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Archiver > IAALLAMA > 2001-06 > 0993581026


From: "Mike or Sharyl" <>
Subject: [IAALLAMA-L] Lansing fire May 1885
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 10:47:01 -0800


Lansing was visited by a disastrous fire last Saturday morning.

The fire broke out in the rear of the SPENCER building and spread with
lighting rapidity. Indeed almost as soon as the alarm was given the back
portion of URMERSBACH's, FUIKS', WAGNER's, ELEMDORF's and THORP's were all
ablaze. To be brief, the block on the south side of Main, between Main and
Centre and from second to third streets, with the exception of the
postoffice is now in ashes.

The Concert Hall block, built by C.W. HUFFSCHMIDT at a cost of $30,000. It
was occupied by J.W. THORP, who saved a share of his boots and shoes. Dr.
THORNTON lost his valuable library. The Journal office is totally destroyed,
S.H. KINNE lost most of his library, ELMENDORF managed to save most of his
goods. F.W. WAGNER'S harness shop and the Misses KLEES and Masonic Hall
overhead, are among the "missing" this morning.

Others burned: L. FUIKS, clothing & F. WIER dwelling upstairs; Joe
URMERSBACH's restaurant and dwelling; Mrs. STRAUSE's store room and
dwelling; Fred KEHR resturant; John SCHINZEL residence and pop factory; H.W.
WIECKING cigar factory; E.G. SAAM boots & shoes and dwelling; SCHOBERT's
barber shop and bath rooms; L.M. ELMENDORF upstairs; McBAY building with
ALMQUIST grocery & J. MARTI bakery; John TULLY general store and residence;
Geo. KOEHLER's Blue Front store & residence; the bank with L.E. FELLOWS and
the Mirror offices; the postoffice and HOUGHTON's gallery, R.P. SPENCER's
residence; W.D. MORGAN's home and the J. HETRICH house besides several other
buildings.

[Postville Review May 30, 1885; as reported by the Lansing Mirror]
--------------------
Sharyl

Coordinator, Allamakee Co. IA Newspaper Abstracts:
http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/IA/Allamakee/index.html
Iowa State coordinator:
http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/IA/index.html

Finding our ancestors in the news gives us insight into their day-to-day
lives, loves and sorrows. Contributions always welcome (pre-1923 only).
Contact me if you want to help!!


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