New Ulm review., 1920-12-15
$4,000 Loss is
CAUSED BY FIRE
BIG BARN ON JOS. SCHILLER
FARM IN COURTLAND
DESTROYED.
23 MILK COWS AND IL WORK
HORSES SUFFOCATED.
NO SALVAGE.

Fire of unknown origin. destroyed
the large barn on the farm Of JOSEPH
Schiller, Jr., in Courtland township
together with it's entire contents, early
yesterday morning. Mrs. Schiller was
awakened at about $3.50 a, m. by the
bright light from the flaming structure
and Immediately called her husband
who, after hurried investigation
asked central to put in an emergency
call on that telephone line. Quite a
number of neighbors responded and
worked valiantly to ocnfne the blaze
to the barn.
Incendiarisna Surnised.
The fire had evidently started but
short time before Mrs. Schiller was
awakened, as only part Of the struct-
ure was in flames. 1t is believed that
the blaze was discovered about hall
an hour after it's inception. The fact
that the fire started in the haymoW
, leads Mr.. Schiller to believe that II
was case of incendiarism, although
he cannot imagine who would 40 suchl sl
cowardly, despicable act. He He. was va $
in the haymow the last time at e5:3o
o'clock or thereabouts, Monday after after
noon, when nothing unus,tal was
noticed by him. There was nothing
infammable in the structure, accord
i,rr ~ NJ. Cobi11o,
Horses and Cows Suffocated.
When Mr.. Schiller opened the door
of the basement barn, where he kept
his livestock, the flames had not pene-;
t,ated ti1is part OF lie strueti,le, sisf
there was dense smoke. Investlga-
ton revealed the fact that all OF the
"a milk cows and 12 2horses in the barn
were suffocated. Two colts and 26
head OF young cattle is all the livestock
that Mr.. Schiller has left. These were
in the barn on his adjoining farm, just
across the road from his home place.
Much Hay is Burned.
Aside from the SO head of livestock
that were suffocated, between 80 and ana
70 tons Of hay in the NOW were
burned, together with several sets OF
harness, a milking machine and a
number of other articles of lesser in
dividual value. The barn was 36xo2
feet in size and 16 feet high. The base
ment walls are Of stone, and this is the
only part Of the building that was not
destroyed by the fire.
House Catches Fire.
1t was impossible to save the harness
and other articles in the burning barn,
as the farmhouse caught fire several
times and the fire fighters had to de-
vote all their energies to eXtlnguishlng
the flames on this structure. They
succeeded in saving the house after a
heroic fight. The milk house adJom-
ing the destroyed barn, and which
contained a gasoline engine, a cream
separator and other articles, remained
intact. This structure is built OF
hollow building tile, which proved
impervious TO the flames,
Loss About $4,000.
Mr.. Schiller estimates his loss at
about $4,000, partly covered by IN
surance. There was $4,000 insurance
on the barn, but this is less than halt
of what it would cost to replace the
building at this time, which IS about
$4,000. Some insurance was also
carried on the livestock and other con-
tents, but Mr.. Schiller was unable tC
state the exact amount when we inter
viewed him yesterday morning. His
loss will lbe definitely known as soor
as the adjuster Of the insurance com.
pany has made an investigation.
Feels Loss fKeenly.
Coming as it does during the winter
season, the loss of Mr.. Schiller's barn
livestock and other equipment By
Yesterday mornings fire is felt very
keenly by him, but he is not dis
heartened. He and his family have
the sincere sympathy Of their many
friends.