The Wrangell sentinel., 1930-10-23
OLDEST PROTESTANT CHURCH
 IN ALASKA BURNS TO GROUND
FOUNDED BY S. HALL YOUNG IN 1878; CAMPAIGN FOR FUND TO REBUILD TO BE STARTED IMMEDIATELY

lMMEUlAIEL1
 Famed by a brisk northerly wind in the last day of the recent cold snap, a spark from the chimney of the Presbyterian church set fire to the shingles of the belfry early last Friday morning, causing a confiag- ration which reduced to ashes the oldest protestant church in Alaska,
 The fire gained headway before the fire truck reached the scene, but spectators worked hard to save what property they could before the flames drove them from the prem ises
 Building Used As School
 The church had been leased to the city for school purposes during week days and in addition to the loss of church property much val uable school property was lost.
 The fire is believed to have orig mated from a spark alighting in the dry moss on the shingles of the bell tower, or in birds nests in side the tower. Frank Goodrich, janitor for the schools, had started fires in the stoves a short time be- fore the fire was discovered. and a brisk wind from the muskeg was blowing at the time.
 Several Discover Fire
 The fire was discovered at prac- tically the same time by three or Of fo1 trict. Carl Bradley, looking out of his window, saw small flame in the tower of the church and ran to telephone the alarm from the home of Mrs. Stella Green. Walter Dygart and George Shakes also ob- served the flames about this time and raised the cry of fire" The siren at the fire hall, operated by remote control from the telephone exchange, sounded at 6:30 o'clock, and the fire truck, with Fire Chief Chet Lloyd, Neil Grant and Joe Johnson, reached the fire about 15 minutes later.
 Rev. Russell Pederson, Ole John son, Frank Desmond and Frank Goodrich were among the first to commence salvaging the removable property. Two pianos, one belong ing to the Ladies' Aid and the oth- CT to the school, were carried out first. Two sewing machines, a a- dio-phonograph set, ten typewriters and a globe, all school equipment, were saved; also a set of Encyclo- pedia Britannica, which was church property.
 City Is Endangered
 The f1remen concentrated three streams of water on the front of the church, whence ignited shingles were being carried by the wind to the business section of Front street. Fires from the flying shingles start ed almost simultaneously on the roof of the post office, the Drift Inn, the Wheeler buildings, the City Store, the Wrangell Hotel and the cold storage plant. Many other minor fires were reported, but quick work by chemical and bucket brig ades halted their progress. Tom Fugita is reported to have done good work with a 100-foot fire hose which he keeps in readiness for fire. He kept a stream of water on the buildings within reach of his hose and is credited by observers with saving the Lynch property
 Church Insured
 The loss to the church has not been estimated The building, which was started in 1878 with lumber brought from Shakan, was covered by a group insurance which the Presbyterian church maintains on all their property in Alaska Among other losses are the church pews, the pulpit, chairs, communion ta- ble, baptismal stand, hymnals, all lighting fixtures, a 300-volume li- brary and the church bell
 a The loss to the Wrangell schools will amount to approximately 5000 according to Supt. Rasmussen. All the desks of the senior high school classes, together with text books and scientific apparatus, were burned. With the exception of perhaps 100 books which had been loaned to pu- pills, the school library was lost. Some of the chemicals used for ex- perimental purposes, and ten type writers were saved.