Brown County, Kansas Newspaper Articles

Hiawatha, Kansas, September 3. - The worst fire ever known in this city broke out at 1 o'clock this morning gin William Horne's livery stable, and in less than three hours it had destroyed two and one half blocks in the business center of the city, causing a loss of at least $150,000.

The greatest loss was the First National Bank building, owned by Congressman Morrill. The vault, containing $50,000 in currency and many valuable books and papers, gave way under the intense heat and its contents were entirely destroyed.

For over two hours a furious wind from the north drove the fire southward, but about 3 o'clock the wind died down. There is only one fire engine in the city, and should the wind rise again the whole of the business portion of the city will be wiped out.

At 3 A.M., the fire was still raging. The fire engine has a small stream on the buildings near the Hatch block, but it is doubtful if the buildings can be saved. The destruction at 3 A.M. included the First National Bank Building, the Odd Fellows Building, two of the best livery stables in the city; the grocery Store of J. A. McGuire, loss $6,000; Blue Trout Livery Stables, $8,000. Those are but a few of the losses.

Times Picayune - September 4, 1890
Transcribed and contributed by: Frances Cooley

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