The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-03-17
Courageous Women Aid in the lizard Battle
Against the Blaze; Help Is Obtained
From Mankato
Loss Is Estimated at Between $l75,OOO and
100000; Brands From the Burning
Fly Over Town

ing's elevator, II. NJ, Quinn's store
and j. r. Norton's lumber office Il
was about six o'clock before the
fire was gotten under full control,
and the embers were still shoulder
ing this forenoon.
The fire protection of the village
is system of watermains fed by
an elevated tank. This system
worked excellently, and saved the
village from practically total destruc-
ton. There was good supply of
water, in spite of the fact that
about every property owner in the
town was using water to wet down
his house and other buildings. The
demand upon the system was extra.
ordinary, yet it made good and saved
the town. -
A perfect rain storm of sparks
and burning brands few over the
village from the mill and elevator.
both of which were large frame
structures. About every building was
endangered, and everybody, men and
women alike, were out with buck-
cts of water and wet blankets, put
ting out the sparks as fast as they
fell. 1t was cold work, as the mer-
curry stood about zero and the wind
must have been blowing fifty or
sixty miles an hour Forgetting the
cold and discomfort, the villagers
thought only of saving their prop
erty and that of their neighbors, and
remained on duty until all danger.
was over.
A large warehouse located 800
feet southeast of the burning struc-
lures. was particularly endangered, )
but it was saved through the most
heroic efforts. Other, smaller build
ings located hear by frequently
caught fire from sparks, but the
firemen and volunteers put the
flames out as fast as they started
The village authorities stationed
men in all parts of the village to
assist in protecting the buildings,
and to aid property owners in put
ting out fires. Perfect order pre-.
vailed, and all went about the bust.
ness of saving the village with the
GOODNESS born of courage :.
Mill Loss Blow to Village.
The loss of the mill will be a
blow to the village, but all will
hope that the owners will see fit to
rebuild it. The mill. SO Mr.
Schweitzer says, has been a paying
proposition for the present owners.
and this being the case the prospect
of rebuilding ought to be good.
Mankato extends its sympathy to
it's neighboring village on the sout1
and takes off its hat to the spirit
that was shown by its men and
women in one of the most trying
events Of their lives. 1t congratu-
lates the village that it is still in
the Blue Earth family group of pros
porous villages and towns.
Mr.. Hotaling. in speaking over the
telephone of the fire, stated today
that in some places sparks fell so
deeply that they could be shoyeled;
up by the busbel. :.
The parties interested in the de-
stroyed mill live in Minneapolis.
They are Messrs. Gooding and
Gregory and the Dennison estate.
The Mapleton mill was built more
than twenty-five years ago by Moses
Gates, a former resident Of this city.
1t has been operated by several DIFF
ferent men and companies.
Twenty Men Out Of Employment.
The fire throws about twenty men
out of employment. The elevator
contained about 10000 bushels OF
wheat. This building was separate
from the mill, and the mill office
was between the two
So great was the wind that fires
were started by sparks at distances
far remote, even out in the country.
The smoke swept through and en-
veloped the entire village. The he
roism of the villagers under all of
these trying circumstances is some
thing remarkable.
Fortunately. no one was injured
during the fire.
Will Observe jackson Day. =
Washington, March 15.-Jackson
day, the birthday of Andrew Jackson,
"Old Rough and Ready" will be OBJ
served this evening with a banquet
which will be attended by all the
democrats of prominence in this city.
IN NIL