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1887 History of Story County, Iowa by W. G. Allen

Story Co. Home Page

CAMBRIDGE FIRE 1887
Page 268 of 493

FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Fire! fire!! fire!!! was the dreadful cry from all directions in Cambridge last Saturday at about 8:30 P. Y. Hundreds of persons rushed to the spot marked by the flames and found the furniture store of Henry Fatland all ablaze. Joining this on the south was the agricultural implement house of B. O. Fatland, which was soon wrapped in flames. On farther south was a building owned by Solomon Hagen, and used as a billiard room below and a tenement house above. In about twenty-five minutes from the time the fire started in the furniture store this building was on fire.

Of Henry Fatland's building and stock only an organ, a few chairs and a stand were saved. The loss on building and contents were $2,200. Of B. O. Fatland's building and stock there was saved about $500 of stock. Loss on stock and building $2,800. Hagen's building entire loss being about $900.

North of the furniture store was the smith and plow shop belonging to Christ. Osmundson. This building was only saved by the greatest efforts. Damage to building and contents $150. On farther was the residence and shoe shop of C. Peterson. Damage to contents $25.

The snow was falling, and the wind blowing from the northeast, and only for these favorable conditions was the loss as small as it now is.

Men, women and children did all possible to save the burning buildings and contents.

Cambridge should have some means of combatting fire; but has from time to time done a great deal of talking about it—"Only this and nothing more."

We have been informed that Henry Fatland had insurance on building of $400; and on stock $1,200. B. O. Fatland had insurance on building of $400; on stock 1,600. Hagen, Osmundson and Peterson had no insurance.—(Intelligencer, Jan. 8, 1887.)




Page 268 of 493

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