The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-06-17
NEW MUNSTER
BURNED DOWN.
Business District Of Town
Goes Up in Flames
Early Today.
RESIDENCESARF SAVED

What was formerly the business dis
trict of New Munster, thriving town,
twenty-seven miles west of Kenosha, is
now a smouldering ruin. A disastrous
fire, which broke out shortly after
seven o'clock this morning, destroyed
sherman's general store, the garage,
the town hall, the dance hall, Ben
Henling's buffet, and the ice cream
parlors Of G. J. Schulz. Only the
most heroic work of volunteer fire.
fighters saved the whole town from
destruction. The loss is estimated
at twenty-five thousand dollars.
Cause of Fire Unknown.
The origin of the blaze is still a
mystery. 1t was discovered about
lseven-thirty in Ben Henling's buffet.
It had already made such Roadway that
the Burlington and Silverlake fire de-
partments were Immediately summons
ed. At the same time the village
chemical wagons were hastily called
into service.
For reasons undiscovered, the lat
ter failed to work as they had been
advertised and were abandoned as use
less. A water-line was established,
but proved ineffective against the fire
now raging throughout the business
district of the town.
Residents were already moving fur
niture and valuables from their homes
| in the belief that they were doomed,
when the firemen from Burlington and
ISilverlake arrived with large supplies
of chemicals Assisted by the villagers
who had already formed an efficient
bucket brigade, they succeeded in
stopping the confagration as it at
tackled the roofs of residences adjoin-
ing the ruined stores.
In the melee attendant upon this
achievement, Frank Arnold and Ray
Kirschmann, both Of New Munster,
were painfully injured by pals care
lessly thrown from the roof of one
of the blazing buildings.
Kenosha Sends Aid.
When the fire was at it's height
special couriers in automobiles arriv-
ed in Kenosha and asked for assist
ance from its fire-oficials. Mayor
Joachim and Fire Chief Schwartz
went at once to the scene Of the con-
fagration but onlyl after they had
made arrangements for fre-cars and
Irelef-parties to follow them.
The latter reached New Munster in
record time but too late to be of any
great assistance. The fire had al
ready been checked by. the depart
ments from Burlington and Silverlake.
Mayor Joachim went to town Of
fcials. assured them that Kenosha
was ready to do everything it could for
the victims Of the. fire, if the villagers
were unable to provide homes for
them. He discovered that those who
had lost residences were already
housed and were not in need of further
relief. Accordingly he returned to
Kenosha early this afternoon.
Many Visit Scene of Biaze.
AS soon as the fire at New Munster
had been announced by Evening News
bulletins, Kenoshans hurried to the
scene Of the disaster. 1t was rumored
at this time that many people had
Deen injured anu InaC nurses anu
bandages were needed. According
motor cars were packed with the lat
ter, provided BY the Red Cross Home
Service Department. They hurried to
New Munster only to find that reports
Of the fire had been exaggerated and
that medical and nursing attention
was not needed.
1t Is said that some Of the relief
parties were attracted to "Whiskey-
Hill" by "hot-stuf" other than that
provided by the fire. They report that
most Of "the stuff" was saved even if
the stores etcetera went up in flames.
Enough has been said.