The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1930-08-28
FARM BUILDINGS
DESTROYED BY FIRE
John Costello and Family, Re-
siding Northeast of City,
Suffer Severe Loss
CAUSE UNDETERMINED
Insurance of $3.50 Only Par
TALLY Covers Loss; Faulty
Telephone Connections

Fire which broke out, presumab-
ly in the haymow of the barn, and
was discovered shortly after HOO
A. M, Tuesday morning, Destroy
ed the barn and house on the farm
of John Costello mile north Of
Highway No. %, at Ward Springs.
AS soon as the fire was discover
ed neighbors began to try and get
in telephone communication with
Sank Centre to ask for aid.
The Herald editor was told by
Mr.. Costello Wednesday forenoon
that it took more than three-4uar-
tiers of an hour to get the connec-
ton. The alarm was turned in in
this city about 1915 P. M. In 81
minutes the pumper and eight men
were on the scene of the fire. They
had with them 1000 feet of hose
but water was not available.
When the local department
reached the scene the barn was
completely destroyed and the
house was on fire. Had water
been available the house would
have been saved with nominal
damage.
The barn was 32x5O II foot posts.
There was no stock in the build
ing. There was 40 loads of wild
and tame hay, 300 bushels of oats,
and two and one-half sets of work
harness. The contents were COM
pletely destroyed except the oats
and they were so badly smoked as
to be practically worthless. A hen
house, AXIS, near the barn, was
destroyed. The granary, which
stood about 300 feet to the east,
and filed with this years crop
which had been harvested a few
days before, was saved without in
jury.
The house was to the west of the
barn. perhaps 200 feet. The main
structure was 18x24, IA foot posts.
About one-half of the contents
of the house were saved.
Late Tuesday afternoon the fam
lily moved into the Catholic Parish
Springs, which was vacant.
When the fire was discovered Mr..
Costello and his 16-year-old son
were blowing out of sight of the
house and barn. Mrs. Costello was
at home. The barn was complete
lily wrapped in flames when she
saw the fire. The barn was filled
with new hay. The origin of the
fire is unknown, but it is fair to
presume that the tame hay became
overheated and caused the confla-
grafton.
The Herald editor visited the
scene of the fire Wednesday morn
ing. He found Mr.. Costello taking
a philosophical view of his misfor-
tune. He has $4,000 insurance on
the barn, chicken house and dwell
ing.
There was a small amount of in
surance on the contents of the
barn and house. He is insured in
the Hartford Farmers Mutual Fire
Insurance Company. The adjuster
had been there early this morning.
It is understood that he admitted a
total loss on the buildings but that
slight deduction was made on
contents.
Mr.. Costello expressed his appre-
citation for the very prompt re-
Spouse made by the Sank Centre
Fire Department after word of the
fire reached the city. He says he
expects to rebuild, of course. He
has a big contract on hand to get
his house and barn erected before
the winter months set in.
The farm where the fire occurr-
ed was first owned by Mr.. Costello's
father. John has lived on the farm
off and on for more than 80 years.
For a number of years he was
employed as a railroad man.
The insurance will not nearly
cover the loss sustained by Mr..
Costello, but with his Irish tenacity
he will continue to carry on.