The log cabin Democrat., 1915-02-01
WEST DRUG STORE
 IS A TOTAL LOSS
ONE BUILDING BURNED
FINE WORK BY FIRE DEPART MENT PREVENTS MUCH
 ADDITIONAL LOSS.

o'clock this morning completely de- | stroyed the stock of dugs and fixtures of the West Drug Company, burned the building, POP North Front street, occupied by it and damaged the stock of Camp Brothers, 200 North Front street, and other adjacent property, the total losses reaching nearly $15,- 900, practically all of which was cov- cred by insurance.
 The losses:
 West Drug Company, stock, $4,30O; fixtures and soda fountain, $3,OO0; insurance on stock, $2,5O0; on fix lures and fountain, $2,00.
 Judge Sam Frauenthal, building, $2,000 to $2 800; covered by insur- ance.
 Camp Brothers, damage to stock by smoke and water, $2,000 to $5,00O; covered by insurance.
 Dr. J. M. Muse, library, instlu- ments and office fixtures, $500, in- surance, $500.
 Florence Drug Company, Dr. J. z. Bailey, Judge w. H. Duncan. George Shaw and G. w. Clark, slight dam age by smoke and water; not esti- mated.
 The fire originated from some un- known cause in the rear of the West drug store, apparently near the ceil- ing. Dr. J. T. West said this morn ing that he had no idea as to how the fire could have started. He said he cared the only key to the store and came down early last night, staying in the store few minutes, and that otherwise no one is known to have en- tered the building since closing time Saturday night and there was no fire in the stove after that time.
 The blaze was discovered by Night Marshal John Durham, who turned in the alarm. MT. Durham stated that he inspected the building on his rounds at 12:30 this morning and saw nothing wrong, but that at l :15 he noticed clouds of smoke pouring out, and made an effort to enter the building, but was driven back by the smoke and heat.
 The volunteer fire companies re- sponded promptly and three lines of hose were laid to the fire, which, how ever, had gained such headway that it was impossible to do more than to prevent a spread to adjoining build ings. With an S0-pound water pres sure and effective work, the fire was gotten under control within about 30 minutes. The fire again demonstra- ted the value of good water system with high pressure, as without it the two adjoining buildings would un- doubtedly have been total loss and the fire might have extended even | farther.
 The upper floor of the building was occupied by the offices of Dr. J. M. Muse, whose surgical instruments, E- brary and office furniture were badly damaged but not entirely destroyed. The store of Camp Brothers, adjoin- ing the West store, suffered heavy damage from floods of water and the dense smoke, but it was impossible today to make an accurate estimate of the loss. Dr. J. z. Bailey's dental offices were flooded and considerably damaged, and the law libraries of Judge w. H. Duncan, George w. Clark and George Shaw, over the building occupied by Camp Brothers, were also slightly damaged. The lat ter building is owned by pr. o. Tyd- ings of Chicago, but was not serious ly damaged. Clouds of smoke also damaged the stock of stationery, books, etc., of the Florence Drug Company, adjoining the West store on the north.
 The fire is the most serious that has occurred in the business section in many years. Breaking out as it did in the heart of the business district, if the fire had once gotten beyond control, many other houses would have been endangered and the disas- ter might have been many times worse.
 Dr. West was unable to state today how soon he would be able to re- sume business. It is understood that Judge Frauenthal will rebuild the burned structure as soon as the losses can be adjusted by the insurance
 companies.