SALEM, NEB., HIT BY A BIG BLAZE.

SIX BUILDINGS IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT OF THE TOWN ARE DESTROYED.

(Special to The Star.)
Salem, Neb., Feb. 19. -- Fire early today nearly wiped out one-fourth of the business portion of this town. The place is without fire protection and little could be done to subdue the flames.
The principal losses were:
GEORGE I. COON, general merchandise, $12,000.
B. C. PARRISH, drugs, $3,500.
MALONE & GRAHAM, restaurant, $2,500.
RUDOLPH MEEH, butcher, $2,000.
C. W. RABBIN, building, $1,500.
The total loss amounted to about $25,000, partly insured.
The fire was discovered about 1:15 o'clock in the COON store. The back door of the building was found open. It is known that the building was properly locked up earlier in the evening. The cause of the fire is unknown, but the supposition is raised that burglars entered the COON store and may have dropped a match among some inflammable material.
The fire spread eastward, finally burning itself out at an alley. The burned buildings were all situated on the south side of the main street.
ERNEST GALLOWAY, editor of The Salem Standard was able to save a large number of his type cases, but his presses were badly damaged by the fire. The postoffice, located in the Standard office was destroyed, but the greater part of the mail matter was saved.
Other property losers were CHARLES SCHNEIDER, owner of the drug store building and DR. JINKS of Sabetha, Kansas, owner of the butcher shop building.

Lincoln Daily Star Nebraska 1916-02-19
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!