The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-02-04
building IS QUICKLY
Quilted BY FLAMES
Fire in the Sherk Structure On
South Front Street
from satureay.s pairy

from Saturdays Daily
Fire was discovered in the rear of
.tae Aldo Clothing store On South
Front street last evening shortly after
seven o'clock, and a telephone call
was received at the fire department,
coming Fl om' the Citizens telephone
company office at TAO p. M, followed
about two minutes later by call
from box A, said to have been turned
in by Mr.. Chase, who lives in the
neighborhood of the fire. The depart
ment immediately responded, and as
they turned down Front street the
men could sec the flames, which shot
up for ABOUT fifteen feet above the
burning building. Three lines of hose
were laid, two from Front street, and
one from State street, two lines Of
hose coming from the rear of the
building and one from the front. The
fire boys did excellent work and had
the fire under control in about fifteen
minutes, although it had locked at
first as though the whole block was
doomed as smoke was pouring out o.
all the buildings. The firemen stayed
at the place about two hours, and
then considering that there was no
farther danger they left, leaving Al
bert HeiEand two watchmen> to watch
the place during the night
Origin Is Unknown.
The origin of the fire is unknown,
but it appeared to have started from
the ceiling in the rear store room,
possibly from crossed wires.
N. Aldo and son Charles were at
st. Paul, selecting goods for their
store, and the younger son, William
Aldo was in charge of the store dur
ing their absence. William stated
that he closed up the store last night
about 7:15, and that the fire was dis
covered shortly afterward The in
terror of the store room was burned
to a crisp, and, the stock of the store
was practically all destroyed, the
goods and clothing that were not COM
completely burned, being ruined by
smoke and water.
Funk's Bake shop, next door on
the right, operated by James Funk
was filled with smoke during the fire
and the smoke and water did consid
Vi oDiS uclu1SoN W E'CSh NIliu llNluLSo'
Smoke also entered the Sherk grocery
and did some damage. The three
buildings are owned by Thomas A.
Sherk.
Aldo Came Last Night.
Mr.. Aldo arrived home last night
and stated to The Free Press this
morning that he had ordered his new
spring stock of goods while on his
purchasing trip, and will continue 20
operate his store.
State Fire Marshal Martin CHANGED
to be in the city on business, and
with Fire Chief Philip Leas visited
the scene of the fire early this morn
ing. 1t was found that the three
buildings in that block have no fire
walls between the stores, and that
the attics are all in one, making a
regular fire trap, and if any one OF
the stores should catch fire during the
night, and the flames gain any con-
siderable Roadway. all the buildings
in the block would be doomed.
Fire Marshal Martin and Theodore
Williams, the insurance man, warmly
complimented Fire Chief 'Leas and
the firemen this morning on their fine
work in getting the fire under con-
troll with such efficient speed. Fire
Chief Leas revisited the store about
twelve o'clock last night to see that
everything was all right. Mr. Leas
stated today that he was much
pleased with the firemen, as the reg
ular men and the volunteers worked
faithfully and WE'LL,
Claims He Saw Man
A party living in the neighborhood
made the statement to an acquaint-
ance, SO it is alleged, that about five
minutes before he saw the flames
shoot up from the rear of the build
ing he saw man come out from
there. but did not know who it was
or which way he went.
Mr. Aldo valued his stock at about
$4,000, and carried insurance of about
$1,000. Mr.. Funk carried $500 in
surance ON his fixtures and stock, and
estimates that his loss on stock was
about 500. The building, which be-
longs to Thomas Sherk was valued al
$4,000. aud an insurance of $4,000 was
carried. The loss on the building is
estimated at about $1,000.