Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-03

under the door of the second story i
was most difficult matter to reach
the seat OF the flames, That the DAM
age was kept down to a 100000 loss,
and especially that the building was
not damaged to greater extent, Is
considered most fortunate. Tenants Of
the store rooms declared that the fire
was handled as we'll as it could pos
sibly have been. 1t was $3.50 this morn
ing before the fire was declared under
control.
Originates in Cook Basement.
That the fire originated in the base
ment of the Cook store there Is no
doubt. Just what caused it, however Is
problematical. One of two causes is
considered most likely by Fire Chief
Anderson and insurance men. Either
"a lighted cigar stub set fire to parti-
ton alongside the north bowling alley,
or spontaneous combustion in sweep
ing compound, large sacks of which
were stored in the basement along the
west wall, Is believed to have been re-
spOnsible. 1t was 12:45 before Mr..
Cook left his place Of business. Cooks
loss is the only one of the several sus-
tanned that is not covered by insurance.
Mr.. Cook reduced the amount Of his
insurance a few years ago. when the
higher rates went into effect. He esti-
mates hts loss at $500, with insurance
at $780,
Thinks Bowling Alley Total Loss.
Mr.. Cook thinks his losses in bowl
ing alleys, valued at $4,000. will be
total owing to the warping Of tn,
- at,
a $4,000 stock. is estimated at s3,500 as
tobacco losses always are heavy, owing
to absorption of smoke. The loss on
the fixtures are estimated at $4,000.
From the fire in the basement, which
is shown to have been the hottest neal
where there was small pile Of lumber
and where the sweeping compound was
stored, the flames spread in both direc-
tons east and west. The flames fol-
lowed the studding upward, along the
partition, and then between the joists
Of the second floor and the Steel cell
ing, entering the -99-Cent Variety
Store, owned by Mrs. Fern Baxter, next
door east. The flames spread clear
across the ceiling Of this storeroom.
where the smoke and water damage Ia
heavy.
To the west the fire burned thru the
basement and first floor Of the Sinclair
Tea and Coffee Company, while toward
the east, after being communicated to
the Baxter store, they sped upward
along the walls, burning thru into tho
office Of DR.. II. c. Mueller, over the
Baxter store. There was more or less
smoke and water damage in the differ
~ IN, 81 ~ M
ond floor.
Mrs. 1axter's Loss Severe.
Mrs. Bakers loss on stock Is esti-
mated as the heaviest Of all She had
a $4,000 stock, much Of which is ruin
ed, and a great deal more damaged.
The more costly goods in the store, on
display In the north half Of the store
room, suffered most. Large stocks Of
candies were ruined by smoke and
water. While there is no loss by fire
in the Baxter store, the smoke and
water damage Is heavy. The basement
where a large reserve stock is stored,
was damaged by water. Mrs. Baxter
estimates her loss at $4,000. She car
ried $22,60o insurance.
Sinclair STR Loss $2,5oo
The Sinclair Tea and Coffee Com
pany was extremely fortunate in that
the draft that carried the flames went
in the opposite direction. AS 1t was
tho fire scorched the ceiling Of the
basement over It's entire width. Water
damage in the basement to box and
package goods, such AZ starch and
cocoa, forms tho heaviest loss. The
breakase Of storage extracts in the
basement was slight and the stock Of
china on the first floor escaped with
little breakage, greatest where tho
flames burst thru from the main floor
Of the Cook store. The company also
was fortunate in having It's large re-