Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-02-13

while most of the occupants were up and
dressed. Had it burned in the night or
on one of those terribly stormy days, there
is no doubt but there would have been
loss of life and much damage to surround.
ing property.
Harry Flynn, the cook, said the first
he knew about it was by one Of the pa
tients running running down to the kitch-
en- and giving the alarm He seized two
buckets of water and ran up to the sec
ond floor in one of the northwest rooms,
where the ceiling and floor we're all on
fire. He saw Immediately that the build
ing could not be saved and set about at
once to get out his own things and also to
help others.
There were between thirty and forty pa
tients and there was d great rush by all
of them who were able to save themselves
and their belongings. Some were as
sisted to places of safety in the neighbor-
hood by neighbors and men. who turned
out at orce and lent willing hand.
Some of the patients lost trunks, cloth
ing and money, but all felt thankful they
got out with their lives.
While the fire was raging and had
crept into the dining room, where the
breakfast was being served, John Reeves,
who was busily engaged in the work Of
rescue, heard the cries of a little child and
lte1nuaroI ~ etill ~ tho n hla altar all
others had left the building, reaching out
its arms for help He rushed IN and
saved the little fellow from certain death
in the flames.
The property was purchased of M. S.
Boss about three years ago by Mr. Spin
ney shortly after his sanitarium at Reed
City burned and he had laid out several
thousand dollars in Improvements during
the time. He was just getting the busi-
ness on paying basis and contemplating
more Improvements in the spring The
loss to him is heavy one, but the doctor
is man. who although over seventy
years of age, is one of those energetic
characters you cannot down, and although
he has not yet laid his plans, it is safe tc
say he will get busy soon and there vii
be something doing at the Corners yet.
The sanitarium was an old Landmark
and everyone in this vicinity, especially
the old settlers, are sorry to see 1t wipec
out. 1t was originally built by Ruff:
Cook in l845 or '46, more than sixty
years ago, and been kept as hotel unit
DR. Spnney purchased it. Additions haC
been made to it number of times unit
the structure was very large and com.
modious one. During war times anC
shortly after those days many dance,
were held in the hall, when there woulC
be from two to three hundred couple,
present. Everybody went to Cook
Corners to the dance
The doctor estimates his loss at abou
which was $4,000, carried in the w.
SandeIl agency He has leased for tenn
porary quarters two dwelling houses a
the Corners and will take care Of the pa
tients he now has as best he can. Thos
who have not gone to their homes o
friends are being comfortably cared 70
in the homes Of citizens in the vicinity.
1t is hoped that the doctor can arrang
matters TO rebuild a substantial and con
venient sanitarium on the old site.
BY hard work the j. D. Morse old home
stead and barns. standing just north O
the burning building, we're saved. Gin
ders from the fierce fire cover the Rroun
all about the Corners.
The doctor has had several offers to 10
cate in other places since the fire. loni
is after him with good Inducements, De
troit man, who owns large house nea
Trufant, offers to 60 in with him an
make a santarium there which he 10 cor