The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-30

ton Of the building. DR.. c. B. Van
Horn. who occupies. with his family
four Of the ROOMS on the second floor,
was attra cted by the noise and run
ming to the hallway over which the sky
light is built, noticed the flames licking
their way downward and the smoke
rolling out Of the opening He 1mIne-
diately turned in the alarm over the
telephone and within a few minutes
the equipment from station Nos. 2
and 4 were on the scene. By this time
the smoke was pouring out OF the
dormer windows from the roof in a,
thick cloud and in a number of places
the flames had eaten their way
through the roof, especially through
the rear. Lines Of hose were I'M
mediately run from the front side and
rear Of the building and flood or
water was poured into the garnet
where the smoke was so dense tnat
no adequate idea of the extent or the
ire could be obtained. Masses of old
clothes in chests and barrels and "
ing loose together with rubbish az
g0rded fine fuel and when the water
was started to play upon the roof the
whole interior of the garnet was swept
with flames.
within ten minutes the flood Of
water had conquered the advance or
the Ere and in five minutes more IL
was simply question or putting Out
the lingering fire in the smOulderlng
heaDs of rubbish and clothing. A
couple Of lines Of hose from the chem
zeal wagon was then utilized in putting
out the last stray embers-
The fire los sis confined entirely 70
the garnet and roof which is badly
charred, in some places on the south
and west portions of building the
flames broke through the roof. Add1-
fional loss will be experienced from
the water. The plaster has been
weakened or torn through on the en-
tire second story by the water which
also percolated through the floors and
poured down upon the first floor.
The interior furnishings of the
building with the exception Of those
belonging Immediately to DR.. Van
Horn were not valuable A free dis
pensary was maintained on the upper
floor and considerable valuable med
zeal equipment was contained in the
four rooms Of the dispensary. Eleven
hundred and forty dollars was the
value Of this equipment, purchased
this spring by DR. Van Horn. A DOR
fnltorys sewing room and the living
rooms OF the Van Horns occupied the
remainder of the second story. On the
first floor were the day nursery and an
assembly room. No children were in
th Q building when the fire started.
The insurance carried on the build
4ag amounted to $4,000, while $500 adj
aitional was carried by DR.. Van Horn
on his personal belongings ST don't
think that the fire loss viii exceed
$1,000 to the building" said Chief WI
marth.
Il don't believe that the loss will ex-
ceed 5000, maybe il won't be in excess
O. $500 or sI00," said Judge T. F. Gar
Yer. trustee Of the association. 'sDr. Van
Horn VIII lose quite heavily as he had
valuable belongings. We viii be oblig-
cd TO be shut UP temporarily for two OF
thTee days I presume, and il IS possible
that we may have to open somewhere
else until we get Strengthened out.
Ihe property was valued at about
$500 with an estimated value on the
building Of from $4,000 to $1,000
The building is a substantial two
story pressed brick structure, with a
1rontage of 80 feet on Jackson street
and extending back on Fourth street Il
feet. 1t was presented to the Topeka
Erovident association by Norris i. Gage
last spring as a recognition of its work
IT is entirely free from encumbrance
The association furnishes a free
nursery to the children of the DOOR. Sc
cures employment for the unenpfoved
and extends free medical aid. It Is
maintained by charity
The trustees Of the institution are
Judge T. +. Carver, W. NJ. Forbes. J
". Robinson, William ATacferran, Judge
q. A. Huron, Rev. S. A. Morrow, ]. 2
Nissleys Thomas Page and Mrs. L. z
Thorpe The secretary is DR.. c. B. Var
Horn and the assistant secretary is hi;
wife.