The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-11-22
BUILDINGS BURN
At NEW SHARON
EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYS
TWO PROPERTIES.
BLAZE OF UNCERTAIN ORIGIN
tAaRkEIH -
Old Post Office Building Erected In
1875 BY H. J. Vail Was Destroyed
Fire Protection Saved the
Adjacent Properties.

New Sharon, Nov. 20.-Fire of un.
known origin early this morning de-
stroyed property here to the value of
several thousand dollars and for a
time threatened conflagration. The
fire department worked faithfully
and efficiently, however, and kept the
fire in two buildings, the old post Of
fee and the Royal Cafe at the north
end of Main street. These two
buildings were totally destroyed.
Loss was only partially covered by
insurance.
The Losses Sustained.
Old Star building, formerly post
Office, two story frame structure.
Building owned by Seary and Van
Rheenen and occupied by the H. A.
Stout Royal Cafe.
Property loss is estimated in the
neighborhood of seven thousand dol
lars. Insurance much less.
Had Big start.
Fire was discovered and alarm CIV
en- about two o'clock this Tuesday
morning Oliver Stutzman, resid,
ing a block east of the Star building,
was returning from a night drive and
noted the reflection of the fire in his
alley. He Investigated and found
the old Star office in flames. He
gave the alarm and the fire depart
ment was on the job with little delay
but the fire had too much of start
to be controlled. The fire was i'm
mediately and quickly communicated
to the restaurant next south. Meth
er could this building be saved, but
the fire wall of the brick properties
to the south, in conjunction with the
efforts of the fire boys, stayed further
progress of the damage.
For a time, when the fire was at its
height, property on the south was
in imminent danger and preparations
were made to vacate, but the direc-
ton of the wind favored the endan'
gered buildings and this, together
with the fight put up by the fire com
pany, stopped the progress of the de-
structive element.
Old Post Office.
The old Star building was erected
along about 1876 or earlier, by H. j
Vail, and for many years was the
home of the New Sharon Star which
had offices on the second floor and
press room at the rear or west end
The front of the building for many
years was the home of the New Shar-
on post office under the administra.
lions of the Walls and during the ten,
ure of Doctor Wallace. The build,
ing has been unoccupied for some
time excepting by transients. A
room at the present time was devot
ed to the baling of waste paper. II
is thought by many that this may
have been responsible for the fire
When the flames were discovered
the fire had progressed to a point
where it was impossible to locate the
origin. The building was on fire from
foundation to roof and from front to
rear.
Little if anything of the equipment
of the Royal Cafe was saved. The
fire was into this building before any
one could have the property and this
loss, together with the building, is
practically total.
Fire Department Efficient.
The fire was spectacular at times
The firemen would make an impress
sion and appear to hold the advance
of the flames and then the fire would
flank the places where water played
and would advance against the fight
ers. The determined fight prolonged
the duration of the fire and at day
light the contest was still in progress
although by this time the wrecking
of the buildings had been practically
accomplished.
Excellent water pressure was main
tanned throughout the period of the
fire. The pumps at the stand pipe
were started as soon as the depart.
ment began drawing upon the supply
in the stand pipe and the supply was
maintained at all times. But for the
unfailing water supply the business
section of the town would have suf-
fered more severe loss.
Listing Seed Corn.