The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-12-23
Fine Farm House
Destroyed By Fire
Modern House Of Casper Green
Near Morgan Scene Of Thurs
days Conflagrati0n
CAUSED BY GAS FUMES
Loss of $4,000 Partially Covered
by Insurance; To be Rebuilt
at Once

by insurance; 10 be Rebuilt
at Once
There was considerable excite
ment in Morgan Thursday morn
ing at seven o'clock, when the
fire bell sounded and the alarm
was sent in that the Casper
Green farm residence was on
fire. A large crowd was soon at
the scene of the fire to lend their
assistance in extinguishing the
flames, but it was seen from the
first that all efforts were useless,
and the fire department could
do nothing as there was no hose
long enough to reach, the house
being quarter of a mile east
Of Morgan.
Gas Caused Explosion
The fire originated in the base
ment. Mrs. Green had just re-
turned from the cellar where she
had replenished the fire with
some wood and fresh coal; then
closing the drafts to the furnace,
she joined the family at break
fast in the dining room. Almost
Immediately there was a slight
noise as. Of an explosion in the
basement. Upon investigation it
was found that the accumula-
tion of coal gas had exploded,
tearing the whole top Of the fur
mace off and setting fire to the
ceiling of the basement. Mrs.
Green attempted to extinguish
the flames with a few pals of
water which were standing near,
but she was unable to endure
the smoke and the gas fumes,
so selling a can of kerosene near
the door, she made her escape.
The heating plant was a hot
air furnace and soft coal was
used, SO that the smoke and gas
1ascended through the register in
every room in the building, maxi
ing it impossible for any one to
lenter to save any of the furni-
ture or clothing except those
worn by the family. Mr.. Green,
ST., seized his fur coat and "a
few wraps belonging to the
daughter, but all their house
hold effects and the clothing of
the family, which consist of
the father, mother, daughter,
and two sons, and also that of
Joe Welter, a high school stu
dent, who boarded at the Green
home, were entirely destroyed.
| The loss in the basement was
unusually large, including cleo
trio washer, canned fruits, vege-
tables and fuel. Some valuable
papers were also burned, includ-
ing a deed to a farm Mr.. Green
had purchased recently. also a
quantity of old coins which he
has been collecting for years.
A Big Loss
The loss is estimated as being
nearly $4,000. The building was
insured for $1,000 by the st.
Paul Fire and Marine Insurance
Co. Fortunately the wind car
ried the flames away from the
other farm buildings and the hay
and strawstacks surrounding
them.
Casper Green is an old resi-
dent and a prosperous farmer,
accommodating his wealth by care
ful economy. Mr.. Green has
heavy interests in the Morgan
| Roller Mills. AS soon as the
weather permits, work will be-
gun on a new basement and an
other modern home will be cree
ted. In the meantime the family
will live in the granary, which
has been fitted up for temporary
living purposes. Correspondent.
Roy Gilbertson was called to
his home at st. James by the
sudden and severe illness of his
mother.
Several Of the teachers left
Friday for their homes where
they will spend the two weeks
vacation. Miss Schmokel went
to Pryor Lake, Miss Hart and
Miss Hosmer to Minneapolis and
Miss KOblitz to Madison. Wis.