davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

Government saw and flour mill,
loss 100000, insurance unknown.
Besides many others who lost per
sonal effects which cannot be esti-
mated.
These figures show loss of
$290,00O, with an insurance Of ap-
proximately s125,000, 1t is safe to say
the loss will be nearer $350,00o, with
about one-half insured
The telephone companies lose
through the burning Of their poles
and the melting of their cables The
Bell lost the local exchange, the girls
having just time enough to report the
fire and skiddoo.
There was no loss of life, although
several tainted from the exertion of
fire.
-Four general stores, two blacksmith h
shops, two barber shops, three doc
tors offices, three pool halls, one drug
store, two lumber yards, one harness
shop, two hotels, one rstaurant, one
opera house, one laundry, two real
estate offices, one implement ware
house, one store room and hall above,
one tin shop, three garages, five barns,
five residences, besides other build
ings, were totally destroyed.
The fire was so fierce that it was
thought the Sterling hotel and gen
eral stores on the east side Of the
creek would surely go. At the Sterling
hotel four streams Of water were
played on the building during all of
the time, and the heat was so terrible
the men could hardly remain on the
roof to hold the hose. The wind
luckily shifted just at critical stage
and from that time on more confidence
was felt in being able to save every
thing in that section.
The usual strange things happened,
people being so excited they did things
which at this time has comical
effect. At the time it was anything
but funny.
Mondays Missoulian told the story
as viewed by special correspondent,
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

and bigger town than it was before
the conflagration.
Yesterday afternoon Roman pre-
scnted tragic, but interesting sight.
For miles around people had come to
gaze upon the scene of the disaster.
Blanketed Indians sat stolidly survey
ing the blackcned remnants Many
automobiles from Missoula and neigh
boring towns brought their quota. In
grim contrast to the crowd was the
scene of the conflagration. Clouds Of
smoke still curled from the heaps of
timber which represent Romans busi-
ness section. Adding to the general
air of desolation were the vaults OF
the Roman State Bank and the First
National Bank. which were still up
right and unharmed by the fierce
blaze which had swept around them
Occasionally an exploding can of pre-
serves would punctuate the silence.
The scene was not one to encourage
optimism, but the cheerfulness with
which the real sufferers accepted the
portion that fate had handed out to
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

and ii is SO accurate as to be worthy
of re- publications: II said:
Saturday the Roman business men
were struck dumb with the appalling
disaster, which, in an incredibly
short space of time, had wiped out the
work of the past three years and
brought the thriving town of Roman
back to the mark it had long left be-
hind. Yesterday morning the smoul
dering embers were still there to re-
mind them of their loss, but the night
seemed to have dul|ed the keen edge
of their grief and the spirit which
made Roman the thriving town that it
was prior to the disaster, became
manifest. On every hand were heard
plans of reconstruction. The feeling
of irreparable loss had been replaced
by desire to make Roman a better
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

longer for it to burn over the three
and one half blocks than ii has taken
to write it, In about one hour and
quarter the whole business section of
progressive, active, wide-awake Roman
was in ashes, the only remaining
buildings being the Sterling hotel and
general store. Menagers dry goods
store. the Edrnondson pool hall, the
Bateman livelT barn. Burland's black
smith shop and the Bigelow photo
graph gallery, al ON the east side of
Mud creek, and Miss Duplessis mill
linery store and j. r. O'Brien's gen.
eral store. on the west side of the
creek.
Where q short time before a
number of as fine general stores as
ore generally sees in inland towns
was mass of ruins; numerous people
were burned out of business and
homes: many. who a short time be-
fore We're travelling the road on Easy
street. found themselves practically
without anything. But not murmur
was heard, not a sign of loss of nerve.
That was not the calbre of the men
and women of Roman.
Very little was saved from any of
the burned stores or residences. The
time was so short between the alarm
of fire and the time when everything
was burned there was very little op-
portunity to save. In some instances
a little was carried out and this in
some cases was destroyed because it
was not removed far enough from the
burning buildings. Or. Fuhrer Ven-
tured into his garage when in great
danger and saved his automobile
Others saved some of the household
goods of the doctor and his wife and
most of his surgical instruments were
saved. The fixtures and valuable
papers of the Roman State Bank were
saved and all the papers of the First
National Bank. In the G'acier Drug
Company some show cases and some
drugs and other goods were carried
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

