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From: "James Laird" <>
Subject: [KSJEFFER] Fire at the Eli EVAN's Home.
Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2002 18:13:24 -0500

The Valley Falls New Era
Thursday
February 11, 1915

Fire at the Eli Evan's Home.

Fire was discovered in the cellar of the Eli EVANS's home Saturday night about 7 o'clock. At the ringing of the fire bell most people hurrit he scenes fo the fire from the supper table.
The fire company responded promptly, but met with ill luck when the big axle of the hose cart broke down half way to the fire. With one wheel off the cart was dragged along the walk to the fire--a hard, slow job. Getting the hose off the reel was another slow job and many precious minutes were lost before the stream of water could be turned on to the roaring flames in the cellar where the great pile of pine kindling was on fire under the kitchen floor. Why the flames did not burst through that floor was the wonder.
Owing to the high cement porch on the north, the fire could only be reached by small openings in the sides but that kept the draft off the fire. It was an hour before they "hit the spot" and mastered the fire. The big cellar was a lake of water full of floating kindling. In one corner was a wagon load of charcoal and debris.
Divided by a partition the cellar and basement store extended under the entire large building, one of the oldest in town, but well preserved.
The smoke and steam from the fire spread all through the walls and poured out of every crack and crevice, and fearing the house was doomed the furniture was all carried out into the yard, more or less damaged.
The faithful firemen never made a harder fight but they won.
Only Miss Ruby EVANS was at home when the fire was first discovered, her sisters, Maud and Pearl being at the store, and how the fire originated is not known. Ruby thought she heard some one in the cellar but was afraid to investigate and called for help when she saw some one running out past the barn.
Georgie RULE run over with gun to shoot the intruder, but he was gone and the fire in the cellar was showing. Other passersby noticed it and the alarm was soon turned in, Owen TUTT having notified central where the fire was located.
The possible visitor in the cellar looking for something to eat may have dropped a lighted match in the kindling and started the fire. The loss is covered by insurance.
The loss of the amount of $450 was promptly paid.

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• [KSJEFFER] Fire at the Eli EVAN's Home. by "James Laird" <>