TROY LANDMARK BADLY DAMAGED IN SUNDAY FIRE

Residence of late John S Jarvis, Being Remolded, Damaged During Blaze of Unknown Origin Yesterday.

STARTED WHERE MATERIALS WAS KEPT

Place Recently Acquired By An East St Louisan as Site to Entertain Friends With Golf and Fishing.

The old home of the late John S. Jarvis, once the finest residence in Troy, was greatly damaged by a fire of undetermined origin Sunday morning at 1 o’clock. The place was erected by a Mr. Thorp, about 60 years ago, when he located at Troy and operated a large flour mill for several years. An injury he suffered resulted in a cancer and after his death the place was purchased by Mr. Jarvis.

The blaze of yesterday was discovered by Ben Jenk. Within a few minutes the entire interior was in flames. Nothing could be done to save it. Only the brick walls are standing today.

Thomas Humphries, of East St. Louis, head of the Humphries Construction Company, with offices in St. Louis, recently purchased the place from the Jarvis heirs and had begun remodeling it for a summer home. Besides the old brick residence the place contains a large acreage of land and Mr. Humphries had plans for extensive alterations.

Some of the alterations had been completed. A new tile roof had been laid and installation of a large heating plant was under way. The building was without a fire yesterday.

Two men who have been working about the place, A. E. Miller and William Ditto, had been living on the grounds, They were asleep in a summer kitchen Sunday morning when the fire was discovered. They were awakened but too late to save the property.

It is believed the fire started in one of the from rooms where Mr. Humphries had stored a large quantity of paint, oil and other materials, needed later for the decorations.

Mr. Humphries was notified and reached the place within an hour after the fire. He returned for a second visit yesterday afternoon and ordered the tearing down of walls preparatory to the erection of another suitable structure on the grounds.

Years ago the place was the scene of a number of pleasant gatherings and there are a few in the county who recall the housewarming given by the Thorps.

A golf course is to be built for Mr. Humphries. A large garage for several automobiles has been erected. Mr. Humphries expects to stock a pond on the place with fish this spring.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL 11 Feb 1929
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Transcribed by Audrey. Thank you, Audrey!