Jack County, TX - History - 1930 Bryson, Texas Fire ************************************************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************************* The Jacksboro Gazette Jacksboro, TX January 30, 1930 Fire at Bryson Bryson, Jan. 26 - Fire, believed to have been of incendiary origin, destroyed the post office and two adjacent stores here about 3 oÕclock this morning. Only the brick wall of a fireproof garage prevented the flames spreading to more buildings, as frozen water pipes prevented citizens from containing the fire. L.A. Wooten, of the Transfer and Storage company, Fort Worth, discovered that the screen and glass had been removed from a window of the post office as he drove into the town. While he was summoning W.R. Riddle, night watchman, who had passed the post office only 20 minutes before and on examining the window found it secure, flames broke out in the rear of the post office. In a few minutes, the flames spread to the adjoining building occupied by the McCloud Brothers grocery and W.L. Milburn plumbing shop. Cries to form a bucket brigade were heard in all parts of the town, which has a population of 1,000. men and women came running with buckets and tubs, but water could not be had because pipes and pumps were frozen. Fanned by a brisk wind, the flames turned the three one story frame structures into an inferno within a short time. Fear for the entire town was told and calls for held were sent to Graham and Jacksboro. Before fire departments responded from those cities, it was seen that the brick wall of MooreÕs garage was acting as a barrier to the flames. So Graham and Jacksboro firemen were advised their services would not be needed. A search of the ruins revealed only a few coins in the ashes of the post office although between $40 and $50 in silver and pennies was in the cash drawer. The absence of the coins and the open window prompted the belief that the fire was started to cover a robber. The loss of the three buildings and their contents is estimated at about $10,000.