Oruon Historical SsoUty
VOLUME 28.
INDEPENDENCE, OREGON, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1812.
NUMBER 41.
FIVE BUSINESS HOUSES ARE
EARLY MORNING BLAZE CAUSES
TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR LOSS
Fire Spreads Rapidly Over the
Frame Structures on C
Street and Wipes Out
Five Buildings.
Flra ordinal In la the rear of A
Nelson's moat mm ket, which 8
located In the J. 8. Coom building
on the north Bide or C si rout, be
tween Main and First streets, con
sumed t'io building and Cttiiuots and
spread to the adjoining buildings on
either side with like results. Tho
orlg n of the fire Is uukiiow.i, but t
1h s p.:o 1 to hw e started from the
furnace used in the bik room, for
rendering liird etc. Mr. Nelon had
a fine In the fur'we) during the enr
ly part of the evening, and when h
went liouie tho fire Is said to hc.'e
be-n still binning. The furnace had
been us d for a number of years, end
It w supposed to bo perfectly safe,
hut by Home d-ft in the flue or tho
brick wai'g ofhte fiiniH the fire,
evidently broke out. Before the sflar
w.is timed In tha building was entire
ly uuveloped In flames rid it looked
as if bo h sides of the street would
bo destroyed, but by diligent efforts
on tho part of tho fire department a
serious coii'lasriV.!o:i ws averted.
Thi total Iohh 1h uikiiown, but It
is eg'mited that It will exceed
$10,000.
It required but Utile time for the
wind to Ivii'l th migry flames into
o'her bul billing wh'ch were quickly
eonHiimed.
Accurdlng to i. stuteiiuriit made by
the. m'ght wntch he discovered the
fire at roo't 1:30 when It was no
liirg r than n wit er pail. A. Ander
son, who owned tha building Just
east of the meat market, md occu
pied a room close to wjere the flra
originated, wns awin'cesied by an un
usual noise and made the dis
covery this', the entire back nud of
the building wns enveloped in flames.
Before himself Biid wife could
dress, the fire rent 'tied the building ,
they occupied. When Mr. Anderson
went out on the street ho saw no one
but tin niuht wntch. The alarm wc
immediately turned in and people, liv
ing In that immediate, vicinity hur
ried to tti scone, but the f Irenes,
h d reached beyo.id human control
and were fimt sweeping over the
ro:;f of oth?r buildings, supported by
a strong wind from the northeast,
which made the situation look sen
ds Indeed.
Mr. A'ldereon lost nearly every
thing, lie conducted a bicycle shop
In the front part of the bundling and
r s'ded in tha rt'ur, and nearly every
piece of property he owned was de
s'royed. No insurance was cn-rled
on the. stock or building nmd his Kss
Is total.
Working its way rapidly through
ie little vct;ant building west .v of
where it originated, the fire Pe"
trated the walls of the second-hand
store owned by A. M. Brown, and
(the building and contents, except a
few articles carried out by willing
hands, were soon consumed. Another
(store was considerably damaged, but
the fire department prevented the
flames from proceeding farther in
this direction' and the bakery suffered ;
only slight damage by reauon of wa
iter and the sudden removal of goods
Jrom the building.
On the east side of the meart mar
ket the two story building owned by
Bem Wh'teaker and occupied by J.
M. McCaleb as a photograph gallery,
was entirely consumed. Mr, McCaleb's
loss is estimated mL. 1500 and was
covered by $500 insurance. A. M.
Brown's loss was tota"., as he carried
no insurance whatever, and it is
understood that Mr. Nelson, proprie
tor of the meat market, also was
without insurance. The Odd Fellows
building caught fire several times, as
did buildings on the opposite . side
of the Btreet, but the firemen were
on the alert and prevented losses ,
other than what has been mentioned,
except that windows were broken
out of buildings on the south and east
sides of the fire caused by the
tense heat '
in-
To Al Whitney Is due the credit of
saivuig the building's on the south
side of C street. At a period of the
exciting hour when the flames had
reached the roof-tops of Fluke &
Johnson's store wid J. R. Cooper's
sulooii, and the Independence Hotel
Wiis In danger, the water pressure
seemed to give out and there was not
sufficient force to get a stream upon
tho buildings. Mr. Wbibuey Jumped
Into his w tomoblle and rushed to the
power house with great speed to
f nd that the pumps were being oper
rated, but no wu.er was coming forth.
He, having hw considerable experi
ence In that department, immediately
st ir ed a striwn of water with con
siderable force, and It came Just in
time to prevent further lot-seg.
One discounting feature of the
oo .fin rstlc. t was seen In the number
of able men who stood around on the
str.'et without offering the least as
sistance in removing goods from the
burning buildings, while frail women
and children seemed to overexert
themselves in efforts to suve property
for tie it ifortiinate. The fire com
piny, however, did excellent work
from the moment they arrived until
the fire had been subdued.
Tli3 buildings consumed were at'l
fr.me structures and had stood for
uinny yiws. When the fire spread
over the top of the buildings t
tojk but a short time, for the flames
to work through the walla and in a
little more tluiin an" hour from the
time the fir was S' cried, only a huge
pile of HS'ies and debris marked the
plu-e where the old land marks
stood, i
Mrs. Uascue, who occupies a room
In the Odd Fallows building with her
mil inery store, suffered slight loss
by water.
