The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1921-03-31
FIRE DESTROYS
CEMENT BARN
Flames Break Out Early on Sunday
Morning During High Wind and
Threaten the Entire City
SNOW AND sLEET STOP SPREAD
Firemen Fight Valiantly for Nearly
Three Hours

What might easily have been
much more disastrous blaze than it
was broke out early Sunday morning
in the cement barn north Of the Wal
dorf hotel. The alarm was turned in
about 12:45 a. m. by Mrs. P. ]. Aasen,
who got up to get drink Of water for
one of the children and happened to
see the flames, which had already
gained considerable headway. A
heavy gale was blowing and when
the firemen first appeared it seemed
that nothing except the Intervention
Of providence could prevent the de-
struction Of large part of the city.
Sparks were blown over the tops of
buildings as far south as the Klein
residence and it was expected that
other fires would break out in var
ious places before any effective work
could be done. People living in fats
in the down town section began pack
ing their movable effects and pre-
pared to get out Of the threatened
district with what little they could
save. But providence, the 6re boys
and the heavy sleet and snow COM
bined to foil the fire demon.
The chemical engine and hose carts
were hauled to the scene Of the con-
flagration by Merritt Bean, who got
his big car out in jig time. As soon
as the proper connections had been
made three powerful streams Of water
under eighty pounds pressure were
turned upon the flames, which were
then at their height, and within few
minutes the fire was under control,
although the fire boys remained on
the job for about three hours.
1t had been seen at the outset that
it would be impossible to save the
cement building where the fire orig
mated, SO efforts were confined to
preventing the spread Of the flames
to other buildings, so far as that
might be possible. The roof of the
burning building fell in upon the
! seething interior, portion Of the
walls on both sides remaining stand
ing, and it is believed this was Of ma
terial assistance to the fremen in
their battle to save the town. The
wooden sheds only a few rods to the
south, in direct line with the wind,
were not even scorched. The east
end of the building was razed to the
ground, but, while the west end was
gutted, the outside walls and partition
remained in their original position.
The building was purchased only
recently by Paul Hample. The front
part was occupied by Edwin j. Mel
son, who dispensed tires, auto acces-
sories, ETC., and Art Huffman con-
Quoted a repair shop in the rear. Mr..
Hample also used a portion of the
building as tractor sales agency.
Eleven automobiles and two trucks
were destroyed. Two Ford cars and
one Twin City tractor belonging to
Mr.. Hample were in the building. One
tractor standing outside was damaged
slightly. The Brown -Slocum Co. lost
a new International truck, Edwin Mel
son new Chalmers car, B. H.
Schuette Saxon, Geo. Tuthill one
Ford and one Chevrolet, DeLamere
man lost a new REQ, and the Home
Oil Co. is minus tank truck.
The total loss as a result of the
OlaLe pTOUdUly WILL amount TO ABOUT
$4,000, with goodly portion COW
cred by insurance. Mr.. Hample is
the heaviest loser, as he carried only
a small amount of insurance on the
building. While he will be handicap
ped as result of the blaze, it is ex-
pected that he will continue in busi-
ness as if nothing had happened. The
other losers are so thankful it was no
worse that they won't do much worry
ing.
The origin of the fire is unknown,
but conditions lend credence to the
theory that it was started by an in
cendiary. 1t seems rather peculiar
that whenever a blaze is started it
happens to be in just the right quar-
ter to do the most possible damage.
However, it might have been caused
by sparks from nearby chimneys fall
ing into an opening in the roof.
| $4,000 Fire Loss at Bismarck
| Fire of unknown origin broke out at