Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-12-17
LIVERY STABLE Z. |. sMITHA & Co.
BURNED.

The town OF st. Joseph suffered Sc
we're loss on Tuesday morning when the
handsome livery stable of IL. l.. Smitha
4 Co., was destroyed by fire. 1t is not
known how the fire originated, but the
flames were not discovered until about 4
O'Clock 4. m, and had progressed too far
to be overcome and soon the entire struc-
ture, by far tie largest frame building in
the entire parish, was fiery mass. For
tunately there was no wind, and to this
blessing we are indebted for the saving OF
the town. But Notwithstanding there
was scarcely breath of breeze blowing,
burning shingles, carried by force of the
hot air, and rising to great attitudes,
fell on other buildings blocks away, and
again the star Of good fortune followed
us, for the night was intensely cold and
everything covered with heavy frost,
which in some measure prevented other
roofs from catching, though several are
reported to have caught from falling
sparks and were extinguished by men on
the lookout for same. PROFESSIONALLY
the fire was the greatest, with the posi-
BILE exception of the oil mill, which burned
March 16, 1918, of any that has visited
this town since the memorable night OF
October Goth, 1901, when the business
section of st. Joseph was burned away
The livery stable Of II. l.. Smitha & Co.
was constructed in 1902 at cost of APP
proximately $500 and was possibly the
largest and most handsome structure OF
its kind in this section of the State
Containing two stories and immense
sheds, it covered about an acre of ground
and was well equipped in every detail.
We understand some insurance was car
ried on the building but scarcely half
its true value, while no insurance was
carried on the stock and running gear,
and while all live stock was saved, prac-
tically every vehicle, with the excep-
ton OF the Ford car belonging to the
stable and the new Overland Knight Of
Mr.. E. L. Gnlley, and including large |
stock Of collins, carried by the firm, apd
about 400 barrels OF corn, was lost. The |
building was the property of II. l..
Smitha while all stock and appurtenan-
ces belonged jointly to the firm, and will
fall alike on Mr.. Smitha and Mrs. b. F.
Bonncy, who formed the company. Mr..
Smitha estimates the loss OF the uninsured
conservatively at 81. 900. The sympathy of
our entire community is extended Mr..
Smitha and Mrs. Bonney in their misfor-
tune, which virtually means the sweeping
away ftheir means Of livelihood.
But for the heroic efforts OF the fire
fighters and the extreme good fortune of
The absence Of wind, the fire was confined
10 the one building burned, and it seems
almost marvellous that such fight could
nave been won. Removed from the
table by possibly fifty feet row OF frame
on both sides OF the street
would have been easy prey to the fire
Ind in their saving our people have
:ause for congratulation. Had this row
u buildings caught the business section
n the town would surely have been
loomed along with numbers of teHement
'ouses and possibly several handsome =
esidences. The need OF water works in +
4. Joseph was never more greatly EN-
and until some measure OF fight .
ny fire is established here propertv !,
aluatAOns will always suffer.
Having lost both hacks in the fire, Mr..
militia has arranged with Mr.. Henry
laufman, the liveryman of Newellton,
DR. the use of one of his hacks until he
an order his new ou.fif