The Medford Patriot. (Medford, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 29, 1911 Page: 1 of 9
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VOL. XVIIt
MEDFORD, GRANT COUNTY. OKLAHOMA. THURSDAY, JUNE 20.1911
North Side of Cherokee Avenue Looking West After the Fire.
MEDFORD FIRE SWEPT
Five Blocks of Business Houses and Residences
Destroyed in Two Hours
A Scene of Unparalelled Desolation Distin-
guishes Entire Town
Last Sunday night the fire whistle
at the electric light power house sent
a thrill of terror through the hearts
of our people. The wind had been
blowing at the rate of forty miles an
hour all through the 'day as hot as if
it had come from off a furnace. It
was soon discovered that the Medford
Mills were on fire and the whole
town, men, women and children were
in masses on the streets in a few
mqments. For a time it was suppos-
ed that the fire department had the
flames under control but when a col-
umn of fire shot upward out of the
elevator all knew then that the Mills
were doomed and the entire twon en-
dangered. The flames sent a shower
of burning cinders through the air cov-
ering the buildings in the path of the
wind. Building after building caught
fire and united in accelerating the vol-
umn of fire that rolled over the un-
protected buildings. In an incredible
short time every building on Cherokee
avenue was aflame. The heat and
sparks were so intense and numerous
that It was impossible to save even
the slightest portion of goods from the
burning buildings. The electric lights
had been put out when the flames
first struck the wires and the pump-
ing from the new well was also render-
ed impossible for the same reason.
All that the people could do was to
look on in helpless anxiety and see
their business houses stocks of goods
and residences absolutely licked up by
the flames. Heroic efforts were
made to assist one another but in vain
it was useles^. For five blocks Med-
ford is fire-swept. As will be seen by
the fatal list published in these col-
umns, almost every principal business
has been wiped out of existence. But
our people are brave and determined.
Out of the wreck and ruin a newer
and a better Medford will spring up
Our people are united by a great lo.^s
and common sorrow. They will pre-
serve the spirit of pluck and energy
that so well distinguishes the western
people. The fire is supposed to Lave
originated from sparks from a Rock
Island passenger train that passed
through a few minutes before the fire
broke out. Below is a lis: of tho
principal losers by the catastrophe.
Medford Mill & Elevator Co., loss
$50,000 insurance $20,000.
J. F. Thomson Lumber Co., loss
$15,000, insurance $11,000.
Brown Mercantile Co., loss $15,000,
insurance $8,000.
Boston Store, loss $20,000, insur-
ance $11,500.
Roff & Brpwn, general mdse, loss
S°uth Side of Cherokee Avenue Looking West Before the Fire.
frvs?:
m
Cherokee Avenue Looking West Before the Fire.
$30,000, insurance $13,T5DO.
J. C. Binger, two-story brick, loss
$12,000, insurance $3,000.
Wilson Drug Store, loss $3,500, in-
surance $1,500.
Grant County Drug Co., loss 3,000,
Ro Insurance.
Owl Drug Store, loss $7,500, insur-
ance $4,700,
Grjievs & Co., drugs and sundries,
loss, $1,750, insurance $1,250.
Medford Star, loss 3,000, insurance
$1,500.
Medford Patriot, loss $3,000, Insur-
ance $1,000.
Welter & Simons, two-story brick,
loss $4,000, insurance $3,000.
W. W. Welter, brick building, loss
$2,000, insurance $1,500.
Postoffice building, two-story brick
loss, $4,000, insurance $3,000.
Postoffice fixtures, loss $2,500, in-
surance $2,000.
Crand Central Livery Barn, loss
M.750, insurance not known.
Davis Livery Barn, loss $900, no
nsurance.
Grant County Bank, loss $1,000, in-
Jurance $700.
I. J. Natelson Clothing store, loss
f9,000, insurance $3,000.
Strohmeier Variety store, loss $L\-
iOO, insurance $1000.
Joe Lark Pool Hall, loss $1,000, no
insurance.
Joner Hatfield, pool hall, loss $2,-
1100, insurance $1,000.
.McCracken. brick building, loss
M500, insurance $1000.
Kelsey Restaurant, loss $5500, in-
surance $1800.
Simcoes short order, loss $300, no
insurance.
Hendersons Cafe, loss $2500, no in-
surance.
Jones Barber shop, loss $2000, in-
surance $500.
Batten Real Estate Office, lone l)00,
no insurance.
Kelly Cream station, loss 1750, no
insurance.
Estes Furniture & Undertaking Co.,
loss $10,000, insurance $5,000.
Pioneer Telephone Co., loss $9500,,
insurance not known.
