The Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
November 25, 1955

MOUNT AYR — The home of Senator X. T. PRENTIS on Highway 2 about one-quarter mile east of the Mount Ayr city limits, burned to the ground in a fire which broke out about 4:20 a.m. today. Mrs. PRENTIS and a granddaughter, Barbara WITTMANN, were alone in the house but escaped unhurt.

Senator PRENTIS, who represents Union, Ringgold and Decatur counties in the upper house of the state legislature, was in Des Moines last night. His daughter, Anne, was with him. Senator PRENTIS had gone to Des Moines Sunday for a meeting of the state legislature's tax study committee, scheduled for today. He returned home when he received word of the fire.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. Cecil FUNKHOUSER, chief of the Mount Ayr Fire department said. The fire apparently started in the attic of the 2-1/2 story frame farm house. The roof was a mass of flames when firement arrived.

Although hampered by the severe weather, high wind and bitter cold, and by lack of an adequate water supply, firemen prevented the flames from spreading to other buildings on the PRENTIS farm.

Both Mount Ayr fire trucks answered the alarm. The fire had gained considerable headway before firemen arrived. Nothing was saved from the house. The residence and furnishings were a total loss. FUNKHOUSER said the loss probably would amount to $20,000 or more.

The house was heated by a gas furnace.

Contribution by Julie Watts, August of 2009