The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-11-20
Old Place on West Side of
South Sheridan Road
Burns Today.
SLEEPERS ARE SAVED
John Schmidt and Wife Pulled
Out of Bed by Joseph Schu-
bert, Who Discovers Fire.

Flames against the bleak sky, ris-
ing high above the background OF
white snow on the ground, marked the
passing early today of an old land
mark. the former "Dick and DelP' re-
sort for some time known as the State
Line Inn which was destroyed by fire
this morning. The fire began perhaps
about midnight but was detected for
the first time about 1880 a. m.
John Schmidt, the proprietor. and
his wife, who were asleep in their
beds while the flames cracked about
them. were rescued by the bartender
Of the place, Joseph Schubert, who
came home from trip downtown in
Kenosha to find the inn in blaze.
The loss caused by fire was esti-
mated today at $4,000, this Including
the loss upon the building, fixtures
and furniture. The personal clothing
and money in the safe were removed.
The flames were still smouldering
at the place today, and the ruins of
the old inn were plainly visible from
the road The old inn is on the
north side of the road, few miles
south of the city near the State Line
road During it's history it has from
time to time excited much comment,
and has several times been raided.
John Schmidt, the proprietor of the
place, has just completed q new no.
tel across the way.
4 According to the account given of
the fire this morning by Schubert, ev-
erything was we'll about the inn when
he left at quarter of twelve for Ke-
nosha Schmidt had been ill for the
last three weeks and was confined to
his bed. Mrs. Schmidt retired at 10
o'clock. There was not much bust
ness, and at a quarter of twelve Schu-
bert went to Kenosha to get mid
might supper.
At about 1:15 or 1880 a. m. he re-
turned to find the place ablaze. Schu-
bert opened the rear door but the
place was so full of smoke that he
was thrown back. He then crawled
up on the garage and into the bed
room window where the two others
lay sleeping. All of the rooms are on
one floor, but the windows are some
eight feet from the ground. Schubert
brought Schmidt and his wife out
for the money in the safe.
He secured the $500 which had been
left there, and also the clothing in
the living rooms, valued at about
$1,000, and watches and other jewelry.
Eighteen cases of pop were rescued
from the debris this morning.
The others were out and safe, and
the clothing rescued when Schubert
remembered the faithful dog, Puppy
Boy, who was nowhere to be seen.
The Great Dane had not come out.
Schubert returned for the third time !;
he crawled down on his hands and
knees and found the big fellow, who
weighs about 1876 pounds and found
him lying on the floor. The dog had
been overcome by smoke. He was
pulled out into the. open air, and soon
recovered his wind, but is still sick
dog.
The Kenosha fire department had
sponded alone. 1t was useless to
bring out an engine for there was not
enough water available with which to
fight the fire.
The fire chief with Schubert's as
slstance took care OF the wires over
head so that live wires would not en-
danger motorists and others passing
on the road. The poles were on fire,
but the chief and Schubert with the
aid of ladder. poured water over
the pole and over the wooden arms
holding the sheaf of wires.
The origin of the fire is mystery.
One of the theories set forth is that
it may have been caused by combus-
tiop starting in coal pile. There
were twenty-seven tons of soft coal
in the basement of the tavern. An
other theory is that it started from
he furnace in some way. Efforts are
asng made to trace down these the
cries and establish the probable cause
of the fire.