Tipton, MO Business Portion In Flames, Nov 1873

FIRE AT TIPTON, MO.

$30,000 WORTH OF PROPERTY DESTROYED.

ONLY $6,000 INSURANCE.

HAZELL HOUSE IN ASHES.

The flourishing town of Tipton, Moniteau county, the junction of the Boonville branch Railroad, was visited by a terrible conflagration last night. One half the business portion of the town is reduced to ashes. We learn the fire had its origin in a business house, where a lighted lamp had been left by accident. We are not apprized as to the portion of the town consumed, further than the Hazel House, one of the best hotels in Central Missouri, is among the buildings burned. The town is composed principally of frame buildings, devoid of a fire engine or hook and ladder company, hence the flames, augmented by a strong wind, were uncontrollable, burning out entire blocks while the populace were unable to stay its ravages.
Loss is estimated at $25,000 to $30,000, on which there is little insurance.

LATER [Special to the Democrat.]
Tipton, Nov. 19, 2 P.M. -- About half past 8 o'clock last night, fire broke out in a grocery store occupied by JOHN SCHMIDT. There being a high wind from the west the flames spread rapidly, and in a few minutes the whole business portion of our town, east of the place where it origiinated was almost one continuous sheet of fire. The scene was terrific. Frame business houses to the number of fifteen were totally consumed. All were old and very inflamable.
Among those burned out the annexed names of firms are now remembered:
JOHN SCHMIDT & CO., miscellaneous stock.
W. H. CHRISTOPHER, livery stable.
CORNELIUS CROSSMAN, butcher shop.
WALTERS & KELLY, grocers.
MR. CLARK, grocery dealer.
JOSEPH BRENNEISEN, saloon.
HERMAN KNEFF, proprietor Hazell House.
Loss is estimated from $20,000 to $35,000, on which there is insurance to the amount of about $6,000 -- names of companies not learned.
The Hazell House was totally destroyed.
We were at the complete mercy of the flames -- no water, hook or ladder company.
The Hazell House, with two or three of the business houses, will be rebuilt with brick in the spring.

Daily Democrat Sedalia Missouri 1873-11-19
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!