1888 Grundy Center Fire

DESEELHORST, FAY, BADGER, SMITH, SHAW, KERR, STUART

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/8/2010 at 09:08:24

To The Readers:
After The Argus had gone to press and were engaged in making up the mail, the alarm of fire was sounded and in a short time the streets were alive with people trying to stop the progress of the flames. The fire was started in the furniture store of C. F. DeSeelhorst & Co., a two story frame building on the south side of Main street, by a small child playing with a match in the rear of the room and by carelessly throwing a blaze in some shavings. Mr. DeSeelhorst at once gave the alarm, and the firemen responding promptly to the call, were soon on the ground and had both chemical engines at work in the building. The denseness of the smoke and the intense heat made it most impossible to gain admittance to the building and in less than ten minutes the entire structure was a mass of flames. The Argus office, the adjoining building on the east was soon on fire and then began the work of emptying the other buildings of their contents. The building adjoining this was occupied by Fay & Badger in the millinery business and was a one story building with a tin roof and to this fact ca be attributed the controlling of the fire. Be tearing down a small building belonging to the Odd Fellows Lodge, the firemen were able to dash water on the sides of the burning buildings while other were at work on the tin roof. At this place after a very hard struggle the progress of the flames was stopped. West of the furniture store is a brick structure belonging to W. J. Smith and adjoining this is the Central House, a handsome three story veneered building. At one time it was thought impossible to save the buildings. The window frames were ablaze several ??? but an abundant supply ??? and plenty of hard work ??? succeeded in placing them out of danger. The loss to Mr. DeSeelhorst is complete, not a thing being saved. The building was owned by H. Shaw, both partly insured. The buildings occupied by Fay & Badger and The Argus office, owned by D. Kerr are also a total loss, partly insured. The loss on The Argus office is almost complete. The type and a few small articles being the only things saved. Fay & Badger succeeded in moving their stock before the fire reached them, with but slight damage done. The loss in burned buildings, stocks, etc., is estimated at upwards of $11,000 with insurance at about ???.

At this early date it is impossible to say what will be done with the Argus remnants, but as for the other parties they will seek quarters in different parts of town. The fire started at about ten o'clock and for three hours the work of the citizens was unceasing. To the women can be attributed much of the credit for the work done. It is, indeed, not flattery when we say that they were the hardest proportionate workers. Women, whether strong or weak, stood in line and passed water, while strong robust men equal two women in strength, leaned lazily against the building corners and yelled for more water. The mass of the people, however, willingly took hold and exerted themselves as if their lives were at stake. The fire was the most destructive since the one of 1878, when eight buildings went up in smoke. The firemen did remarkably well to prevent any further destruction of property, and to Chief Stuart of the Fire Department is due much praise for the efficiency of his work in controlling the workers.

--The Argus, Argus Supplement (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 August 1888