Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A simple news item in the Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 31, 1891, stated:
"There are more horses and mules bought and sold at Fon Cook's Stable in Valley Falls than any other place in the county."
Ironically, the same news source, Saturday, Oct. 8, 1892, reported:
"Last Tuesday night, about 8 o'clock, the alarm of fire was sounded. Cook's Livery Stable was burning. Before the alarm was given, the fire had advanced so far that nothing could be done to save the barn, nor contents.
"The loft was full of hay and everything was so dry that the flames licked up the building as if it were shavings. The fire company worked manfully on adjoining buildings and saved the Hillyer House block. Had it not been for our water works and fire company, the business part of this town would have been a heap of smoldering ashes.
"Mr. Cook's loss is considerable, having 19 horses burned. Origin of the fire is unknown."
Nov. 24, 1894, from the New Era:
"Swallow's Drug Store and Nutting's Building's Ruined.
"Last Saturday morning about 2 o'clock, our city was again visited by a disastrous fire that for a time threatened the complete destruction of all the business houses on the north side of Broadway, west of Sycamore, and it was only by the hardest kind of work and efficiency of our excellent water works system that the Masonic Building was saved and the fire confined to Legler's and Nutting's brick building. No reason can be assigned the fire's origin. It was supposed to be spontaneous combustion.
"It started near the prescription case. The entire stock of drugs, recently invoiced over $3,700, is a complete ruin. The Dr. was on a deal to sell the store and would have had it sold in 10 more days. The stock was insured for $2,700."
Another fire — Valley Falls New Era, Jan. 5, 1895:
"Our city has again been visited by a disastrous conflagration, and inside of two hours our business houses completely gutted by fire and water. About 10:15 Wednesday night, a dense volume of smoke was seen coming out of the stairway between Paxton and Paxton's Store and Mrs. A. Murray's Millinery Store. Joe Ireland and Ed Burkert room upstairs and were nearly suffocated by the smoke. Mrs. Murray has a dressmaking room upstairs and lives there. Dr. Gillman's Dental Office is upstairs over Mrs. Murray's store and R.K. McCarney has his real estate and insurance over the Paxton's Store.
"There are various rumors how the fire started. Night watchman Gray gave the alarm and the city hall fire gong was rung but was not loud enough to awaken many. The hose cart was quickly pulled to the fire scene and some hands were found to man the hose. Two streams of water were turned on the burning stock of goods.
"The building is brick and the fire was confined inside. Mrs. A. Murray had a $3,400 stock of millinery goods, which were a total loss, no insurance; Dr. Gillman's dental tools and office fixtures ruined, no insurance; Mr. McCarney's office was ruined, he had insurance.
"Praise to those who fought the flames and kept them from spreading and for the best water works system in the state."
Valley Falls New Era, Saturday, Nov. 9, 1895:
"Burned out. A disastrous blaze. Our city was again visited by a disastrous fire, the third to occur within the space of less than one year, and had it not been for our excellent water services and gallant fire department, the north side of Broadway would now be in ruins. Nine o'clock Sunday night, George Winfield, who worked in 'Dad' Harmon's Livery Stable, discovered fire in one of the empty stalls in the stable. There was a strong smell of coal oil, and there is no doubt that the stable was set on fire.
"He (Winfield) gave the alarm and started to get the horses out. He succeeded in cutting a number of the animals loose and leading them to the door, but they would break loose from him and run back in. He saved a mare belonging to him and two head belonging to Mr. Harmon. Eighteen head, six Mr. Harmon's, perished in the flames. Dr. Marks lost his driving team, buggy, and grip full of instruments. Dr. England lost his team and phaeton (light, four-wheeled carriage), John Beeson lost a team and the organman had a team of horses and mules burn.
"The fire spread rapidly owing to high winds from the south. The skating rink, belonging to David Nutting, was a complete loss and he lost two pool and one billiard table and about 50 pair of roller skates. A building between the livery stable and Swiler's Drug Store, occupied by John Beeson for a poultry house, contained about a ton of poultry destroyed by the fire.
"Praise to the fire department boys under the leadership of Capt. DeLorm for the work they did fighting the flames."
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