Dr. I. V. Hardy, loss $1200. no in
surance.
J. G. McKelvy, attorney, loss $750,
no insurance.
Strider millinery, $750, no insur-
ance.
Adams Harness Shop, loss $2500,
no insurance.
Adams Shoe Shop, loss $200, no in-
surance.
City .Meat Market, loss $800, no in-
surance.
Chism Tog Shop, loss $150, no in-
surance.
Medford Pantatorium, loss $100, no
insurance.
Falkenberg Meat Market, loss $1400.
insurance $500.
Odd Fellow Hall, loss $1500, no in
surance.
I<ong Produce Co.. loss $1000. small
insurance.
C. O Carpenter, loss $25, no insur-
ance.
I. H. Ruth, real estate, loss $100,
no insurance.
Graves studio. Joss $2,000, insurance
$1500
J. S. Harper, loss $12,000, no Insur
ance.
A. C. Glenn, attorney, loss $1500, no
insurance.
J M. Blood, dentist, loss $600. in-
>iirance linn
R A. Hutchinson, Jeweler, loss
200, Insurance $1400.
Arcade building, loss $2500, Insur-
ance $1000.
Quigley brick, loss $2,750, no in-
I tuirance.
! P. M. Parvin, loss $75, no Insurance.
I Reed building, loss, $3,500, Insur
anco $1,500.
W. R. Splcknell. two-story brick,
loss $5000, small Insurance.
1). L. Cllne, frame building, loss
$2,000, insurance $1000.
Stewart estate, frame buildings,
loss $1000, insured.
\V. R. Splcknell, frame building,
loss $2000, no Insurance.
Mrs. Evans, residence, loss $1200
E. L. Davis, loss $500, insurance
$300.
J. H. Fuss, loss $150 no Insurance.
Palmer building, loss $500, no in-
surance.
Peters bakery, loss $500, Insurance
$300.
Dr. N. Stiles, loss $400, no Insur-
ance.
C. N. Palmer, frame buildings, loss
$H00, no Insurance.
.1. W. Galvin, frame buildings, loss
no Insurance.
H. T. Simons, household goods, loss
$2000, insurance $500.
J. G. Soucek, blacksmith shop, loss
$;t0U0, Insurance $1500.
Quigley frair • b"Udi-<r. los- *12"0.
to insurance.
FIRE NOTES.
The heroine of the fire, perhaps be-
longs to Miss Dishman, the popular
night operator in Pioneer Central.
She stood at her post and gave the
alarm, and waited on the public till
the room got warm; she then rung
off, and went for the door, and sac-
rificed her clothes that was left be-
fore.
One of the business men of Medford
said that C. P. Thacker, was damaged
by the fire to some extent, but not
in loss of property. The flames be-
came so Intense when he stood in the
door of his tonsorial parlor fighting
back the flames, that his whole face
was scortched, and he has not needed
a shave since.
Mr. J. E. Falkenberg was one of
the men who lost out. Ed. was the
sole owner and proprietor of the
Palace Meat Market and had a loss
of $1400 with but $500 insurance. But
ljd is a young man, a hustler who
has been here all his life, and who
has always made good, and we pre-
dict before many days he will have
one of the best shops in town and con-
tinue to make good with the people.
The stayer is the one who does the
good.
The Brown Mercantile Co. lost ev-
erything complete. This does not
stop them. They have rented one of
the finest store rooms in Medford
at any time. Mr. ,T. S. Murrell, the
Secretary and Treasurer of this popu
lar store, in speaking of their loss
said: "We only saved a small amount
from our mammoth stock, and this
salvage will be placed on sale at
once. We expect to stock up with
new goods, and give the people the
best store they ever had. We pay
cash for our goods, and we buy so
we can sell right. We will have more
room when we get into our new loca-
tion, which will be this week, and will
have plenty of clerks to wait on the
public." This is one of the new stores
here, but has built up a fine business.
Reduced prices on Refrigerators,
Ice-boxes, and Ice Cream freezers. See
Fisk & Tharp.
Deputy Sheriff and Jailor C. T.I
HOW SHALL MEDFORD BE REBUILT—WITH ROCK, BRICK
AND CEMENT, OR WITH SHACKS OF FRAME
HIDDEN BY TIN7
The future of Medford hangs in a pinnacle at this time. To-
day is the most Important date affecting the future of Medford
she ever passed through. In the roriuing and starting of the
town, people were excusable to build out of whatever there was
to secure. Today, when Cement, Brick, Rock, and permanent
materials are at your door, there is no excuse for using an in-
flammable material of wood and pine, and attempt to cover it
with steel or tin. It availeth nothing In times of the most quiet
time. Now the future of Medford in buildings are in the hands
of our city administration. It Is largely up to them whether Med-
ford shall be built of sand and mortar, or brick, rock and cement.
