Cottle
will suffer heavily from the loss OF
their homes contents, considerable
portion Of the household effects was
saved. considering the magnitude Of
the blaze. The elegant parlor furni-
ture was all destroyed, including the
rich upholstered goods, and a solid
mahogany table that in itself cost
$3.50. Mr.. and Mrs. Coffeen saved
some Of their furniture, but the loss %
each Of the families will be heavy at
best
Insurance Will Not Cover Loss.
The Church Cottle home cost to
build $4,000. Only $500 insurance
was carried at the time of the fire. Mr.
Church has been carrying $780, but
a week or two ago allowed $4,000 to
lapse. Mr.. Church and Mr.. Coffeen
carried $1,000, and DIR. Cottle
$500. 1t is believed that Mr.. Coffeen's
loss will be covered by this amount.
Most Of the contents, however, are
more or less damaged by smoke and
water.
The Churches and Cottles have been
planning to spend the winter in Cali
fornia, and DR.. Cottle and daughter left
Sunday evening. Mr.. and Mrs. Church
had expected to leave tomorrow morn
ing, and Mrs. Cottle and son planned
to leave Wednesday. Mr.. Church's
plans have now been altered, and he
will remain in the city indefinitely,
looking after rebuilding the house.
Carpenters were at work figuring on
the plans today.
As to Fires Origin.
It appears from all indications that
the fire originated from defective
electric light wiring, altho such may
not be the case. Mr.. Church at first
thought that the CRATE fire was re-
sponsible, but he IS not fully satisfied
that that was the cause City Electric
clan Schneider is of the opinion that the
wiring of the old part of the house
was defective and started the blaze,
and Chief Kirby, Of the fire depart
ment, holds the same view. Superin-
stendent Bowe of the Marshalltown Tel
ephone Company, and a representative
of the Marshalltown Light, Power and
Railway Company, inspected the
wreckage today, and both think that
wires were responsible.
Flames Burst Into Bed Room.
It is considered extremely fortunate
that no one was injured in the fire. Mrs.
Cottle and son were awakened by the
flames bursting thru the floor into their
bed ROOM They escaped by making
their way thru the Church portion Of
the house.
FIRE TEAM RUNS AWAY.