Greer Co. OK - Mangum Fire News Event Submitted by: Jodean Martin jodeanmartin@cox.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mangum Fire News Event FIRE SUN-MONITOR PRINTING OFFICE AND REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE MANGUM STAR NOV 14, 1901 MANGUM, OKLA TERR. ? Sunday night at 11:10 the whole town was electrified by the alarm of fire, and every one who could get on the streets were there in a very few minutes; to lend aid, either in personal service or advice as to how it ought to be done. Be it said to the credit of the crowd that all was done that could have been done, with the facilities at hand. The fire originated in the Arkansaw saloon and it positively known that it was of incendiary origin. The fire spread rapidly, aided by a stiff breeze from the south. In a few minutes Chaney's grocery store on the north and Chinn's furniture store on the south were in flames; however willing hands saved all or nearly all of Chinn's stocks, the only damage resulting was from breakage. The fire quickly swept on to the Chaney grocery store, the Sun-Monitor Printing office, Bachelor & Powers grocery store, and in a short time across the street to Wells & Mathews law office, then to Justice Mc Millian's office adjoining, then to the Register of deeds office. The contents of all these offices were saved, owing to their distance from the starting place, and the willingness of the crowd to assist. On the south Eaton and Lowe's furniture store was saved only by the most heroic efforts of the crowd. If it had burned, the court house and clerk's office, would have been emptied of its prisoners, in which case some or all of them hoped to make their escape. They were very anxious to be taken out, pretending to be in great fear. Of course they hoped in the general excitement, to find a way of escape, but under-sheriff Bragg was prepared for that emergency and would have taken sure measures of precaution against such contingency. It took almost superhuman efforts to save the east side hotel, just east of Bachelor & Powers store. Men on the roof and at the head of the stairs kept wet blankets and a continuous stream of water playing on it, notwithstanding the blistering heat. As it was the whole west end was blistered and blackened. Saving this house, in all probability saved the Neoll & George Lumber yard, which in turn might have conveyed the fire to the Johnson Hotel on the east and the Stephens & Browne Lumber yard, and the Chickasha wholesale grocery house on the north. At one stage of the fire sparks showered freely on the roofs of the Windsor Hotel and the Star office but with no other result that to demonstrate that if the wind had been blowing twice as strong the fire would certainly have been much more destructive. Of the losses, Eaton & Lowe's which was chiefly from moving their stock, and scorching the blistering their house is fully covered by insurance. Chinn had insurance. The house which was owned by L.A. Sweet was a total loss. The Recorder's office belonging to Uncle Ealum was uninsured as was his barn which was torn up in moving it out of the way to check the fire. The newspaper man got the worst of it. Br. Crittenden of the Sun Monitor, having sustained the heaviest loss of any, but with the usual pluck and persistance of a newspaper man he goes to work to renew his plant. He will not miss an issue, and in course of time will be as well equipped as ever. This is the first fire Mangum has ever had except that two small barns have burnt here in years past, and a small residence was struck by lightning and burned down last spring. Out on bond H.H. Tinsley and G. W. Vanzant who were arrested Monday, charged with incendiarism in the origin or the fire Sunday night had a preliminary hearing before Judge Clay yesterday morning and were bound over in the sum of $1,000 to await the action of the grand jury. The cases against Batchlor and Vanzant were dismissed. Mangum Star, Dec 12, 1901 Fire, Loss over $30,000 in cash, Records of Four County Offices burned, land office and postoffice also. About 3;30 Sunday morning the alarm was given and hundred of people were called from their comfortable beds to watch Mangum's best business house burn to ashes, during a blinding snow storm, which had covered the roofs of houses with ice and snow, which fact alone saved hundred of thousands of dollars to the town. The fire originated in the Oklahoma Drug Co. the fumes from burning drugs were suffocating to those sleeping upstairs and drove them at once from the burning building. The same cause made it impossible to save anything in any part of the house. W. H. Beauchamp took his typewriter with him as he fled and Jas. Scarborough his trunk. E. E. Mc Collister broke the plate glass in front of his book store and saved a desk containing some valuables, papers mostly, the entire building was consumed. Jno Dieters shoe shop immediately in the rear of the post office and Dr. Dawson's office joining it were burned. W. C. Shadden, in the postoffice lost furnishings and stamps. Records of the office and about 60 mail sacks were there. The land office, according to Judge Oliphant was $1000. the Judge's own loss about the same. The District clerks records were entirely destroyed except those he had at the court house temporarily during court week. C. H. Eagan office was destroyed and his records as United States Commissioner. The Judge records involving the marriage records contained about 1000 marriages and probate records are gone. Judge Clay's library is gone. Judge Kelly and Mr. Mansur occupied the same rooms with Judge Clay The County Superintendents records were a complete loss. W. H. Beauchamp used the same office. The Co Att office was involved in the fire and destroyed valuable evidence which may result in murderers escaping punishment. Judge Thackers library is lost. J.O. Abstracter lost cash. Mr. High was with him J. M. Wileman lost a library. J. F. Griffith lost library and furniture. Oscar Smith was in the same office. Alldredge & Himes lost livary and furniture. Att'y Jones was in this office Don Carlos & son lost library and furnishings. Jno Dieter, whose shoe shop was in the rear of the post office and Dr. Dawson whose office adjoined him lost all their belongings. The county records cannot be replaced. However the most valuable part of the county's records were not involved.