back again and took in the barber shop
of j. D. Glathart, the meat market
of H. NJ. Gehlert, DR.. Putney's office,
the Bradley jewelry store and music
room Of Whitney Bros. The opera
house was in the Central hotel build
ing. across the street to the east of
Pablo-Potvin's general store. The
fire caught in the Fred Potvin resi-
dence and spread to The Lumber
company's office, the B. H. Denison
residence, the Reservation Land &
Lumber company's implement ware
house, the Chinese laundry, William
Engle's residence, Andrew SINGERS
residence and barn and the residence
Of Robert Watson. occupied by Curtis
Jeffries and wife.
Before the Big store was on fire.
the wind had carried blazing sheet
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

them, made one feel as if after al the
disaster was to make the town
better one
a. j. Brewer, president of the Roman
State Bank, was conducting the affairs
of his institution in a building leased
temporarily. The contents of the
vault were not harmed and he esti-
mated the institutions loss at about
$3.50 The First National Bank will
reopen within few days, as soon as
it can find a suitable building.
Stanley Scarce. who was probably
the heaviest loser of all. is not the
kind to croak about his hard luck. He
had taken more precaution against fire
than any of the others and had lost
the most. His concrete firewalls
crumhled like. dust and proved to be of
no avail in stemmng the tide of
flame. Mr.. Sccarce let the contract
for a temporary building yesterday
afternoon and work is to be COM
menced at o'clock this morning. Mr..
Scearce announced that in place of
the destroyed building he would erect
freproof structure which would be
a credit to the town o. Roman. This
building win ,,e commenced as soon as
the construction OF the temporary
building has made ii possible for
business to get going again.
Andrew Stinger. whose hotel was
burned to the ground, will erect a
restaurant in its place. He feels
that the town OF Roman is just going
20 be good. Michael Pablo will begin
the reconstruction of his buildings
within a short time. The Pastime
pool han is to be rebuilt and in fact,
al of the owners of the property
new structures.
Mary theories were advanced in re-
gard to the origin of the fire, but the
one which seemed to have the most
credonce among the Roman people is
that tires We're being vulcanized in
Crawford & Clairmont's garage and
that wind from an open window blew
the flames into a pile of waste. This
is generally accepted as being the
cause of the disastrous fire.
r. S. Lusk was among the MiSSOula
men who went up to survey the situa-
tion at Roman yesterday. Upon his
return last night Mr.. Lusk was inter
viewed by a Missoulian reporter.
! THE people Of Roman are a plucky
lot" said Mr.. Lusk. They are not
dismayed hy the disaster and every
| man with whom I talked expressed
confidence in the future and the de-
termination to rebuild and get started
again. There will be the future and
the reconstruction; the temporary
buildings which will be rushed up to
accommodate the immediate needs OF
the merchants, will not constitute the
new Roman. They will be makeshifts
When the town is rebuilt, the business
part will be made fire proof. The
town is incorporated and there was
conference yesterday at which it was
practically decided that when Roman
is built again, the town will be so laid
out that there will be well-defined
business district within which there
will be nothing but fire proof struc-
lures allowed. The spirit of the busi-
ness men is splendid. They are a
brave lot of men and deserve success.
The banks will be open for business
Monday morning, Stanley Scarce
will have a temporary building ready
by Thursday and will reopen his store
| for business at that time. He had a
considerable stock warehoused at Ra-
valli and this will be moved to Roman
| CONTINUED on Page TWo)
The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-30

CONTINUED on Page Two.)
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
Ma.k Ball at Turner Hall.

The Mask Ball which took
place at the Turner Hall Mon
day evening was one of the
most enjoyable events of the
season. There were manv
masked people in attendance
but not as many as attended in
former years and a agoodly mum.
Der of spectators. Dancing for
the masked commenced at 600
o'clock and at 100 the masks
were taken off. The prizes
were awarded to Robert Nc.
Michael 40 best dressed gentle.
man and Rufus Burton az most
dressed gentleman.
Mrs. Hogan Of Breckenridge az
best dressed lady and Mrs. r.
Zentgraf as most comicallv
dressed lady. Immediately fol-
lowing this dancing commenc.
ed IN earnest and was kept up
until the early hours.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
Co. I n. D. Notes.

