HISTORIES: "A Fire Disaster" in Barron, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Linda Mott <bikelady@worldnet.att.net>  25 June 2000	
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                           A Fire Disaster

On October 16, 1908 Barron suffered its greatest disaster by fire. At 9:35 
P.M. fire was discovered in the Gordon Bakery on Third Street. The fire 
department soon had three streams of water pouring into the building. 
However the fire had not been discovered until it was burning fiercely and 
furthermore a strong south wind was blowing.

Soon the Hood building to the North caught fire and also J.W. Heffner's 
hardware store. George Post's grocery store and W.F. Horstmann's furniture 
store and Heffner's opera house all went up in flames. Another large 
structure which burned was the Commercial Hotel. The Shell Oil Station on 
Division Ave., now occupies this site.

Good work by the fire department saved the Baptist Church and the homes of 
Charles Myer, J.W. Thompson, John West, Dr. W.H. Ellis and J.R. Ferris. 
Nelson Stebbins fell from the Morris barn and suffered a broken arm, while 
fighting the fire. The fire was under control by midnight.

Thirteen families lost their homes, five business places were destroyed and 
also the hotel. The total loss was $67,000. Insurance coverage was $23,732. 
Our older citizens will remember that fearful night.

--From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960
(used by permission)