River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1925-11-12
Loss Estimated Al $4,000


woke from their slumbers only to be-
held the rising flames that streamed
heavenward from every part of the
Metropolitan-the new three-story
hotel just erected by r. w. Fleming,
and just nearing completion. At the
very first alarm the entire building
seemed to be enveloped in flames.
Almost instantly they reached the
roof of the furniture store Of Fl. G.
Haven, on the north, and the saloon
Of John McKeen, on the east. Thence
they streamed over to Ecker's res
taurant, occupied by E. c. Pierce.
At first the multitude seemed to
gaze upon the scene in win consterna-
ton and the destruction of the entire
blockseemed to be inevitiable; and it
was not until the drug store of C. f.
Davis (owned by R. N. Jensen, but
still occupied by Davis was we'll
nigh consumed, that hopes were en-
tertained of mastering the flames,
and saving the remainder of the
block.
The fight was over the millinery
store Of Mrs. Scales, standing within
ten feet of the office of DR.. Davis,
already on fire. This was desper-
ate effort, made doubly so for want
even of ladder on which to scale its
wall. But Hank Rogers and a dozen
more, soon reached the roof, and pre-
pared for the encounter. 1t was not
till this time that a full line was we'll
established to the river, and even then
it was impossible to maintain till the
ladies, by the score, came to the res
cue, and formed another line to return
the empty pals. And now for an
hour, or more, the two lines were
kept, with scarcely a break, and thus
by the most persistent efforts we ever
saw made in any emergency, the store
was saved, and with it, the remainder
Of the block; but not till some of the
siding and one door was burned to a
coal, and nearly every window in the
south side of the building was de-
stroyed.
The Metropolitan was valued at
$4,000. Insured. The loss of H. G.
Haven must reach $4,000; partially
covered by insurance. DR.. Wilcox
owned the meat market. Loss about
$500, including books and furniture
in his office in the second story. No
insurance. Loss to C. E. Davis not
reported. John McKeen was living
over the saloon, and lost all he had
in the world save the clothing of
himself and family with which they
escaped. His loss must reach $500
or more. Mr. McKeen had only $500
| insurance. H. B. Ecker's restaurant
and barn were valued at $1,000. No
insurance. G. R. Griffin lost his barn,
and other outbuildings were burned,
the value of which we have not as
certained. Mrs. Scales must have
suffered a loss of over 5000. No in
surance.
As we now review the scene Of the
disaster, we deem the saving of the
remainder Of this block, and the three
east of it, including Burhyte's lum-
Der yard, with three hundred thous-
and feet Of lumber, nothing less than
a miracle. And We here return the
! thanks of everybody to those persis-
| tent, untiring men, such as viii
Davies, Hank Bolckom, Dave Saund-
ers, Hank Rogers, Albert Lord, Rob-
ert Bowron, Jake Lord and a host Of
others, by whose diligent efforts our
forces were kept together. But what
shall we say of the ladies'? While
many men were standing idle these
ladies-ffty to seventy-fve in num-
! ber-rushed forward to fill the line
to return the empty pals to the riv-
er. All honor to those ladics Their
timely-their noble efforts-saved
the destruction of, at least 100000
worth of property. To them we know
not how to express our gratitude. In
an hour Of peril, give US the ladies,
now and FOREVER.
Incidents of the Fire
H. w. Bolckom was quite seriously
burned while attempting to fight the
frey monster, and will be laid up for
a while; Florus Mckay is the worse
for wear on account of sprained
ankle, and is around on crutches;
others were more or less injured in
various ways. Rev. Horner held his
post in the water ranks till he was
pretty much exhausted and was UNI
able to preach at the usual hour in
the morning.
John McKeen's little daughter lost
her presents of silver coin, amount
ing to over $50; the lumber yard
caught fire three times and w. T.