Linn County KS Archives News.....La Cygne Fire; Part 2 of 2. February 9, 1878 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jim Laird jlaird@bellsouth.net July 6, 2007, 11:38 am The La Cygne Weekly Journal February 9, 1878 Linn County Saturday February 9, 1878 La Cygne Fire: Part 2 of 2: W. A. LYNAM spread the alarm at the Empire Hotel, and seeing in what quarter the fire was, knew the postoffice was in danger and hastened to the resident of J.P. KENEA, the postmaster, to inform him. Mr. Kenea arrived as soon as possible, but thanks to kind friends everything bad been done that could be, and he will ever remember the good deeds with pleasure. All the While work in the postoffice was oging on the flames were increasing in strength and rising higher and highers, consuming faster and faster the ill-fated building. From Bentley's office the fire spread to the south, driven by a light northeast wind, and but a short period was taken up in making a ruin of W.E. Piper's Gun Store. In this room was stored some powder, which occasioned two explosions, the loud reports frightening the multitude from making an attempt to save the library and law books of Selwyn DOUGLAS, Esq., next door. But there was one man afraid of neither fire nor powder, Col. James D. Snoddy, who braved them both and entered Mr. Douglas' office, and twice carrying out all the law books he could handle. Previous to this, when the building a few feet north of Bentley's occupied by Mr. L. B. HAMILTON, caught fire at the roof, he dashed a pail of water some fifteen feet above him, and smothered it effectually. The colonel came out a little singed, but yesterday morning he was enjoying usual good health. Over the postoffice was the headquarters of the La Cygne Cornet Band. As the floor of the room began to crack, A.D. JOHNSTON hastily departed with the last instrument, not particularily caring if the drumsticks were hopelessly lost. As the Lurid Flame approached the southwest corner of the building, it reached further towards the heavens and grew more appalling. Across The Street, to the west, the two-story wooden building, rented by the city council, Justice J.V. DONALDSON and Dr. R.G. MENDENHALL, was in imminent danger of destruction and all the time undergoing a scorching. As the corner fell the fire was expected to leap to this edifice and uninterruptedly run on its mad erran until the whole western side of Broadway, clear to Market street, and perhaps as much of the eastern side, were gone with thousands and thousands of dollars' worth of property licked up by the furious tongue of destruction. The Fire Had Its Own Way from the start and was completely beyond human control. Our citizens may bless the beneficient Providence for the miraculous escape. Henry Haynes acted heroically at the building appealing so invitingly to the dread despoiler. He stood before its scorching and blistering front, in almost burning heat, throwing water were it was most needed until danger ceased with the loss of his eye lashes. The Heat thrown from the fire was sufficient to blister the paint and break large glasses in front of Broadwell & Ellsorth's drug store, on the east of side of Broadway, opposite the burning block, and to cause alarm that their store and adjoining ones might be laid waste. The Farmers Savings Bank suffered slightly from broken windows. The door of the truck house was charred and panes of glass broken. The building lately vacated by Moore & Ivinson also looks a little the worse for its nearness to the fire. The Losses. The Diamond Block was an old structure. It covered considerable ground, but was cheaply constructed and the loss is estimated at $2,000 only . This is born by the La Cygne Exchange Bank. No insurance could be obtained on it. J.S. Bentley lost his library valued at $,1500; notes and accounts to the amount of $4,000 or $5,000; also, all the papers of the La Cygne Town Company. Selwyn Douglas counts his loss at $300, besides the valuable legal documents and private papers. W.E. Piper says $1,200 would about pay him for his property burned. His effects consisted of a great variety of fine and elegant tools, watch materials, guns, revolvers, etc. Robert L. and T.B. Jacobs succeeded in gallantly saving a couple of armsfull of firearms. These, we believe, are all that was rescued for Piper. It is a sorry piece of business for him, but he is so full of energy and such a capable workman, that he will soon regain what he lost. J.P. Kenea considers himself out $75 by the fiery frolic. The sidewalk on three sides of the building was burned. None of the parties burned out carried any insurance on the property destroyed. This Fire was bad enough but all ought to be thankful it was no worse. The Postoffice was distributed by Sturtevant & Rogers's drug store and the Journal office until morning, when a portion of the truck house of La Cygne Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, on Commerical stret, was rented temporarily. The postoffice for the next few days will be found at that place. Douglas moves into the building formerly occupied by Moore & Ivinson. Bentley will find a new office somewhere. It is hoped Piper will start his business in La Cygne again.. Arrested On Suspicion. Herman JONES, of Miami county, was yesterday morning arrested on a charge of arson. This Jones had been in La Cygne a number of days, on a spree, and was intoxicated Thursday. Wednesday by means of certain representations he borrowed five dollars of Mr. Bentley. Thursday, the latter discovering that the pretenses were false, went and swore out a warrant for the arrest of Jones; but before the papers were served he paid the claim. It is state that Jones afterwards made some threats against Bentley. The accused man left his boarding place, Thursday night, nearly an hour before the fire, and strayed around town it is alleged. He is now in the calaboose, being unable to raise $1,000 bail, and is held for examination before Justice Donaldson at 2 o'clock next Monday afternoon. Yesterday forenoon the ruins were the general resort and at 5 o'clock in the afternoon a coal pile was still blazing. ==== KS-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List ==== File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/linn/newspapers/lacygnef83nw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ksfiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb