SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLAR FIRE
MORRISTOWN SUFFERS BIG FIRE LOSS. PART OF THE WEST SIDE OF MAIN STREET ENTIRELY CONSUMED BY FLAMES. MERCHANTS WILL ALL RESUME BUSINESS AGAIN.

The disastrous fire of last Sunday morning will always remain in the memory of the citizens of Morristown. A little before eleven o’clock Sunday forenoon the alarm was given, and a small blaze was discovered in the building occupied by the Miner Land Co., between the walls located behind the heating stove. The fire was first discovered by boys in the land office and when found was only a small fire between two buildings, but as no water was handy and no ready assistance the fire was quick in spreading in between the roof and ceiling and the entire building was a mass of flames in a short time which shortly consumed the building, spreading both north and south. The first building to the south was that of J. C. Foot’s drug store which was burned to the ground with very little of the stock saved. Mr. Foot and family lived over the drug store, together with Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Totten, who succeeded in saving a little of their household goods. Mr. Foot’s building was a two story structure built up against the First National Bank building, and as the wind was blowing from the northwest the second story fell on the roof of the bank building, which was a tar roof and soon burned through into the bank. If the fire had not gained access by the roof there is no doubt but what this building would have been saved as the concrete wall would have withheld the fire. On account of this concrete building the fire was checked from sweeping across the street to the furniture building, which was thought at the time would not withstand the heat and flying sparks, if such had been the case this block together with the buildings across the street, on which the Hotel Grand is located, would have been destroyed,although at time fire was found on the roofs of these buildings, but were soon extinguished by those on watch. The first building to the north to be consumed by flames was the general store of E. J. Craig’s which was burned to the ground in a short time. Mr. Craig only succeeding in saving a small amount of the goods in the dry goods department, and saved most of his household goods which was in the next building used for his residence. It then spread on to the Bazaar, a general store owned by A. J. Hezel, which was completely wiped out, as well as the rooms at the rear used for living rooms. Mr. Hezel and family had gone to Aberdeen the night before and were not on hand to look after their interests, although their household furniture was partly saved. As the Bazaar building was constructed of galvanized tin, the fire was held in check for nearly an hour, and it was thought for a time that Daffinrud’s hardware building could be saved. It was at this time that the voluntary assistance of the neighboring towns arrived on special trains, including Lemmon, McIntosh, Watauga, Thunder Hawk and Keldron, and upon their arrival every citizen breathed a sigh of relief as our men had been working hard and were nearly exhausted at this time. The first train to arrive was the one from McIntosh accompanying the good citizens of both McIntosh and Watauga, who willingly lent every aid possible, which will never be forgotten by our citizens, and their efforts in strengthening our fire fighting force helped in keeping the fire in check awaiting the arrival of the Lemmon forces together with their two chemical engines who arrived just in time as the fire was fast getting beyond control again. The fire had gone too far and it was useless to try to stop it, but with the heroic assistance of our neighbors it was thought there was possibility in checking the fire at the Hezel store, and the boys gallantly fought the flames, and the Lemmon boys at this time showed their good training in fighting fire, and their efforts would have been awarded had they had the proper fire fighting utilities, which needed something better than the chemical engines. The entire hardware stock of Daffinrud 7 Co. was saved before the flames got in to the building as well as the contents in the H. L. Leathart barber shop building.
From the time the fire started until it was under control six hours had passed and left behind a loss of over $60,000 in property which was partly covered by insurance, which will be a hard blow to our unfortunate citizens at this time. E. J. Craig was the heaviest loser as he owned three of the buildings that were destroyed, which included the office building of the Miner Land Co. and J. Peter P. Healy law office, the contents of which were both nearly all saved, a residence building and his store building together with a $15,000 stock. The First National Bank’s loss is estimated at $7,000; Morristown Bazaar $12,000; C. B. Foncannon, building occupied by the Bazaar, $2,500; Foot’s Drug Store, building and stock, $7,000; Daffinrud building $3,500; Leatharts barber shop building $1,500.
It is claimed the fire originated from an over heated stove in the Miner Land Company’s office, but as the fire was located between the plaster and the outside wall, with no indications of it being burned from the inside of the room, and away from the stove pipe hole, there is a question as to its origin, and is thought it may have been set by the mice as the flames were entirely between the wall in the beginning.
The insurance adjusters are here adjusting the various losses and when completed the different merchants will be doing business in different locations until the weather will permit the erections of new buildings. Daffinrud & Co will be located in the Schreiber & Williams building; E. J. Craig in the Woodman Hall; J. Peter Healy in the E. N. Hoffman building; the Morristown Bazaar in the Schreiber & Williams building and J. C. Foot & Co. in S. M. Foot;s Furniture store. The First National Bank opened for business the day after the fire in the Northern Land Co,’s office but moved again into the building formerly occupied by the Standing Rock News which has been moved south of their burned location, where they will remain awaiting the erection of a new building, which work will be started as soon as the weather is permitable. We might mention at this time for those who opposed the city water for fire protection on account of a few mills more tax that the loss during this fire would build two good water systems for the town. And there is no question that a good stream of water at hand in the beginning of our recent fire would of saved thousands of dollars worth of property. When the water works proposition is brought up again let the man who opposes it be strung up by the heels, or a committee appointed to escort him out of town.
The citizens of Morristown unanimously extend thanks to the neighboring towns for their kindly assistance during the time of our fatal fire destruction. And we hope that we may never be called upon for a like occasion, but f the time comes it will find our citizens ever willing to respond, as our recent experience teaches us that help at these times is greatly appreciated.