The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-09-17
Smoke at the Gamble
Robinson Fruit House
From tuesdays CaIiy.

From tuesdays Caliy.
Tho Gamble Robinson Produce COM
rany suffered loss az its plant in this
city early this morning, by fire. Only
the splendid work OF the local fire
department prevented much heavier
loss. Prompt discovery of the fire and
the efficient work OF the fire fighters
probably saved tho binding and con
tents from complete destruction. As
IL was. Manager F. II. Sleight esti-
mates the damage TO the building as
possibly $500 or shcN. and the loss on
'1Etegts. including stock on hand. at
possibly $4,000 TO $500. II Is fortu-
nate that the company had fresh cars
OF stock not Vet unloadCd. on hand,
which enabled the management 10
at Cnce open headquarters in another
building and proceed with the business
Cf the company almost as though
nothing had happened Manager
SlciEht carly arranged with Sam X
Fowler for room i'm his building across
the street. and Is doing business there.
with 4 fresh stock OF fruits and prod
nee. and even the telephone numbers
are the same as in the old location.
Fire at Three O'clock.
Tho fire was discovered about three
o'clock this morning by the crew of
the Dan Patch switch engine. who
blew the whistle of their engine Word
was passed To Omaha railway en-
ploves and the first call To the fire
station was sent by telephone frCm the
Omaha depot. When the central sta
ton fircmen reached the building.
which is located at the corner Of
Cherry and Pill q streets. they found
II filled with smoke and the frCnt
Of the second story with flames
Smoke was pouring out under the cor
nice all around the building. and from
outward appearances IL was filled
with fire The smoke was far toe
dense To permit OF the building no
ing entered. so two streams of water
were turned into the front upper room
and the doors and windows opened to
lot some OF the smoke out. so tn,
firemon could enter. Ten minutes aft
er the fremen arrived they found
that they would need assistance to
cope with the flames. so they sent
in general alarm from hox 81. which
quickly brought the volunteer fire.
men to the place. II took two hours
hard work TO extinguish the flames
entirely. Some OF the first firemer
10 enter the building were partl,
overcome by the smoke and had tC
go cut and get revived. The motor
apparatus was taken to the fire IN
hurry. but there was so good 8
pressure on the water mains that i
was not used.
Fire Origin Mystery.
How the fire started is a mystery
but one theory that meets with &c,
Ceptance is that lightning entered thu
building over the power wire ant
burned the motor and that this sc
fire 10 the woodwork in the vicinity
Another theory that there was no
box in the dynamo. Is secuted b,
Manager Sleight. who states that TN,
motor had not been used since fou
o'clock yesterday afternoon. when /
was used to run the peanut rooster
The fire originated in the peanu
room. which occupies the front par
of the second story. and where nearl'
a carload of peanuts were stored. ]
seem TO have started at or clos
TO the motor. The woodwork abou
the motor was charred. az va
also that on the ceiling. Tho Ursula
ton was burned on the wires. ,Asid
from this. and entirely burning on
the motor, the danes did little direc