The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-07-13

A frame house north of the Lind
sey building, owned by J. D. Dykes
and occupied by Frank Solel with a
blacksmith shop, burned next. From
the lumber yard, the residence of
j. D. Dykes caught and burned
quickly. Two residences back of Eli
Mul}inax, owned by him and ocu-
pied by Miss Ora Baker and Mrs.
Mary Moore, were consumed. The
fire spread from these to a couple OF
barns to the north.
Aid Comes From Trenton.
While the first block was burning
and it was seen that the fire was be-
yond control, a telegram was sent to
Trenton for aid. Their entire fire
company with reels of hose, were
loaded into two cars and were pulled
up by a switch engine. They made
fast run, but when they arrived
nothing could be done as the water
was out Their willingness to aid us
however, is to be commended, and
Princeton people certainly feel CRATE
full to Trenton and her brave fire
laddies.
The Rock Island Railway Com
pany has a stand-pipe and water
system at the depot. When the city
use of their plant. There was no way
to get the water into our mains and
it could not be used.
News of the big fire spread rapid
ly. People of other towns and the
surrounding country heard of it and
many of them came in on trains and
in vehicles. The streets We're crowd
ed with people until after midnight.
The Injured.
Quite number were overcome
with heat while fighting the fire
ing buildings. Among these were
Liant Campbell, Fred Thompson, and
Sam Davenport. Some others from
the country also suffered, but we are
unable to get their names. All have
| recovered, however.
More Than Five Blocks Burn.
| In few minutes time the fire con-
sumed all the buildings on five
blocks and five buildings on another
block.
From the harness and implement
store and the Wilcox barber shop in
the Bailey building but little was
saved. Nothing was taken from
Bailey's store, even many of the
firms valuable papers being burned
One chair was taken out Of the bar
Der shop. Counters, fixtures and a
great deal of merchandise were NOV
ed from most of the other buildings
but all is so badly damaged that the
loss is great.
Big Vaults are Standing.
While two county Offices (probate
Judge and treasurer) were in the
burned section, it is believed that no
records nor valuable papers were
lost. A big safe in the office of NJ.
C.. Wolf holds his books. When the
fire broke out Judge Hadley Alley
rushed to his Office and stored the
records and valuables i'm the vault.
This strong room is still standing,
and while it is too hot at this time
to get into, it is believed that every
thing in it is safe. Some fixtures,
blanks and supplies in this office
which could not be moved were
destroyed. The big vault of the Far
mers Bank in this building is stand
ing and it is believed things in it are
safe. Three big iron safes are now
covered with the debris in the base
mnt of the Lindsey building.
Burning embers were carried by
the wind to a great distance, some
travelling several blocks and alight-
ing on houses and other buildings as
far as the Girdner addition. The dry
condition of things caused a careful
lookout to be kept. Several houses
in the north part of the city we're ig-
nited by the embers, but were ex-
tinguished. Clothing hanging on
line in the yard of H. P. Cisco, were
damaged, many holes being burned
in them.
Fire Notes.
The Farmers Bank is doing bust
ness in the office at the Monarch
Store.
The fire did not leave DR.. Johnson
with even change of clothes.
Ira T. Blakely, who lived at the
Buren, Hotel, was driven from home
by the fire. He spent the night on
top of pile of mattresses near the
band stand.
The streets are yet piled high with
goods and merchandise removed
from the buildings. Not all of the
homeless have yet found places.
Dan Wilcox, manager of the tele-
phon exchange, announces that the
company will erect a new building
just as soon as the ruins of the old
one can be cleared away. He has al
ready connected up the Bell lines and
will have all the country lines con-
nected to switchboard in a short |
time. The Princeton exchange will
not be rebuilt until the new building
is ready and a new switchboard can
be secured
The Farmers Store have their stock
piled up in the basement of Casteels
Shore ~ 80 III M