Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1920-04-14

ATWATER ST0R[
The G. A. Stark Store Bum. 7,
Ground Causing Los. of Over
100000.
Fire started in the upstairs OF thu
G. A. Stark and Co. store building q,
Atwater Monday forenoon. For e
time 1t threatened destruction to al
entire block, and it is estimated t
have accompanied damage of th&
sum of 100000, at least, accordina
to reports of Mr.. Stark, the proprie
tor. The building was completely de
stroyed and also the stock Of hard
ware, furniture, implements. harness
and undertaker's supplies.
The fire was discovered at a quar-
ter of eight o'clock in the rear end
Of the store. The building faces
west. In a few moments the fire
spread along the entire second foo1
with rush. The Atwater fire de
partment was on the scene in a very
short time and continued to fight the
flames until nearly ~ o'clock before
they were under control. If it had
not been for the great work of the
firemen there is no doubt but the
Peterson-BrOman meat market build.
ing and Mrs. A. P. Christensen mill.
inery store would have been destroy.
ed by the flames. If the Mrs. Christ.
enson store would have caught fire
the entire block would likely have
been consumed by the flames, as the
buildings are all wood structures, ex-
cept the confectionery store on the
corner.
The origin of he fire is believed to
have been from the stove pipe up
stairs, and when the fire reached the
stock of mattresses the spread was
very rapid. The building was heated
by furnace, but a stove was used
in the harness department. Those
in the building at the time of the fire
were John Grinde, the harnessman,
Reuben Peterson, the manager and,
Victor Wallin, another employee.
The f1remen were slightly handi-
capped because of the cold. Even
iciles formed on their hats and coats.
The tin sheeting on the building
which burned and those adjoining
was of great help in saving the near.
by property.
Reuben Peterson, the manager, was
badly injured when he went inside
the burning building to bring out
some dynamite. He was protected
from the flames by the streams from
the water hose, but unfortunately the
forceful stream accidently was turned
into his face, which about destroyed
the sight of his right eye. He was
tawken to a hospital at Minneapolis
on the afternoon passenger train. Il
is probable that the sight Of the eye
will be saved.
The store was divided In severx.
departments. In the hardware de
partment and Office, the safe and
very few articles were saved. II
the undertaking department, which
is in charge of Martin Olson, corpse
and some collins were saved. II
the furniture part, some beds, rugs
and other articles were taken out and
in the implement department some
spreaders, the hearse, etc. were sav
ed.
In the Peterson-Broman meat mar
moved were taken out Of the build
ing. No insurance was carried OF
the inside property. The building
belonged to Mrs. James TAFT.
Everything in the millinery store
was also removed. The Thompson
restaurant and the adjacent business
places had everything ready to b,
moved out in case the fire wouli
spread.
During the fire there occurred som>
very exciting times when several oi
barrels caught fire which pssiste<
the flames to spread rapidly. Their
were also large amount of sho
gun shells and cartridges which alsl
exploded.
Word was sent to Wil1mar that tn,
fire department at this place wa
also needed; but later it was discov
cred that the water supply would Civ
out so there was no need of NOR
fire fighters. The two village we'll
were exhausted and the local freigh
coming from the west assisted II
getting water from the Great North
ern tank. Three line OF hose wer
used during the fight.
The proprietor, Mr.. G. A. STARK
was at Willmar at the time the fir
broke out and was called. He reach
ed Atwater by auto in about half a.
hour after he had been notified.
A rough estimate by Mr.. Star
places the fire loss at between $50
900 and $4,000. The amount Of IL
surance was $4,000. This spring
new supply of $4,000 of stock ha
been received on which there wa
no insurance. It is reported tha
$4,000 worth of rugs were receive
but few days before. Mr.. Star
figures his loss which is not covere
by insurance at $4,000.
The G. A. Stark and Co., purchase
the business and building in Jan,
ary 1917, from Andrew Anderson, wh
started the business. Joseph Starl
brother of G. A. Stark, has also ha
an interest until last January whe
he sold out the some to his brothe
Nothing has been decided as "
as to whether or not Mr.. Stark vi
rebuild.
Farewell Party.
Mrs. Peter Hoglund was pleasant
surprised one day last week by abo,
@S- a. -