Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-08-15
A DISASTROUS FIRE!


the west side Of Main street-ihen
closely built with wooden structures
from the Schultz premises TO the
northern corner OF Reynolds. In
March, 1906, occurred the second
memorable conilagraiion, destroying
all the buildings on the east side OF
Main from what are now the Polk
premises 10 Reynolds street. In both
instances only the most determined
and united efforts checEedthe fire and
saved the buildings on the adjoining
blocks. In this second fire one lite
was lost-Wm. Christ, q baker, who
too late attempted TO save some
property in the burning structure.
Substantial brick stores, post office
and hotel now occupy the ground
made vacant by the dread visitations.
There have been other fires, the first
in 1855, when DR.. G. W. Farrar's
dwelling and oilice-newly completed
but not yet occupied--was burned to
the ground; but destruction in those
instances was limited to a single build
ing.
At about 1880 O'Clock last Wednes-
day night the startling alarm again
sounded and aroused the sleeping
town. It was a warm night and | had
not yet retired. On inquiry, Central
said "Dr. Barnhouse's drug store is
burning!n Of course, not much time
was wasted in getting to the place
whittier all were Fastening. As l
passed along Shepherd street not
ed that fakes of fire were falling on
every side, and, owing to everything
being dry rs finder, the danger to
single covered buildings was inn
minent. A strong wind from the
southwest carried the burning flakes
three Or four blocks away. But vigi-
liant eyes were watching and several
iacipient CONGREGATIONS were quench'
! ed III the starting.
Y When | reached the courthouse
: square the building adj dining TIKI
( brick drug strore was in full flame ant
the latter well under way. In very few
minutes the Bishop tin shop took fire
y and burned like tow. A few of 1T
contents were recovered. So rapi'
n was the advance Of the fire that at
tempt to preserve the Nichols build
ing "a large frame on the east corn
er-was useless. So all endeavor wa
directed to saving the goods it con
tanned, and with partial success. Th
heat was intense, and the strong win
often threatened to carry the fir
across the street to the east and nortl
The danger to the courthouse wa
At ayerted by the heavily foliaged tree
is on the grounds, while the Whitwort
brick with the tiled roof stood as
e bulwark between destruction and til
wooden buildings on Main street az
joining. think the people of thI
n town ought to feel grateful that I'll
II threatened widespread disaster We
70 prevented.
The Handy Kitchen, in espeeia
n, was in imminent danger. Its single
:. covering several times took fire, b'
ready hands were on guard an
drenched with water the ignited roc
To those who successfully labored
o. save his property Mr.. G~randhomn
n desires to convey his assurance
Y, gratitude. Messrs. Nichols and Bar
n house also give thanks to their neigf
rs bors through whose exertions maj
OF the contents Of their stores we
IS carried out and removed beyond da
N, ger.
ia The Hanson brick blacksmith sh
ia on the west corner of the block WI
re, by great exertion, preserved, and
tia now the only building tn ereon.
~. good deal of Ironton history {
q tached to the structures now in ash'
rie The Nichols building was originally
Gated on the lot now owned by IN
On s. Conway, and was erected to ser
n as a courthouse until the completl
ora OF the present Temple of Justice
+, period of about two years. In II
~. W. S. Wonderly removed it to the
3D. it occupied ever since that time. a
dill joining it, for some years the late
ape j. II. Mccormick had a drug sto
iis' and in the real rooms the IRON Cot
no. rY REGISTER (having succeeded ~
an; Ironton Weekly Review'o printed
NJ. earlier issues.
ou The Nichols property was insu'
for $1,000 DR.. Barnhouse's, $4,000.
ma Bishop property was uninsured.
.es. -
Our Soldier Boys.
q In the last ten days letters n
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