Since the last writing we
have had our annual ball and
everyone report fine time.
During the week a little in.
door target practice was held
for the Company members who
wanted to practice up for the
match to be held for FIVE weeks
commencing Feb. 26, to March
80. A large and handsome cup
in addition to lots of cash prizes
is to be contested for during
this match between Militia
company's of the U. S. Our
team as entered by Captain
Thomsen is the captain, says:
Sargeants Allen Voves, s. An
derson, F. Ujka, G. Toney; Cor.
porals ]. Junge, VIM. Harrison,
VIM. Kaiser; Privates c. Bauer,
G.. Kenefic, H. Hodel and A.
Willardt; Alternates Lieutenant
S. W. ellison; Corporate G. Bad.
er and F. III. Hankin; Musical
Miller; Privates Anderson,
Braun, Coady, Dorm, Ellis,
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
Wyndmsrs.

Mrs. L. E. Riley has been on
the sick list.
Miss Clara Gleason returned
to Fairmount after few days
visit with friends and relatives
w. G. T. U. meets at Gabriels
Friday.
The Dorcas met with Mrs
NJ. K. Sergeant Wednesday.
Many pupils have been alb.
sent the past few days on &C.
count of measles,
There will be a Home Talent
Play given about the 18th OF
March for the benefit of the
school library.
Sprechers Travelling Orches.
ira gave a dance in Klenzinp
Hall Tuesday evening.
Moving picture exhibition
Wednesday and Thursday even.
ing this week in Klenzing Hall
followed ny a dance.
Prof. J. E. Bjorlie will be out
of town on business Thursday
and Friday of this week.
School closed today after and
enjoyable program of about an
hours length.
Earl Blackmun has been con.
fined with measles q few days
this week.
Helen Strong is back in school
this week after a weeks alb
sence with measles.
I. w. Wooding, assistant bar.
Der in Blackmun's shop, until
last fall, dropped dead Sunday
in the Gardner Hotel,
Fargo.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
Grade scl,ooI Notes

The school yard makes a fine
skating rink for tie boys this
week.
Red, white and blue was very
much in evidence this week
during the preparations for the
program.
Emily Drummer was again
absent from the Second grade.
Three new pupils were re-
ceived in the Sixth grade Mon
day.
The pupils in Mas Morden's
room have been busy making
hatchets, eagles and all other
sorts of formidable looking de.
corations for their room.
The valentine boxes this year
were based on q different STYLE
than of other years. The val.
entines were made BY the
pupils and out of school mater.
ial.
George are you whisperinse"
George answers, Teacher 1
cannot tell a lie was." George
stands in the corner. Poor
George.)
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
Citizens Mass Meetlnu.

A mass meeting of the citi-
zens ives called by the Mayor
last Thursday night in the
City Hall. There was a large
and representative number OF
our citixens in attendance.
Arthur Connolly was made
chairman. A committee of ten
five Democrats and five Repub.
licaus were appointed as q
nominating committee. This
committee recommended the
following as candidate for a
citizens ticket.
Mayor Frank Eberley.
Treasurer VIM. Eckes.
Police Magistrate w. II, Pur.
don.
City Justice .. c. Farms.
worth.
The report of the convention
was adopted.
The Ward nominations for
aldermen were as follows.
First Ward Mat Gillen.
Second Ward w. F. Frickc.
Second Ward Jos. G. Forbes.
Third Ward NJ. J. Braun.
Fourth Ward E. J. Morris.
Besides the citizens ticket,
petitions were circulated ask
ing the names of H. G.. AL
brecht be placed on the ballot
for Mayor and Theo. Jurgen for
Police Magistrate.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
The Booster Club Banuust.

The Original forty members
of the Booster Club gave a
banquet to the Club last Thurs.
day night in the Armory build.
ing. Plates were laid for about
one hundred.
The banquet was nicely pre-
pared and elegantly served by
members of this Club.
r. ]. Hughes az toastmaster
Responses were given by Supt.
Barnes, Prof. Mcmahon, Prof.
Darner, Judge Van Arnam, Geo.
Reeder. Walter Schultz and
Pres. Smith. The whole affair
was a delightful one and every
one felt we'll repaid for being
there.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
NEWS NOTES FRom THE STATE
SCHOOL OF, SCIENCE

