The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1909-07-17
THE FIRE FRIDAY MORNING
Eugene Geraty Residence Has
Narrow Escape-Baru and
Contents Destroyed

The alarm Of fire Friday morning
about 10 o'clock was caused by a fire
breaking out in the barn Of Eugene
Geraty. about 80 feet north of his
residence on South Main street.
John Greenwood went Tito the barn
at 10 O'Clock. when he discovered the
inside Of the structure ablaze. Realiz.
ing that it would be futile to attempt to
subdue the fire alone, he Immediately
ran an automobile that was housed in
the barn out to a place of safety, then
going to the Geraty residence he aroused
the inmates. informing them that the
barn was afre, and then came to town
to give the general alarm.
The fire companies quickly responded
and in a short time were at the scene Of
the confagrstiou. After some little
delay 10 reeling of the hose from the
carts to make connection with the fire
plug. the water was turned on, but the
pressure was found to be entirely made.
quate to meet the emergency, the fire
men being unable to throw the water to
the comb Of the roof of the residence
near by. BY the aid OF a bucket brig.
ade. however. citizens kept that struc-
ture thoroughly soaked with water,
while the fremen turned their attention
to the burning barn. but the fire had by
that time gained such Roadway hat it
wal impossible to save the building aud
its contents. consisting Of several tons
Of baled hay. There were also a number
OF cords Of wood piled up inside the
corral near the barn, which was also
totally destroyed.
The Water Company came in for a
good share Of adverse criticism by near-
ly all those who witnessed the fire on
account Of not turning on the pressure
from the fire tanks. With the start
the fire had, and one Of our high winds
blowing. there would have been a good
chance Of the whole town being de-
stroyed.
Fortunately the wind was from the
southwest, only a light breeze blowing.
otherwise the handsome residence of
Mr.. Geraty would also have been re.
duced to ashes.
Mr.. Geraty being asked IL he could &C.
count for the starting of the fire said
81 cannot. but l am thoroughly salts
fed that it was not Of incendiary origin.
No one had been in the barn since last
night, that l know OF, until Mr.. Green.
wood went in there this morning aud
discovered the place in flames"
While the SENTINEL desires it to be
explicitly understood that it does not
wish to lay the blame of this fire on any
one. still il is O well known fact that a
number of small boys in Eureka have
been seen quite frequently of late with
punches of matches In their possession.
Many of these boys are known to be
trying to learn to smoke cigarettes. and
it is only natural when they desire to do
so that they would seek some secluded
place like a barn to carry out their de.
sire. 1t would be well for parents to
admonish their children from carrying
matches about their person, especially
at this season Of the year. when every
thing is as dry as a finder. box.
The total loss is estimated to be $3.50.
the property consisting Of a barn. cor
rails, several tons of hay and a number
Of cords Of wood. Mr.. Geraty considers
his loss trivial when he realizes what a
close call he had in losing his fine resi-.
dence.