Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-08-09
WAREHOUSE or G. G. TAFT q CO.
IN DEs MONIES TOTALLY
DESTROYED.
VALUABLE TOBACCO STOCK
AND OTHER GOODS LOST
Taft company's Loss Totals 100000,
J. While Building Was Valued at &c..
o0o-Insurancs Of About Half Carried
on Structure and centsnts-Firs Of
Unknown Origin.

Des Moines. Aug. Sire Of I'M
known origin destroyed the two story
warehouse of C. C. Taft & Co. at
Third and Vine street last night. The
entire stock was consumed, the loss
being estimated at 100000 by E. T.
Scott. manager of the company. The
building, which was owned by M.
F. Hubbell. Son & Co, was valued at
$2O.000 and insurance was carried to
the amount Of $4,000. 1t is estimated
ried on the Taft company's stock. All
the valuable papers are in the fireproof
vault. and the fire only slightly dam
aged the office. Volunteers from the
company's employees, together with
firemen, were able to rescue all the
books and files not in the vault.
The building adjoining, occupied by
the C. G. Prouty Company as ware
house and owned by w. r. Prouty,
600, according to Mr.. Prouty. He did
not think he would have any loss, I'M
less water damaged the sugar stored in
TIC OuAlOlASs3 L AO SAaASJ .AsOSSA NoAA
mission. Company, occupying the main
floor Of the building, moved out it's
valuable papers before the water leak
had about $3.50 worth of furniture in
the office. ~
u. Fire Starts Quickly.
The fire was discovered by c. E.
| Miller, merchant police. at 7:s0 O'clock.
4 1n,< 40 hi lc
minutes before and saw no trace of
had left the building shortly before
he made his rounds and they found
no trace of fire. When he returned
deavoring to send in the alarm. Several
fire companies in the outlying districts
were called in. and more hose was sent
for from the central station.
4 The fire was Of unknown origin
There was large quantity Of nuts
stored in: the rear Of the building on
the second floor, and it was here that
the first fire was discovered and the
smoke was pouring out OF the windows
in this section Of, the warehouse first.
to the second floor, and only broke
Iii - W lie lOWCIs AlOOA WAC1A ShC OSdAAAS
were burned away. Vi
The Taft company carried stock of
tobacco. nuts. lockwood for making
baskets and crates, and in the first
floor and: basement a quantity Of fruit
was stored. One half a carload Of sugar
for use in the manufacture of ice
cream also was stored in the building.
! Stock Worth 500, 900.
The tobacco in stock was valued at,
$4,000 by z. T.. Scott, manager for the
company. Mr.. Scott was unable ac-
curately to estimate the rest of the
stock. but believed the total loss was
at least 100000. The amount of in
suraEce rcarried by the Taft company
he was unable to state. Mr.. Scott wac
unable to find how the fire started.
One of the spectacular features of
the conflagration was the protection Of
sixty gallons Of gasolene from the
flames. This dangerous fluid was con-
tanned in tanks and was gotten out of
the lower floor and into the alley be-
fore it could be damaged. Streams of
water played around the room where it
was stored. and all but small amount
was taken out Of the flames. The
gasolene was used for the motor truck
delivery wagons which the company
maintains.