Wo don't want to dominate or be too much gifted In giving ail
vice, but while our fire loss will cost us $4,600 in cold cash, we
do want to see Medford go ahead and with good respectable
buildings. If the lot owners can't build, sell, and let us establish
a town and go ahead. No town can boast of being anything
extra unless she has some good buildings, and did you know the
better the town, the better every building that is erected therein?
We are lined up first, last, and all the time for a better Med-
ford, and when we say that, we are for better buildings and only
those which are substantially built. If I had to borrow every
dollar to build, I would do so if building near others, rather than
sacrifice my property and theirs with inflammable structures.
If you are not for Medford, and a Medford booster, vou don't
belong to the Patriot class from now on.
Frack did the right thing Sunday night
when lire threatened the jail at one
time, and help was so badly needed.
"He opened the doors and told his pris-
oners to get busy and help save the
town and property. They did so and
did able work. They all returned Mon-
day morning in time for the breakfast.
J. W. Chism, insurance and real es-
tate broker, met with heavy loss with
the Companies, he represents. Mr.
Chism had several thousand, but as
all is well distributed and in reliable
companies, he thinks settlements will
come promptly.
The Medford Mill & Elevator Co.,
who suffered the largest loss of any
one man or Arm,—upwards of $65,000,
has opened up temporarily in the
Kearse building. He represents insur-
ance companies that have an aggre-
gate loss of about $25,000 in the fire.
His adjusters are on the ground, or
some of them, and we predict early
and satisfactory settlements, as he
represents first-class companies.
The Medford Mercantile Co. E. E.
Hostetter, general manager, had a
heavy loss, estimated at over $20,000,
with $11,500 insurance. The smoke
had not ceased its upward flight till
this business firm had rented the
Opera House, the largest building in
Medford, and are stocking up anew.
While the large force of men are put-
ting in the shelving and making things
ready for the new stock the new stock
is arriving every day, and they will
hardly miss a half week on account of
the entire loss. They are doing one
of the big businesses in Medford. Mr.
Hostetter says he hopes to have the
store in order by Saturday.
Fisk & Tharp turned loose their
team of horses the night of the fire,
who respond to the names of Brick
and Nell. They have not heard from
them since. They started west from
town, as Frank says they are natives
of the Pan-handle country, and he
thinks if they are not molested they
will continue their course and per-
haps again take up the plains life.
Anyone taking them up will be re
warded by notifying this hardware
firm. The finder must remember
that Nell can be ridden, but Brick
will object. J
GRANT COUNTY BANK VAULT
OPENED.
At Ten O'Clock Wednesday Morning
All Valuable Papers and Currency
In Good Condition.
It was sixty-one hours after the first
alarm of fire was given, that the of-
ficials of the Grant County Bank, were
able to open the vault of that bank.
All that was left standing of the
bank building after the flames had
died down was the four walls of the
vault, heaped on all sides of this
were smouldering fires, thus it was
necessary to work slowly and let the
fires burn out, before entrance to the
vault could be effected, which was
at ten o'clock Wednesday morring
The many valuable papers and
large amount of currency deposit*! in
the vault were not damaged in the
least—not even scorched. Tin- cit-
izens of Medford and Grant county
rejoice with the officials of hank,
that the papers and books of the bark
were saved and that they will prob-
ably be doing business ere this paper
reaches the readers. The officials
informs us that they will soon have
a new building, where they will be
pleased to greet their old c-istoiners,
but in the mean time they will have
temporary quarters. Just where we are
unable to say at this time, but you
can find them, go in and show your
good fellowship.
E. L. Estes of Estes Furniture and
Undertaking Co., was in Wichita Wed-
nesday buying new goods to replenish
the fire.
New lumber and building material
on the road. .1. F. Thompson Lbr. Co.
Don't forget, we are still in the
lumber business J. F, Thompson Lbr.,
Co.
Nothing but new goods in our
stock J. F. Thompson Lbr., Co.
Dr. Martin, the popular young man
that has an exclusive deal on the
ownership of the only horse hospital
in Medford, missed the fire by the
scratch of a match. He is one of the
happiest men in town as a result. The
doctor was located just across the
street in the other block.
• -' If ^
South Side of Cherokee Avenue Looking East After the Fire.
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Becker, J. P. The Medford Patriot. (Medford, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 29, 1911, newspaper, June 29, 1911; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc186020/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.