The Dickinson press., 1917-09-29
fire BUG AT ...
WORK IN CITY
OF BELf fIELD
PROPERTY LOSS WILL REACH
MANY THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS.
Two Destructive Fires in Succession,
Following Depot Ere, Believed to
Be of Incendiary Origin.

Two destructive fires, believed to
have been of incendiary origin, fol-
lowed the depot fire of last Thursday
at Belfeld. The Farmers Co-opera-
tive Union elevator burned to the
ground last Sunday night, and on
Monday night the Imperial hotel, an
old hotel building and a barn, all
located on the south side of. the
track, were entirely destroyed, entail
ing an aggregate loss of many thous-
ands of dollars.
The elevator fire was discovered by
passengers on No. 7 at about GAO in
the evening. When the train passed
the elevator, which is located at the
edge of the village, flames were seen
and when the alarm was given it was
learned that the whole interior was
a mass Of flames. The village being
without fire protection the Dickinson
roundhouse fire department responded
to the call for help and was on the
scene with the fire car within very
short time. A strong wind was blow
ing from the southeast and the roar
of the flames could be heard for quite
a distance. The citizens Of the town
were helpless and could Go nothing
but make an effort to save adjoining
property.
The stock of machinery and twine
was removed from shed adjoining
the elevator and these were practi-
cally the only articles belonging to the
elevator company that were saved.
The elevator and sheds were valued
at about $4,000. The elevator is a
total loss and the shed damaged to
some extent Insurance to the amount
of $4,000 was carried on the build
ings and the same amount on the
grain. AS near as can be determined
the elevator contained about 1000
bushels Of wheat, 1000 bushels of
flax, and a car load of flour.
w. H. Cameron is president Of the
board of directors and George Koheer
is the elevator man. Mr.. Koheer was
in Dickinson on Sunday tn, see his
little son, who is seriously ss!4 and re-
turned home on No. 7 to find his
place of business ablaze.
The elevator was built by members
of the Farmers Union in 1914. The
building caught fire last spring from
sparks from passing train but was
age. The loss is quite heavy, coming
at this season of the year when a
great deal Of grain was in storage.
Hotel Buildings Burn.
On the following night fire was dis
covered in the Imperial hotel building
south of the railroad track, and the
Dickinson roundhouse fire crew again
made the run to Belfeld in quick time
to be of service. The hotel was a
frame building and burned quickly,
spreading to the old hotel building adj
joining and to a barn on the rear of
the lot. The old hotel building, known
as the Belfeld hotel, was the first
hotel erected in Belfeld and was
owned by Mrs. Ish. The building, m
cluding the barn destroyed, was val
ued at about $500, partially covered
by insurance.
H. Nootnagel, proprietor of the I'm
perial hotel, lost about $500 worth Of
equipment, stock and fixtures, in ad-
dition to the $4,000 building. Both
losses are partially covered by insur-
ance.
Believed to be 1ncendiary.
Both fires are believed to be of in
cendiary origin. No one was in the
elevator during the day Sunday and
the owners are unable to explain the
presence of any fire in the building
and are unable to account for any COM
bustible material.
The hotel fire started in the rear of
the building and while no conclusive
evidence has been secured it was evil
dent that some fire bug had been at
work as there had been no fire in that
portion of the house.
The depot fire on Thursday of last
week was set from sparks from rail-
road engine and burned to the ground
about noon. The fires following, max
ing three within a week, have aroused
the people Of Belfeld to the need Of
fire protection and it is very probable
that in the near future steps will be
taken in that direction. The loss is
very serious to the village and prop
erty owners.