The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-08
fire |sF|RsT VISITOR.
UNPLEASANT RECEPTION IS Elk
TENDED NEW COMERS.
House Occupied By Family From Iowa
Badly Damaged Early This Morn
ing; Mrs. Priebi Awoke to Find
Herself Almost Smothered and She
Barely Escaped On-Rush of Flames;
Furniture Destroyed.
From Tuesdays Daily

FROM ueSudyS OdtIy.
The house at 3l3 Glenwood avenue
was badly damaged by fire early this
morning, and the sole occupant at the
time, Mrs. May Priebi, who had just
moved To the city from Webster City
Iowa, narrowly escaped with her life in
her night robe, and all of her wearing
apparel and household goods were de-
stroyed. Mrs. Priebi moved in Fri
day last, after f. E. Hamond and
family had moved ont to their own
house block away, and she had not
yet mpacked her goods, which We're
boxed up. She had set up stove,
and slept on Il couch i'm the dining
room. The night being cold and windy,
Mrs. Priebi bnilt "A good fire before
retiring for the night.
Was Nearly Smothered.
Soon after one O'Clock this morning
Mrs. Prebi was awakened and found
herself nearly smOthered. one is sub
ject to asthmatic attacks, and when
she found the room filled with smoke
she ran out on the porch 10 get a
breath of fresh air. She was just in
time. for the flames and smoke filed
the room the next instant, and she
could not return. William Dunn was
returning home from his work ut the
depot ut this time, and seeing Mrs.
Priebi's predicament, he gave her his
overooat TO put on and ran TO the
nearest fire alarm box, No. 81, and
turned in an alarm. The fire de-
pariment soon arrived. but the build
ing was wrapped in flames by this
time. The nearest hydrant was more
than a block away and it was neces-
sary to lay 650 feet OF hose The
stream of water was played on the
fire. and in a short time the flames
were Snbdned, but not before The rear
part of the house had been nearly
burned down. Ii is thought that the
front part can be repaired, although
the interior is badly burned.
House Owned BY MI. Walrath.
The house is two story frame
building. owned by a Mr.. Walrath, who
lives on Agency hill. and is insured.
Mrs. Priebi carried insurance on her
goods. in Iowa. Her husband is Il
real estate man and is at present in
Sonth Dakota. She has two children,
hat they are still in school at WeD-
ster City. The only thing that was
saved that belonged to her was the
couch upon which she slept. This was
carried ont by the first arrivals. Mrs.
Priebi was entertained last night by
neiehbors, and supplied with clothing.
Her loss is Il heavy one, as it includes
a piano, and furniture of a fine quail
ity. 1t is regrettable that such i'll
lnrk should have attended the removal
of the family 10 Mankato.
1t is not known exactly how the
fire started. but il is thought that it
may have started from defective
fluc, or from the stove standing too
near the partition wall and the heat
igniting the woodwork
The Insurance Carried
Mrs Priebi moved TO North Man
kato Il month ago. and occupied Nj,
Strickland's house in North -,ankato
until she could get the Walrath
house April /. She values her house.
hold goods and wearing apparel at
81 500. and carried $1,000 of insurance.
The house was valued at $500. AM
Mr.. Walrath carried 81 900 insurance
The loss on the goods is total, and
the damage to the house is expected
to practically equal the insurance. o.
w Walker has the insurance on both
the house and goods. The adjuster
is expected TO arrive tonight or tOmOr
row.
The fremen were delayed because
Mr.. Dunn did not remain at the box
10 notify them where the hre was.
People turning in alarms should re-
main ut the boxes until the firemen
arrive.
+. II. Kelly formerly owned the
house, but last fall traded it for a