Belle Plaine, IA Business Fire, Oct 1908

BIG FIRE AT BELLE PLAINE.

Belle Plaine, Ia. -- Fire destroyed $25,000 worth of property and left Belle Plaine without a grain market of any kind. The fire was discovered about 2 o'clock a.m., Oct. 18th, in the southwest corner of the W. H. ROCKWELL & Co. elevator, and in an incredibly short space of time the building was enveloped in flames and collapsed. In the meantime the fire had been communicated to the Western Grain company's elevator, situated but a few feet to the west of the other, and it, too, was destroyed. Three freight cars, one loaded with grain and two with merchandise, also burned. The freight depot on the east and the opera house and other buildings across the street to the north were saved only by the most incessant effort on the part of the fire department. Several of these buildings were on fire at different times, as was also the PLUMB implement house to the west.

Adams County Free Press Corning Iowa 1908-10-31
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!