The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-03-16
Opera House Was Destroyed as Well
as a General Store.
ED. BARNES PRINCIPAL SUFFERER.
Only Saloon in Town Falls a Prey to
the Flames, Insurance About
Half.

From Tuesdays Daily.
Fire wiped out the opera house, two
store buildings and damaged other prop
erty at Vernon Center early this morn
ing. For time there was danger of
the entire town falling prey to the
flames, but hard work on the part of
the firemen averted such a catastrophe
frozen chemical engine delayed the
labors of the fire fighters and allowed
the blaze to gain Roadway to such an
extent that two brick buildings were
consumed before a stop could be put to
the work of destruction.
1t was about four o'clock when fire
was discovered in the basement of the
Ed Barnes building on Main street, and
Willie the fremen were attempting to
work the frozen chemical engine, the
flames were spreading rapidly. Fearful
that the entire town would be wiped off
the map, aid was asked of Mankato,
Lake Crystal and Amboy. These towns
responded, but before the arrival of the
outside iremen, the local department
had the fire we'll in hand, but not until
the Barnes building with all its stock
of general merchandise had been con-
sumed and the building adjoining,
brick structure owned by the Mime
apolis Brewing company, was also de-
stroyed. The saloon of L. w. Hanson
was located in this building and all
the stock and fixtures were burned.
Both buildings were of brick Frank
Forkumback's stock of boots and shoes
was in the Ed Barnes building, and cit
liens succeeded in removing them with
out much loss. Wooden buildings on
each side of the burned structures were
damaged somewhat. That on the east
side is owned by A. Morrison and is
not occupied. The one on the west side
is owned by A. G.. Halverson and in it
he conducts a restaurant.
The Barnes building was a two story
| affair and one of the finest in Vernon
| Center. The lower floor and basement
| were given up to the general merchan-
disc stock owned by Mr.. Barnes and
| the opera house was on the second floor.
During the fire one of the burning walls
fell over on the Minneapolis Brewing
company's building and set it on fire.
Then the efforts of the firemen were d-
| rected toward preventing a spread of
the flames, and in this they succeeded
admirably. Buildings across the street
were somewhat charred, but the dam
| age can be repaired without an outlay
of much money.
| Mr. Barnes suffers a loss of about
$4,000. His building cost $4,000 and
was insured for $4,000. His stock was
valued at $4,000 and was insured for
$4,000. He will no doubt rebuild as
soon as weather conditions will permit.
The Minneapolis Brewing company
building was erected at cost of $4,000
and was insured for $500. Mr.. Han
son, who conducted the only saloon in
| Vernon Center, loses heavily. His stock
and fixtures were destroyed entirely.
They were valued at $500 and his in
surance will run up to but 81 500. No
attempt was made to get the stock and
fixtures out of the building.
Mr.. Halverson's building is damaged
to the extent of $500 and is protected
| by $500 insurance. His stock was re-
moved during the fire.
This was the first fire in the history of
Vernon Center and while the loss is
heavy, yet it is fortunate that the peo-
| ple there are suffering no worse calam-
lity. No accidents occurred during the
| excitement.
The fire started in the flooring near
the oil can in the basement of the
Barnes building.
A short time since the citizens of
Vernon Center voted on waterbonds. 1t
was supposed that they carried. At any
rate the bonds were sold to eastern par
ties. Yesterday, however, the bondhold
ers wrote to the village authorities and
informed them that they had made dis
covery that the bonds really lacked
three votes of a majority. 1t is needless
to say that Vernon Center will vote
water bonds at an election to be called
soon, after the experience of this morn
ing.
When Chief Beach received a tele-
phone message early this morning, ask
ing for aid, he had the bell give three
taps, at 5:45 a. m. to call the firemen
for out of town service, but the whis
tie blew the alarm for box 81 A hose
cart was placed on freight car, and
passenger coach attached, and a switch
engine took the special to Vernon Cen.
ter as soon as possible. When the fire.
men reached Vernon Center, the fire
was under control, and their services
were no longer needed. Those who ac-
companied the hose cart to Vernon Cen
ter were Chief Beach and Capt. Funk
of the central station, and Volunteer
Firemen Throdahl, John Jost, w. Klug-