The Monett times., 1921-04-22
MASONIC HALL DESTROYED
Beautiful Building Almost Total
Loss from Fire Originating in the
Electric Wiring.

The beautiful Masonic building at
the corner of Bond and Fourth streets
was almost totally destroyed by fire
Monday morning. The fire was
caused by defective wiring between
the ceiling of the lodge room on the
second floor and ne roof,
Very little was saved from the lodge
room itself, but the lockers in the
rear were emptied and the contents
saved. The records of all the lodges
were saved by officers and friends
who went into the burning
building at considerable risk to them
selves. All the charters were burned.
Sizer G. Gardner law finn, who oc-
cupied the lower floor, saved nearly
all their law books and furnishings,
but will suffer some loss from break
age.
The fire had evidently Deen blazing
for some time before discovered. When
Mr.. Sizer entered his office about $3.50
in the morning, he noticed a peculiar
smell, but as the building had just
been painted, he decided it was the
paint. He is now certain that the
fire had started before he reached his
office and its presence was not dis
covered until the flames burst through
the roof.
The fire company was unable to
cope with the flames for some time,
but finally got the fire under control
in time to save adjoining buildings,
which caught fire several times.
Furniture was taken from the
homes of Barney Bush and T. E. Aus
tin, as it looked for awhile as though
these buildings would burn also.
The Masonic lodge carried $4,000
insurance on the building and $1,000 |
on the contents. The loss is very
much more than is covered by the |
insurance.
The building was erected several |
years ago by the Elks lodge for club |
house and lodge room and was one of |
the most beautiful structures in the
town. Later it was bought by the
now defunct Deer lodge after which
it was bought in by the Monett State
Bank. About two years ago the Ma |
sonic lodges of Monet purchased the
building and remodeled and improved
it throughout. They furnished one of
the most beautiful lodge rooms in
the floor of which was
covered by beautiful rug which cost
$1,000. This room was completely
burned and very little was saved from
it. A new coat of paint had just
been put on the building this spring,
at big expense.
On the lower floor the rooms oc-
cupied by Sizer & Gardner were the
most complete and most beautifully
furnished law offices in this section
If the state.
The wide verandas on the building
lave been frequently used as speak
ers' stands when large outdoor gather
ngs were held and they were used ex
ensively during the war for Liberty
Bond campaigns and other patriotic
gatherings.
The loss of this beautiful building
5 a source of great regret, not only
" the Masonic lodge but by all the
itizens of the community.
The Masonic building committee has
,ent for Architect Hekinlively and
will get estimates ON rebuilding al
'nce. They expect to enlarge the
to cover the entire lot and
make it large enough for the needs OF
he rapidly growing Masonic orders
or years to come.
For the present the lodges viii
occupy the second floor Of the Ford
Agency's building at the corner or
3ond and Fourth, having secured a
ease from May ?. They may be able
0 get the building sooner than thar Q
f they can make arrangements with
thers who have rented the building.