The basketball game last. Fri
day night with the. Glendale
team resulted in another vic.
tory for our team, 40 to Is. 1t
was a good game and our band
en]ivened the occasion with ex.
ce'lent music.
The class in agriculture have
taken up the study of corn and
have secured a large number
of samples of the leading va.ie.
ties raised in this county. The
class can do some judging, too,
if they are amatuers.
Mr.. Fryckman of Souris, N.
d., visited with his sister on
Saturday, February 18th.
Miss Viola Robbins and Miss
Anna Voyek were over Sunday
visitors at their home in Lid.
gerwood. /
Master Elmer Simard was q
juvenile visitor on Saturday.
Miss Kuhl, Principal of the
Abercrombie schools, visited
the school last Saturday.
Mrs. Lauder was a visitor on
Tuesday.
Mrs. Remington of Ashley
visited the school on Tuesday.
Miss Amanda Nelson, S. S. S.
1910, is Mr.. Remiugton's steno.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22

grapher and is giving excellent
satisfaction in that position.
Prof. Clipfell represented the
Science School at the meeting
OF the State Engineers at Grand
Forks last Thursday and Fri
day. He reports good session
with an attendance of forty
delegates. Needed legislation
vas a topic of considerable in
.terest. The next meeting is to
be held at Bismarck.
= A "spread" was enjoyed by
twelve of the students on Sat.
urday noon. The boys showed
marked ability in the dishwash.
ing line.
The new oak chairs recently
installed in the shorthand room,
are highly appreciated by both
students and teachers of that
department and we feel that
our needs are being we'll cared
for.
Miss Grace Mirick served a
dainty breakfast on Friday in
the Domestic Science dining
room. The guests were; Mrs.
Meckstroth, Mrs. Clipfell, Mics
Ristow, Mics Lillian Mirick,
Miss Helen Hill and Miss
Sleeper. Purple hearts and
moss roses were the decoration,
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
H. G. AIbrecht Candidate

The petition of H. G.. AL
brecht for mayor has been CRU
lated and his name will be
placed on the ballot.
Mr.. J. N. Jurgensen is can.
didate for police magistrate.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
man RENOUNCES
HIS FAMILY
White DIsowns His Mother and
Sister,
GAVE MONEY TO SICK SISTER
All Hs Had Saved 10 bs Married
on Was Given.

st. Louis, Mo-, Feb. lS.-An.
drew ]. White, claimant in the
Kimmel mystery case on trial
in the United States district
court here. renounced Mrs.
Este4le Kimmel and her daugh.
ter, Miss Edna Benslett, moth.
er and sister of the missing
George A. Kimmel, as mother
and sister today.
"Those women are no longer
my mother and sister. the ella.
mont said. II mean, of course,
that they are my blood rela.
tions, but / feel no kinship to
them"
"Our relationship is dead,
dead as a door neil, it was kill.
ed by their actions towards me
in this litigation"
Despite this the claimant re.
ferred to them as mother" and
"sister."
NO HOPE 10 REUNITE.
"As 1 sat in the court room
and heard mother disown and
discredit me-" he said, "some-
thing within me seemed to
snap and Igave up hope of
ever being reconciled with
them: Up to that moment,
there had been little hope, per-
haps, that we might be reunit.
ed. but I do met feel that way
now. Lam against them from
now on. I will see this thing
through. / will Sight their case
ia every way can. 1 feel no
filial affection for my mother
and no brotherly interest in
Edna.
GAVE UP ENGAGEMENT.
IL was engaged to the lowell
est girl in Michigan and would
have married her but for Edna.
who was sick and l gave my
sister the money I had saved
to be married on. Had it not
been for that l might have been
an honored man now instead of
an outcast AID alleged impost-
cr."
The defendant in the case,
an insurance company of New
York is marshalling it's wit
nesses. Mrs. Mabel Finley
Lardner, one of the strongest
supporters of the claimant, her
husband William P. Lardner,
and Rev. Cordillo Herrick,
former chaplain of Auburn
prison where White was con-
fined, are the witnesses who
have arrived.
Mr.. Lardner said he felt no
doubt the claimant was the
missing cashier of the Farmers
State bank of Arkansas City,
kas. The climant greeted the
Lardner's and the chaplain eff
fusively.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22

