Fires! 1881 & 1882

BURDICK, JONES, STENCE, VANSICKLE, LUNDT, HAZEN, CLARK, HOUSE, HATHAWAY, HOOVER, BATES, PALMER, HAGENSICK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/14/2016 at 14:50:51

Elkader Register, Fri., 9 Sept. 1881.

The residence of V. L. Burdick, of Elk twp., was entirely consumed by fire Tuesday forenoon. The contents were also all burned, nothing being saved but one chair. Loss $500, with insurance of $300 in the Clayton County Farmers' Ins. Co. This is a hard loss to Mr. Burdick and family, and their many friends sympathize with them. The origin of the fire is unknown.

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Elkader Register, Fri., 7 Apr. 1882. Home News column.

David Jones' house in Wagner twp., was burned the forepart of the week, and everything in the building destroyed. Mr. Jones is poor man who can illy stand this loss.

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Elkader Register, Fri., 15 Sept. 1882.

The residence of Mr. Michael Stence, on the old Vansickle place, was discovered on fire about 12 o'clock on Sunday last, and the house and its contents were entirely destroyed, the family saving nothing but what they had on their backs. As there has been no fire in the house since morning, it is thought to be the work of an incendiary. Mrs. Stence, formerly Mrs. Vansickle, laments the loss of many valuable keepsakes, but says she will soon rebuild. There was no insurance.

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Elkader Register, Fri., 17 Feb. 1882. Elkport Locals column.

The residence of Henry Lundt, near Communia, on the Elkport road, was totally destroyed by fire last Sabbath. The family had been attending church, and on their return discovered the house in flames. It had gained such headway that they could only save a small portion of their household goods.

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Elkader Register, Fri., 19 May 1882.

A disastrous fire broke out at Brush Creek, about 2 o'clock Monday morning last. The fire caught in Hazen's restaurant, and working east destroyed the building occupied as a millinery store and by N. Clark's family; House's harness shop; Hathaway's store, and the store of Hoover Bros. At one time it looked as if the Central House would also go, but being brick and the wind favoring, it was saved. Mrs. Thos. Bates, formerly of Elkader, living opposite Hathaway's, moved her furniture out, as it was thought the fire would cross the street. Most of the property was covered by insurance, except a building said to be owned by O. U. Palmer, of Highland twp. It is thought the fire was the work of an incendiary.

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Elkader Register, Fri., 1 Dec. 1882.

On Monday evening last the store building and residence of Mr. C. W. Hagensick, at Clayton Center, was totally destroyed by fire, also all the stock of goods and household goods. Mrs. Hagensick and daughters, who were the only ones in the building, only escaping in their night garments.

The fire was first discovered about nine o'clock, and was then under such headway that it could not be stopped. The loss is placed at $12,000, with insurance to the amount of $7,000. The mail matter, keys, stamps, etc., which were in the building were saved.

The fire caught in the cellar among the oil barrels, and its origin is a great mystery. No one was down cellar that evening with a light, and no fire was in the store room or house. It is a severe blow to Mr. Hagensick, and he and his estimable family have the sympathy of all in their great loss.

One of the worst features of the fire is the sickness of Miss Alma Hagensick. She was just recovering from a long illness, but the fright and exposure gave her a relapse, and she is now in a very critical condition. It is to be hoped that she may soon recover her usual health.

Among the many incidents of the fire was the burning to death of a pet dog, belonging to one of Mr. Hagensick's little daughters. He was in the second story, and could not be induced to jump out.

Mrs. Hagensick had a very narrow escape from death. She wished to save some valuables that were in her room, and rushed into the burning building, secured the articles and was coming down stairs when she was overcome by the smoke and fainted on the stairway. She was rescued by Rev. F. W. Seifert who carried her out.

We are requested to return the thanks of Mrs. Hagensick and family to those kind friends who assisted them on that night.