Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-09-27

in the building but, was serving at the
other stand conducted by Mr.. Ander-
son on another spot. on the grounds:
Mr.. Anderson was in the dining room
at the time. -: n - = %1:.":
= Three men were eating in the din
ing room when the explosion occur
red. They made a hasty exit and
sought to aid in the extinguishing of
the flames but every attempt failed.
Mr. Anderson took the Pyrene ex-
tinguisher which was placed there by
the Fair Association and sought to
put out the flames. The flames at first
were not large and Mr.. Anderson thot
he could put it out. The building be-
ing but a frame wooden structure:
caught fire rapidly and within few:
moments Mr.. Anderson realized that
it was futile to try to control it and
in fact the flames drove him from the:
building.
The stove had not acted strangely
during the day and the explosion was
entirely unexpected. -.
S0SOluUS SIVvV .tAUkt4OdIcO
The gasoline stove used was one Of
those originally purchased by the
Green Lake Chautauqua association
i'll 1907. The ladies aid societies who
have used the building in late years
have not used them
Removed Trunk
Mr. Anderson removed trunk which
contained some valuables but could
not secure his handbag which also
contained some articles of value. -
90. ~ = Sends in Alarm
Ono of the women in the kitchen
ran to the telephone booth which is
located on the grounds in front of the
eating house and sent in the alarm.
>.' No: One, Injured
Fortunately no one was injured. Mr..
Anderson in attempting to put out the
small blaze which first. began, suffered
some slight burns on his fingers.
McHuqhs Alarmed
The old Gilger residence occupied
by the families Of Ed McHugh and
night policeman ALI. Rosenquist, was
endangered by the flaming building.
The direction of the wind which blew
.briskly in southwesterly direction
saved the home. Had the wind blown
more directly it would have meant the
destruction OF this building also.
Heard Explosion
Mrs. McHugh and several visitors
were seated grouped on their lawn
when they heard the explosion and
glancing up to the eating house saw
a heavy smoke and flames shoot. out
from the door of the kitchen. Within
a twinkling of an eye the entire in
terror Of the building shone red with
j light and fame. :" -
The McHughs and friends realizing
the danger of their home catching fire
Immediately, sought to remove some
of their belongings, from the home.
This they did rapidly. 49,. '
Mrs. McHugh first of all FASTENED
to the burning building to offer aid and
succeeded in preventing one of the
women who worked in the kitchen to
SO into the burning room to secure
something she had there.
L >''.1 A Burning Furnace
That the fire spread instantly was
evident from Bill cPlinck's story. Bill,
at work taking care of the motor cars
and park king them stood near the end
of the eating house when he heard the
explosion and saw the smoke pour
out of the kitchen door. ':.'
Hurrying to the entrance to the eat.
ing house he prevented several women
from trying. to enter same and sought
himself to gain entrance thru the
smoke and flames.
!" The fire however. was so intense and
the smoke So thick and blinding that
Mr.: Plinck was driven back.
r. $50. OF, Food Lost
Mr.. Anderson, the lessee, estimated
his loss at $3.50 This amount Of food
land other, belongings were lost. This
included some SIS worth of pork
chops, roast and hamburger, bread and
Il pastries; az s$t} ;EiE:2T :$]ftsEF9 iszz! !.
:e, Buns. watermelons: butter, Q large
cans Of cream and three large cans Of
milk, handbags with contents. i
~ Original Cost $1,000
The original cost 81 the building
wassin the neighbour Of s., 200: The
Fair Association carries Insurance on
the fair, buildings, but likely there
will be . considerably margin Of loss.
IS. Il leaves the fairgrounds without an
eating pavilion for the balance Of this
fair, but other stands on the grounds
will do. their best to take care <of the
crowds sss.sss@t ~ :s. { { ~. tai5435
si ists.S Fortunate Wird Direction Il. .
TWAS lucky that the wind was blow
sgingathe sire aands smoke sout over the
lake instead OF into the grounds. There
were thousands Of people in attend
ance and the grounds were well crowd
ed with autos. Had the wind blown the