Gutenberg, Giles, Hausken,
Keen, Muchvitsch, Oliver,
Onstad, Simard, Varline aud
Corporal w. Oliver.
Monday evening found US
drilling in extended order and
a lot of new movements were
taught us. The dance at the
Turner Hall made lot of mem.
bers ask for excuses, which
were all granted by the captain.
Special order No. 2 Regi.
mental Headquarters reduced
a corporal to the ranks for non.
attendance to drill and general
insubordination and Private
Wm. Kaiser was appointed cor.
poral to fill vacancy.
Our annual inspection will
be held the 21st of March by
Captain G. H. Williams 10th
Infantry U. S. Army Inspector
Instructor for North Dakota
and Colonel l. H. Fraine, Com.
manding First Infantry Regi-
ment N. d. N. G. Citizens are
invited to come and help in.
spect.
Major Purdon is in receipt of
a letter from Senator McCum-
Der stating that a souvenir of
the Battleship Maine can be
had by filling out the necessary
blanks. The Major has sent
back asking the amount it will
take to pay freight on it for if
to large we would not be able
to pay it. The relic whatever
it is will be at the Armory.
Captain Thomson, Sergeant
Cjka and Privates C. Bauer
and r. Ellis are delegates to
the State Convention at James.
town Wednesday and Thursday
Feb. 21 and 22. An effort will
be made to get the convention
here next year. An effort to
get a range here for outdoor
target practice is under way
and 1t 10 hoped will be com.
pleted before the season opens.
The pay bill up before the
senate is predicted to pass with.
out fail. This has been looked
for, for several years. 1t will
mean the payment of about a
dollar per drill for enlisted men
and more for each grade above,
it will take effect Dec. 1st if
made law and men enlisted
before July 1st will draw pay
from that date. Here is look.
ing for a full company of en-.
thusiastic men before that date
and this company will be the
"crack" company of the regi-
ment.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22

\ dier boys
Were steady, firm and true,
Aud none could better do the
work
Laid out for them to do.
They cannot stampede the
North DISQUALIFICATION.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22

My land in Roots and River.
side Addition, also about Is
bushels of pop corn, 1 light
wagon and single harness.
Sat Mrs. r. L. Hartwell.
The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
ANOTHER LETTER
FROM M0RDEN
Has Been at Aberdeen, There
Looked Up Man.
Man HAS HAD BAD RECORD
Some Of tho People Hs Has Met
and What They Soy.

ano W1aS Inoy Soy.
Again referring to our mys.
ferrous desperate will cay that
at Aberdeen he was kn own az
Missouri Bob and said to be q
tough character He is said to
have been at Roscoe, S. D., the
night the post Office was robbed.
He and a companion of light
complexion came to the hotel
at Roscoe about 10 P. NJ, paid
for their bed and retired. They
came down stairs quietly at 1
A. NJ, and left the hotel. The
next morning the post Office
safe was found robbed and the
men had left town. A travelling
man from Aberdeen recognized
his photo az that of George
Gabro, formerly of Lena, Ill.
1t is said he drifted into Lena,
ILL.,, when IA years of age.
claiming to have come from
New York. He was adopted by
a wealthy German farmer but
the farmer could not keep him.
He would disappear frequently
for a month or more then re.
turn as unexpectedly as he left
and go to work apparently con.
tented for a short time, then
disapp~ ar again always return
ing with plenty of money. AT
ter he was of age he crossed
into Iowa where he practiced
the same tactics. 40, at Lena,
ILL.,, and it 10 said he was known
as q tough little nut. A few
years later he located at Rock
ford, ILL.,, where he worked for
several years but continued to
take those frequent trips al
ways returning with plenty of
money. A few years ago he
disappeared for good and has
not been heard of for several
years.
A lady on a train between
Aberdeen and Wahpeton in
formed me that is. year old
boy at Aberdeen was believd
to know something concerning
the Valley City train robbery,
80 l looked the boy up and
found that he had recently been
convicted for horse stealing
and sent to the Plankingtou
Reform School at Flankington.
l called up the superintendent
of the school and asked him to
question the boy on the train
holdup which he did.
met a G. A. r. man on a
train recently who had viewed
the running battle between the
boys and desperate with a field
glass from a high window in a
barn, and he said v hen he saw
those kids duck to dodge the
bullets at first he thought they
were wounded, that was the
reason he reported three of the
boys wounded, but he soon dis.
covered that it was their best
trick. He said he had lodged
a few bullets himself at Vicks.
burg and at the battle of the
wilderness. But those darned
kids were certainly profess
sionals at the business, I re.
piled, most Of those darned kids
practiced lodging bnAets in
the PHILIPPINES he replied, then
I have no more to say,only Why
did Mayor Eberley want the
guards to 60 when he plenty of
others to send, I replied Mayor
Eberley has been in the west
long enough to distinguish q
desperate from q tenderfoot
and he did not care to send q