The last serious [fire] occurred on the night of January 11, 1883. About 8 o'clock a fire was discovered in the brick building owned by Dayton, Barber & Co., on Bridge Street. The lower floor was occupied by the grocery store of Charles Lehman, and the upper story by law offices, an the Independent Press printing office. On the same floor H. D. Smith and family and Mrs. Lydia Sniff resided. All had gone to church and left the lamp burning in the printing office, and it is supposed it exploded. The building was soon in flames, and to prevent the fire from spreading further, the cigar factory on the east side was torn down. On the west was Curdy's double store, over which were the law, insurance, and real estate offices, as well as dental rooms. This building was soon covered with men who, by hard work saved the building. The greater part of the goods, furniture and fixtures, were carried from all these rooms, except Smith's private rooms and printing office, the contents of which were all destroyed. The damage to the goods, as well as to the Curdy's building, was great, but most of the property, except Smith's, was insured for nearly enough to cover the losses.

History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas 1901. Duncan, L. Wallace. Iola, Kan., Iola Register.

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