The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-11-29
BAD FIRE AT OSCf0LA
Harding Block Burned on Thursday
Morning and Two Men Killed
When Walls Fell Out.

One of the most terrible incidents
in the history OF Osceola occurred
between l and 2 o'clock last Thurs
tive fire destroyed the big Harding
block at the southeast corner of the
square, and nightwatch r. l.. Eggle-
stOn and George Griffin were caught
and crushed to death when falling
wall was wrecked by an explosion,
and fireman Frank Paschal received
a broken limb and other serious in
juries.
The fire was discovered by Mrs. A.
A. Movers, who was awakened by
the light of the blaze and she turned
in the alarm. When first seen the
flames were coming from the rear OF
the Frick drug store, the basement
wrapped in flame and smoke. 1t was
at this place that the two unfortun-
ate men lost their lives and Frank
Paschal and others were injured, the
accident being the direct result of an
explosion in the drug store so ter
rifle that without warning it literally
lifted and tossed the rear end of the
had gathered to fight the fire. 1t
was all done SO quickly and the light
in the alley was SO limited that it is
not known just how it occurred, and
in the confusion it was impossible to
tell how many men were caught un-
der the falling wall A number of
the spectators noted that one man
they could not tell who it was and
fireman Frank Paschall, the 20 year,
old son of Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse Pas
schall, was seen partly covered with
brick and mortar. He was rescued
at once and taken to DR., Deans of
flee, where it was found he had sus-
tanned a broken limb, ,wrenched
his injuries while serious will not re-
turned to the relief Of the other man
and his lifeless body was soon re-
covered and identified as George
Griffin. AS yet it was not known
that nightWatch Dick Eggleston was
numbered among the victims, and
west wind spread so rapidly and the
heat became so intense that it was
almost impossible to make further
investigation, and it was some time
after 2 o'clock that the lifeless body
of Mr.. EgglestOn was taken from be-
meath the fallen wall. Fireman Geo.
Carlton had a very narrow escape:
taking a hose nozzle down the back
stairs to the basement of the drug
store and was blown bodily to the
alley. He was hurt about the head
and badly bruised, but was. able to
be around town the following day.
Marshal Dick Eggleston was one
spected men in Clarke county, and
had served two terms as sheriff.
George Griffin was also highly
respected citizen and leaves family
of seven children ranging from to
Is years of age.
The Harding block was owned by
Mr.. Sake, an Ottumwa clothing mer-
chant, the lower floors being occupied
Frick drug store and J. M. eleven
gers harness and shoe store. On the
upper floors were the law offices of
attorneys O. S. Slaymaker and w.
d. Hedrick, the dental parlors of
DR.. Paul and DR.. Porterfield, w. S.
Barnards insurance office and DR..
Sells hospital, in which there were
removed safely.
Owing to the verv high wind and
rapid spread of the fire, together
with the excitement over the loss of
life, but very little of Ne contents of
any of the stores were saved, and the
total loss will amount to approx
The Harding block owned by Mr..
SAKE was valued at $4,000, and was
insured for 100000.
The Ettinger dry goods stock was
valued at 100000, and was insured
for $3S,3O0.
Frick's drug store valued at
J. NJ. Clevenger's harness and shoe
store was valued at $4,000, with in
Surance of $4,000.
McAllaster's paper and paint store
adjoining the burned block on the
west, did not burn, but the stock was
damaged $1,500, with insurance of
o. NJ. Slaymake's law office, Ii
brary and fixtures, valued at SIS, 900
was partially covered by insurance.
w. D. Tedrick's law office and Ii
brary was valued at $1,000, with in
surance of $500.
DIR. Porterfield's dental office was
valued at $4,000, with insurance of
S4OO.
Dr.. Pauls dental office was val
ued at $2,50O,> with insurance of
5000.
DR.. Sells hospital, appliances, fix
lures, ETC., was valued at $4,000,
with insurance of $1,000.
w. s. Barnard's insurance office
was valued at $1,000, partially COW
cred by insurance.
Folkner & Booths barber shop in
the basement under Ettinger's store
estimated loss 1000, partially COW
cred, by insurance.
We are indebted to editor Abbott,
of the Osceola Sentinel, for the facts
in regard to the terrible calamity.
Charlie Chaplin at the Idle Hour Sat
urtlay in New Comedy.
maker, will be at the Idle Hour next
Saturday, Dec. 1st, in his new COM
edy. "By the Sea-" This picture has
never been shown in Leon before and
il il one of his best This comedy