Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-02-10
$500 IN CASH IS
TAKEN FROM BOSTON
STORE SAFE UNHURT.
PAPERS AS WELL AS
RECORDS ARE REMOVED INTACT
-ADJUSTORS ARE READY TO
RAiGHTEN OUT INSURANCE
$4,000 PROTECTION ON
BUILDING.

BUILDING.
Access to the safe which plunged
to the bottom of the Boston store
when the interior of the building col
lapsed Saturday, was attained this
morning, when diggers with pixies and
shovels cleared away debris that Gov
cred the iron strong box and exposed
II so that the combination could be
WORKED successful.
$500 in cash and checks was recov-
cred from the interior of the safe
The money and valuable papers were
intact, undamaged by the extreme
heat, but thoroly drenched by the
large quantities Of water that filled
the basement while the firemen We're
conducting their fight to rescue the
remainder of the block from fire
Records of the firm, alone worth
thousands Of dollars were recovered
at the same time. All credits con
tanned in them are in readable con
dition, and, after being dried, will
serve as an important aid in colec-
ting bills payable to Clapper & Yer
ner owners of the store,
Fate played a kindly hand in drop
ping the safe to the basement. When
ba
was door-side mp. The combination
was easily worked and when the last
bolt was thrown off the door slid of,
exposing the interior as drenched. but
in no other way harmed. The intense
heat failed to warp the safe.
More than six dollars of the $40
change left in the cash register was
also recovered, The change, scatter
piece by piece Many coins were melt
ed together showing with what in
tensity the flames ragged in that quar-
ter of the building after the floors top
pied in.
Wreck Front Wall.
Following the roof and interior
floors collapse on Saturday. the front
vail of the building remained stand
ing, but to remove an extreme hazard
TO the firemen, it was necessary early
Sunday morning to pull the wall down
The south half tumbled in without
great effort as the sag was toward
the interior. The north half requir-
ed lot of work before it was brought
down; blocks and tackle and a dozen
or more men being necessary to com
plete the task The rear wall still
stands intact
Insurance Papers Safe.
Insurance papers were found in the
cafe by Mr.. Clapper and show that
while they call for a large sum on the
stock and fixtures that there probably
will be a shortage when the final set
tlement is made. Great quantities
of stock were unpacked in the base
ment while counters and shelves were
filled to overlooking with goods for
the big sale being conducted by the
store. Mr.. Clapper this afternoon
stated he was not fully protected
against loss, as was at first believed.
Ready to Adjust.
Aiustors are now waiting word
from Mr. Hossack, who is in the
south for the winter before begin
ming to adjust their losses on the
building. Sixteen thousand dollars
in insurance was carried on the store,
built in 1892 when labor and materials
were cheap, but which could not be
constructed now for much less than
double the amount it cost then.
With the recovery of his books and
records Mr.. Clapper announced him
self ready to proceed with the adjust
ment Immediately. AS the building
and contents are complete losses no
trouble is expected in getting a
speedy settlement on the losses.
Will Reopen Store. f
Announcement that steps are now
being taken to acquire the GOodnet
ter building on La Sale street, where
/ the Boston Store will be reopened
was made today by Mr. Clapper. 4
consultation was held between Mr.
Clapper and Mr. Werner in Ottawa
yesterday when it was determined Il
continue the business in the new 10
cation.
Clock Keeps on Running
One of the last things in the stor,
to be destroyed by the fire was th'
electrical cock on the side of tn,
wall This clock was one which i
from their main office. The roof ant
the floors fell, but in some miraculou