Two Important Business Buildings and Almost Their Entire Contents Consumed by the Flames - - Heroic Work of the Fire Fighters Saved Adjoining Buildings. FIRE OCCURRED EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING
The Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges, A. L. Sumption, Merchant, J. L. Murray, Druggist, and John A. Holland and C. M. Pennington the Principal Losers - - Origin of Fire Unknown.
The most destructive fire this city has experienced for over 15 years occurred early last Wednesday morning when the Masonic building and the Holland & Pennington building, which adjoined the Masonic hall on the east, were completely destroyed, likewise the entire contents of the buildings, both upstairs and downstairs. The upper story of the Masonic building was occupied by the masons for hall purposes. It was one of the best furnished halls in this part of the state, considerable new furniture, including a new carpet, having only recently been purchased. The lower room was occupied by A. L. Sumption's General Mercantile store. The stock was quite complete, a large supply of harvest goods having been added recently. Mr. and Mrs. Sumption had rooms in the back part of the store. Most of their furniture was saved, but among the articles burned or badly damaged were Mrs. Sumption's piano and some good rugs.
The Odd Fellows hall occupied the principal part of the second floor of the Holland & Pennington building. The hall was well furnished, the paraphernalia being very fine and quite expensive. The Rebekah, Woodman, K. P. and K. and L. of S. lodges also held meetings in the same hall, and each lost everything, including records, paraphernalia, etc., the only exception being the contents of the safe owned by the Odd fellows. Dr. A. P. Harrison and his brother, DR. T. K. Harrison, dentist, occupied the front rooms on the same floor with the I. O. O. F. hall. They lost practically the entire contents of their offices. The lower room of this building was occupied by J. L. Murray's drug store. The stock was quite complete. A new and expensive fountain was only recently put in. With Mr. Murray, as with Mr. Sumption, about the only goods saved were a few in the back part of the store, and three were badly water soaked. Dave Hughes, the jeweler, who officed with Mr. Murray, lost practically everything.
J. H. Clare, who conducts a large department store in the Harbaugh building (opera block), sustained considerable loss, many of his goods being badly water soaked. A large quantity of his goods was carried out of the store to the streets. Dave Phillips, druggist, and the Roberts Phebus Hardware company, whose stores are just east of the burnt buildings, sustained only slight losses, and that from removing and replacing some of their goods.
The fire was, without question, the work of an incendiary. It was started in the ante rooms of the Odd fellows hall, and had been burning for some time when discovered. E. H. Hurd and Leslie Overstreet have sleeping rooms in the opera block, which adjoins the masonic building on the west. About 3 o'clock a.m. Mr. Hurd was awakened by a stifling smoke which came in the window. He awoke Mr. Overstreet and they gave the alarm. The fire had then spread to the adjoining rooms, and large volumes of smoke were coming out of the front windows. A number of persons quickly assembled and a fire company was soon formed. The hose was quickly brought into use, but there was considerable delay in getting the water, as the supply had been shut off near the tower. But the hurriedly organized fire company did good work, under the direction of Edward Fisher, superintendent of the city water and light plant. The boys worked heroically, and succeeded in keeping the fire from spreading beyond the two buildings. That the fire was set by some fiend, is made evident by the fact that an attempt was made, probably by the same person, to fire the buildings on last Friday night. Coal oil was used to saturate a portion of the carpet in the I. O. O. F. hall, and a fire was started, but it went out after burning only a small portion of the carpet. There is no doubt but what coal oil was used again starting the fire on Wednesday morning. It is hard to conceive how any person could be so depraved as to commit such a crime.
This fire emphasizes the fact that the building of the water works was a good thing for the city. Had it not been for the water works, many more thousand dollars worth of property would have been destroyed. But a few things were made clear by Wednesday morning's fire: We need an organized fire company, also more material with which to fight fire, especially some good hooks and ladders. These improved conditions we believe, will now soon be brought about.
The buildings which were burned were built 24 years ago, by Dr. J. S. Halliday and R. S. Bennett. The west building was finally bought by the Masonic Lodge. The east building was owned by different parties until about 4 years ago, when possession to it was acquired by John Holland and Crail Pennington. It is probable that the buildings will be rebuilt in the near future. Mr. Sumption will reopen for business soon in the new Barlow building. Mr. Murray announces that he will reopen for business soon, in the building adjoining the STAR office on the south.
APPROXIMATE LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
Masonic Lodge, two story building, 25 x 100 feet, valued at $4,500; insured for $3,000.
Masonic Lodge, furniture and paraphernalia for hall, valued at $2,500; no insurance.
John A. Holland and C. M. Pennington, two story building, 25 x 100, valued at $4,500; insured for $3,000.
Odd Fellows Lodge, paraphernalia and furniture, valued at $800; insured for $500.
Rebekah Lodge, paraphernalia and piano, valued at $700; insured for $500.
K. P. Lodge, paraphernalia, valued at $300; no insurance.
Woodmen Lodge, paraphernalia, valued at $75; no insurance.
A. L. Sumption (Cash Mercantile Co.) stock of merchandise, valued at $4,500; insured for $3,000.
A. L. Sumption carried $400 insurance on personal effects and household goods.
J. L. Murray, drug store, stock valued at $7,000; insured for about $6,000.
Dr. T. K. Harrison, dental outfit, valued at $2,200; insured for $1,500.
Dr. A. P. Harrison, office fixtures, instruments, etc., valued at $800; insured for $500.
J. E. Harbaugh, damage to building, about $800; fully insured.
J. H. Clare Department Store, damage to merchandise, principally from water, about $1,000; fully insured.
D. G. Hughes, jewelry stock and tools, valued at about $1,200; fully insured.
E. H. Hurd, damage to law library and to office fixtures, $400; fully insured.
Also see:
Coldwater Centennial Notebook, 1884 - 1984 by Evelyn Reed.
A $50,000 BLAZE! -- Coldwater's Principal Business Block in Ashes.
The Western Star, March 3, 1888.A BIG FIRE.
The Western Star, March 6, 1892.Fire Destroys Comanche County's Court House
The Western Star, November 21, 1921.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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