The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-07-11

A fire starting in the roof of Stark q
Co.'S elevator at Perry, at 2:3O Sunday
afternoon, soon involved the entire
building and spread rapidly to struc'
ture after structure until practically
the entire business section of the village
was in ruins. The fire is supposed to
have started from an engine spark and
was discovered by E. F. Sanborn, who
gave an alarm, and the entire village
was soon at work, but with no ladders
long enough to reach the top of the ele'
vator, the small flame could not be
reached, and all efforts were turned to
other structures. The flames became
so fierce that fighting the fire was al.
most impossible, and the stocks OF goods
and other things were moved into the
streets and in that way part OF the
contents of many buildings were saved,
but thirty stores, residences and other
buildings was the final total. Appeals
were made to Lansing and Owosso and
Lansing sent motor pump but the
lack of water made 1t of little value.
Chief Craig and M. F. Blair of this city
went with chemicals and assisted as
much as possible. From the elevator
the flames went to the house Of w. q.
Hosmer, and to the warehouse, and then
to Mr.. Starks home; also to the barn
across the street, then to DR.. Boomers
building, the hotel, W. Hough's house
and blacksmith shop and the. row of
business places on the west side Of the
main street By desperate work the
Dunning & Hart store was saved and
the stopping of the flames there. un-
doubtedly prevented the destroying of
she balance Of the buildings in the bust.
ness section 80 The fire in its march
south stopped at John Wallsce's barber
shop. The churches and residences were
saved by constant work on the roofs
where fire was falling continuously for
three hours.
No serious injuries were reported, al.
though William Clough was burned on
the arm and Mortimer Ram sprained
his back. while many were more or less
affected by the heat, but all recovered
within day.
The calamity almost overcsme the
people, but within day plans for re-
building were being made. The Stark
elevator will be rebuilt. DR.. a.. P. Hal
stead will put up double store and
Office building, the bank Is already at
work, and all along the streets cleaning
and preparations are under way, and it
will undoubtedly result in q new and
more substantial street than before. al
the loss to many was CON plete and they
can do little at present.
The telephone companies were both
large losers, but will of course immedi-
ately install everything necessary to 20
on with the business.
More adequate fire protection will be
provided as the village has been very
slack in this matter.
The Grand Trunk officials have been
at Perry looking up the fire question,
and hundreds of visitors from all parts
of this and surrounding counties have
visited the village every day, the large
majority coming in automobiles.
The losses as estimated with insur.
ance are as follows:
Hiram Stark e. Co., $4,000, $751;
90 insurance, will rebuild; DR.. II.
P. Halstead, $4,000, $1,000 insur-
ance, will rebuild; r. NJ. Stichler
$1,000, no Insurance; Messenger e
Snyder, $4,000, no insurance; N. H.
Green, $4,000, no insurance; Martin
Ram, $4,000 $4,000 Insurance;
Stoddard & Son, $4,000, $4,000 in
surance; Mr.. and Mrs. w. j. Conk-
lin, combined loss, 5 900, no insur-
ance; Don Blanchard, $4,000, $400
insurance.; c. H. Hutchings, $500,
no insurance; o. B. Eggleston, $500,
no insurance; b. Bellman, Byron,
owned building, $500, no insurance;
Perry State bank, $4,000, insurance
$4,000, are preparing to rebuild at
once; Eugene Brown, owned brick
block, $4,000, $4,000 insurance.
Brown is in California. DR.. w. II.
Flint, $500, no insurance; Albert
Miner. $500, Mrs. Bowerman owned
building, $4,000, no insurance;
Hinchey & Wilson, 5000, 10 insur-
ance; oliver Wallace, $4,000, insur-
apce $500; G. NJ. Porter, $4,000,
no insurance; Walter Hough, $4,000,
$1,000 insurance; ]. w. Lorenger,
$4,000, no Insurance; DR.. F. r.