The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-17

West Side Of Main Street, Eskridge, X
caused by a smoker who threw a
match into q small pile of hay near q
livery barn. He stated also that the
loss was covered only by about 500, 900
insurance and that at least one busi-
ness man was ruined by the connagra-
ton After his inspection OF the char
red district, Fire Marshal Parkman
suggested to the citizens of Eskridge
that they cover the roofs of their busi-
mess buildings hereafter with tin in
stead of tar paper and that the fire
limits be extended. The state fire Of
fetal does not know the name of the
man who IL said to have lighted q pipe
and thrown the lighted match into the
pile of hay.
The fire at Eskridge Sunday night
was the fourth disaster which has &C.
Cured at that place since 1890. In
1890 five buildings located on the east
side of Main street were destroyed by
fire. However, this fire was consid-
cred blessing instead Of a disaster
by many of the residents. The build
ing burned were frame structures and
most of those erected in their place
were of brick or st0neys~Oh October 5,
1905. the town was visited by another
fire which wiped out a half block of
business houses on the east side of
Main street. The loss from this fire
was $4,000. -
Soon after this the town was visited
by a tornado which played havoc with
the residence district in the east end
Of the town. The tornado also caus-
ed q heavy loss. The fire which oc-
clrred Sunday night Canaod heavier
loss than all three of the other dis
asters.
Cause a Mystery.
The fire was discovered by George
Bunger of the Bunger Mercantile
company at GAS Sunday evening. 1t
started in a livery barn owned by Roy
Taylor and operated by a man named
kaechell. The cause of the blaze is a
mystery. From all present indications
1t will never be known just who or
what was responsible for the fire. All
kinds OF wild rumOrs were afloat
Monday afternoon and this morning,
but when Investigated it was found
that they were grOundless. George
Bunger who discovered the fire was
positive that 1t started from the exter-
supposition of the residents of Esk-
ridge that the blaze was started by a
burning cigar or cigarette stub or in
some other accidental way.
Fire Spread Fast.
When Bunger discovered the fire he
ut once turned in a general alarm and
attempted to control the blaze. He
attempted to pile sacks of salt against
tho door Of the barn and keep the fire
ON the inside as long as possible. Be-
fore he could carry two sacks of salt
distance of ten feet the fire had pen
etrated the side Of the livery barn. A
spark ignited the roof of the Bunger
Mercantile company building which
h located across an alley east of the
barn. The roof of the building was
composed of a tar and paper compo-
sition and the whole top of the build
ing was ablaze in an instant. The vol
unteer fire department arrived on the
scene in less than five minutes after
Bunger turned In the alarm. But the
fire had gained so much Roadway that
they were unable to get it under con-
troll.
Heroes All.
The firemen fought the fire with q
small hand and chemical engine Bust
ness men, their clerks and farmers
pulled off their coats and joined in the
attempt to check the fire. Bucket bri-
gades by the dozen were formed and
men carried water from as far as a
quarter ola mile from the fire. Under
difficulties those men worked like
Trojans to check the fire.
A stiff, 25 mile gale whipped tht
lAaIne6 ACTOSS MAIN street. me paint
on buildings on the opposite side OF
the street was scorched and blistered
Two or three of these buildings caught
on fire. The center of the street wa,
almost az hot as a furnace. In spite
Of this men stood in the middle of the
street and made a mad endeavor tt
beat back the flames. At 1880 thu
. residents Of the town thinking 1t would
be impossible to control the fire with
out assistance sent out a general cal
for help. The Santa Fe responded
by making up a special train at Osag'
City and bringing the Burlingame fir
department to the burning town.
Nine Buildings Burned.
Nine buildings were practically de
stroyed in a little more than two hours
I. time. When the Burlingame fire de
partment arrived on the scene at S:4
o'clock, just forty-five minutes after ,
call for help was issued. the Eskridg
people had the IRE under control Tn
7ire was checked by q solid two stor,
concrete building. At the rear OF thi
building was an icehouse. When tn
flames reached this building. the fire
men and bucket brigades concentrates
their efforts on this one building. Tn
2asrlingame fire department remaine'