Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-04-21
FIRE LOSS.
A Daylight Blaze Plays Havoc With
the Old Scholfield Homestead.

|
Shortly before the hour of nine
O'Clock Wednesday morning parties
passing along Fourth street discovered
fire issuing from the roof of the old
Scholfield residence at the corner of
Fourth and Mcclellan streets. The
occupants of the house were at once
notified and the fire department called
by phone. The fire, as near as can
be learned, originated on the third
floor from defective chimney. The
building is old and the lumber dry as
powder. making it possible for the
| flames to spread quickly and when the
fire department reached the scene the
fire had worked its way into the par
titions and inner walls and was burn
ing fiercely. A hot flame was shoot
ing upward through the roof near
the main chimney, and to many it
looked as if the entire structure would
be destroyed The fire department,
however, executed good work and kept
the flames we'll confined and soon had
the fire well in hand 1t was an hour
or more later, though, before water was
turned off.
Before the flames were conquered
they licked up goodly portion of the
roof and third story and worked down
into the second story. The whole house
was more or less damaged from smoke
and water.
AS soon as it became known that the
residence was on fire, several hundred
people gathered and many of them
rendered valuable service in carrying
out articles from the house
Most everything was gotten out safe
| ly and carried to the G. w. Manson
residence, corner of Grant and Fourth,
where they were taken in charge by
number of people, who sorted them out
and turned them over to their owners
Much of the wearing apparel belong
| ing to school teachers and others room
ing in the house was soaked with water
and otherwise injured. Some lost
valuable articles and everyone in the
house is loser to more or less extent.
Many expressions of regret were
heard among the older persons there
Assem- bled, for the old residence has
associated with it many pleasant
memory of Wausau's early history. 1t
was the scene of many social gather
ing in an early day and the birthplace
of the Ladies' Literary club.
| The residence is known as the Schol-
field homestead. 1t was built in 1875
by Mrs. Mary Scholfield and at the
time was one of the largest and most
imposing residences in the city. Mrs.
Scholfield and family occupied it until
her death in 1898. Miss Margaret
Seholfield then occupied it until five
years ago when it was leased to Mrs.
Lake, who fitted it up as home for
| those who do not like the noise and
stir of hotel, and she made it very
home-like and pleasant for all. The
large surrounding lawn shaded by
beautiful maple trees, has added much
to the enjoyment of guests, and the
house has alxays been well filled with
people. At the time of the fire, in ad-
dition to Mrs Lakes family there were
eleven other people stopping in the
house. Many of these were school
teachers and as soon as Supt. S. b.
Tobey learned of the fire he called up
each one and asked her to dismiss
school for the forenoon and to hasten to
the fire and look after the effects saved
1t was wise thought, for the teachers
were enabled to be present and sort
ont from the confused pile what be-
longed to them and place their be-
longings where they could be dried out
and aired. Numerous citizens kindly
asked the burned out people into their
homes and the hospitality was accepted.
Mrs. Lake has rented the g. w. Manson
home and has fitted it up for the con-
venience of her guests until such time
as the Scholfield property is repaired or
she chooses to go elsewhere.
The burned building will be repaired
as soon as the insurance is adjusted.
The loss on the building amounts to
nearly $4,000, covered by insurance to
the extent of S., 900. Mrs. Lakes loss is
considerable, but she is also protected
by insurance
1t was lucky that the fire was con-
fined TO the Scholfield residence. There
was a light wind blowing from the
northwest and barn and other resi-
dences were endangered. The whole
block might have been destroyed. Had
the fire occurred in the night, it is pos
sible there might have been some
fatalities.