The Alarm was sounded about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday and it soon became known that the St. Nicholas hotel building, one of the old land marks in Coldwater, was on fire. City Marshall Jacob Kehl, who was making his nightly rounds was the first to discover the fire, and he immediately turned in the alarm. The fire company was seen at the scene of the fire and ready for quick work. They found that almost the entire interior of the front rooms, both upstairs and downstairs, was burning rapidly. Evidently, the fire started in one of the front rooms and had gradually spread to the others. Fortunately, it was a comparatively calm night, and hence the fire was slow in spreading. Good work was done by the fire fighters, but the fire had eaten through the roof in two or three places before the flames could be extinguished. When the fire company got through with their work the building presented a vacant, charred and spectral appearance. The building was owned by John Poltera, now of Kansas City. For some time it had been used as a rooming house, but a short time ago had been practically abandoned for that purpose and was entirely vacant, only one or two mattresses and a few other cast off household articles being left in the rooms. It is not yet known what Mr. Poltera's plans in regard to repairing the building may be, but it is doubtful if that will be attempted. Some insurance was carried on the property. The origin of the fire is not known.The St. Nicholas hotel building, at least a part of it, was built nearly 36 years ago by Si Vanderberg, when the town was less than two years old. the St. Nicholas at once became one of the popular hotels of the city. In the year 1890 it passed into the hands of R. A. Callaway, who owned and conducted it for 23 years. For many years it was one of the best known hotels on the Englewood branch. Since Mr. Callaway sold the property to Mr. Poltera, about eight years ago, the building has been used principally as a rooming house. The building was a frame structure, and was one of the few old landmarks of pioneer days in the town.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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