The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-01-13

Ottumwa, Ia, Jan. 11.-This city
suffered another bad fire early this
morning when the big Friedman de-
partment store in the J. B. Sax build
ing was totally destroyed and build
ings on either side, east and west,
carried down to destruction with the
contents.
The total loss, buildings and stocks,
Will amount to several hundred thous-
and dollars. .....
Fire started at two O'Clock this
morning, cause unknown. When dis
covered a roaring blaze was shooting
up the elevator shaft of the Friedman
store and the entire structure was in
volved before the fire fighters could
organize. Three buildings were de-
stroyed and parts of adjoining struc-
lures burned. The flames had the
property at their mercy for five long
hours. Not until seven o'clock or
after was the fire under control
Losses.
Friedman Department Store, stock
$2CO,OO0C0. -....
j. B. Sax, building, S100OOOOO.
Roy E. Sterens, shoe store, stock
and building, 100000. &c..
Nelson Cloak Company, loss on
stock, $4,000 90
James Swirles, dry goods stock,
800, 100000.
Harper & Browning, building, $685.
100000. 80.
Woolworth Store, stock, 100000.
II. L. Edmunds, buildings, $4,000
While insurance existed on all the
stocks and buildings, the loss and
damage exceeds insurance by between
sixty and seventy-five thousand dol
lars
Part of the Sax building, TIRES
and four story structure, has fallen
and will be complete loss, as is also
the Friedman stock. The building
of the Roy Stevens shoe store is badly
damaged and the rear wall has fallen.
This was a single front building of
three stories.
John Swirles' stock and the Har-
building are practically
total losses
During the progress of conflagra-
ton, fires were started in three other
buildings by fire-bugs, so police think.
Police stated the Friedman store was
fired in the same way. Mayor Carter
called the city council together and
an investigation will be started i'm
mediately.
The fire brought the destruction of
me of the principal business blocks
md will throw $50 persons out of
work. 1t is one Of the City's most
disastrous fires. Patrolman Lighy-
Ter and Mr.. Capps discovered the fire
IND entered the store and made an
Effort to get to the elevator shaft.
They were driven from the store by
he elevator car falling down to the
ground floor and allowing the flames
o spread to all parts. The firemen
worked with great difficulty in fight
ng the fire and time and time again
arely escaped injury by falling walls.
rank jacques, manager of the Stew
us store, sustained deep cut on the
light hand when a plat glass fell as
inferred the store. Two insipid fires
'cre started after o'clock.
Fires Were Incendiary.
Proof that Ottumwa's three fires
lay be incendiary was gained this
tternoon when Fire Chief Sloan and
layor Carter called upon State Fire
larshal Roe to come here and con-
uct an investigation. Sloan an.
ounced his intention to take sucn
action after the investigation by
imself and Carter of the Ottumwa
uggy company and Barber Piano es.
.blishment fires. The fire destroy
half the buildings on the south
de of the main street between Court
I'D Market and indicated a loss of
100000 against which there is about
100, 900 insurance.