Brainerd, MN fire, Jan 1907

BAD BLAZE AT BRAINERD; SHOCK KILLS TWO WOMEN

Thousands of Dollars Worth of Property Is Destroyed by Flames Originating In the Rielly Block - High Wind Blowing Hampers the Work of the Fire Department.

(News Tribune Special.)

BRAINERD, Minn., Jan. 22. - Two people are dead, and thousands of dollars worth of property was destroyed in a disastrous fire which occurred here early tongiht. The fire started in the Reilly block, and after burning fiercely for two hours, communicated to the Citizen's State Bank building.

Mrs. Elizabeth Cossins, mother of Mrs. R. Parker and Mrs. A. P. Raymond, aged 92, died when hearing of the fire, the shock proving fatal.

A high wind was blowing, which made it difficult for the department to fight the flames. Fortunately all the people in the buildings had sufficient time to escape. The Reilly building was occupied by Brockway & Parker, grocers, and M. J. Reis, dry goods. Over the stores M. J. Reilly and H. P. Dunn had their residences and they lost everything.

At midnight the fire was not under control, and it will probably be several hours before the flames are subdued. The Citizens' State Bank building was occupied by R. Parker, dry goods; A. T. Sorenson, jeweler, and Glen Graham, music store. The loss on the bank building and fixtures is $15,000, partially covered by insurance. R. Parker's stock, valued at $15,000 was only partially saved. A. T. Sorenson's loss is $500.

Telephone Exchange Suspends.

R. Parker, living over the store, lost nearly all his household effects. The telephone office has suspended business and the chances are that the firemen will save the building. It is impossible to estimate the loss at this time, but it will go into the thousands. Very little insurance is carried as the rate was very high on the block. All the buildings and contents are about totally destroyed. There is no telling how the fire started.

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN 23 Jan 1907
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!