,f. s! Cooper, after he went home
otn the fire, went to sleep afld
drsanied t'e property owners com
menced clewing away the debris
uofor-j.tho f r'a had hardly become
xtlnct, preparat ocy to the erection
of fire; proof buildings. He said
th-? next mornii g, that he intended
to d,o his part to make thrV. dream
real. He Intends to erect a concrete
building on the lot made vacwit by
tie fire, and it Is probable that oth
e' s will mini a move in that direct
Ion in the near future. This is a
good business section of the city
md the lots ere more valuable! than
the buildings were. With tt new fire
, proof block on the north side of C
streoV Independence will be a much
' ter city than before.
! A. M. Brown moved what furniture
b saved from the fire Into H. Hir-
schberg'g building a'id will probably
continue business there until he can
make arrangements for another loca
:io or rebuild.
A. Anderson is as yet undecided
as to what he will pursue in the fu
ture. His capital is limited, haiing
lost everything foe owned and it is
difficult at present for him to form
much of an idea how to proceed in
his business. Mr. McCat'eb will prob
ably become established in'- the photo
graph business in some other loca
tion in the near futurq. He has con
ducted a photograph gallery1 In Inde
pendence for a great many years
and will undoubtedly continue. It is
rumored aflso that a meat market wll
be started in some other part of the
city, but whether Mr. Nelson will be
identified in the enterprise or not
is undecided. '
,' The. fire ended without! a single ac
cident of any importance. One or
two persons were slightly- brulsed by
tailing timbers, and others were
slightly burned, but nothing of a ser
ious nature occurred.
The Home Telephone was also
quite a heptvy loser on account of
the fire, and for a couple of days the,
city was without the service given by
that company.
While our fire chief was sleeping,
flames o'er our beautiful town were
leaping. As the buildings were going
down to flry graves; no one thought
of poor "Mark Grav3S." The flamee
sfwept ove a half a block, but our
fire chief never awoke 'til one o'clock
Contributed. . , ' ' 1 '
SALEM BANQUETS
THE RESIDENT
Business Men from Independ
ence and Dallas Join Mr.
Hirschberg at Lunch.
To show their appreciation of the
improved train service between Inde
pendence fciid Salem and Dallas and
SiH m, provided by H. Hirschberg,
pregiden- of the Independence & Mon
mouth Railway (Co., the Salem Busi
ness Men's Leryue Bind Board of
Trcle arranged to banquet a delega
tion from Independence and Di'las
at the Hotel Marlon in thu. city upo.n
the arrival of the first train Moadu
nior.jing. The coach 1 "ft Independence
at 8:25 with a pariy of invited guests
of the president of the rol and
at the S. P. cross! ng a delegw ion
from D;Mws were waiting to Join the
Independence party. Upon rer.nhing
the st'it'on at West Salm the Polk
county delegation was met by repre
sen'atlves of the Eo.-d of Trade who
had provided automobiles for their
conveyttice to the Marlon Hotel.
At the noon hour a banquet wu
given by the Sai-m people who did
everything possible to make It pleas
wit for their guests during the day.
WordB can scarcely express the ap
preciation of Independence people on
account of the reception tendered
them upon this occasion. It is unfor
tuniCe that a larger representation
from this city did not attend. Those
who represented Independence were
H. Hirsrhberg, J. S. Cooper, presi
dent of fie Independence Commercial
Club, J. G. Mcintosh, secretary of the
club, II. E. Browne and Verd Hill.
At the banquet Kolm K. Page, an
attorney of Salem, aTd formerly sup
erintendent of the Oregon Electric Ry
Co., tilted as toast master and for
mora t'im an hour during the lunch,
toasts were given bringing out new
thoughts along the line df railroad
development aid the development of
this Valley in general. More
than 100 people a tended the business
men's lunch, and nearly so many re
sponses were made to the invitav
tion of the toastmaster.
Before the lunch was served three
cheers were given for H. Hirschberg,
president of the Independence &
Monmouth roal, who had been the
means of making Independence a
great railroad center aid who install
ed the new service between this
city, Alrlle, Dai:a43 and Monmouth and
the Capital of Or?gon.
Mr. Hlnshaw, manager of the Salem
Falls City & Western Ry., responded
for his company a id stated that they .
would do their best to make a first,
cli.os service and that a bridge would
be built across the river for their
traVns during the coming summer.
This will land west side passengers
In the shopping district of the Clie'ry
City instead of West Salem, the pres
ent destination of that road.
Other railroad offlctatls, represent
ing different companies, were present
and responded at the toast, among
whom were John M. Scott, General
Passenger agent of the S. P. Road,
S. T. Jones, of the Safiem, Falls City
& Western line, Mr. 'Field,, superin
tendent of the Southern' Pacific Ry.,
and Mr. Jlnklns, traveling paosenger
agent of the last named company.
All responded to the invitation of
the toasmaser, and every suggestion
indicated that the development of
railroads in the valley has by no
means reched a climax.
P. H. D'Arcy's wag the last respon
se made, and it was by no means the
least in importance. Mr. D'Arcy was
right to the point on the necessities
of further development and his speech
was exceedingly interesting.
Church of Christ New.
Everyone in Independence is Invited
to attend our services next Lordsday.
The morning subject will be "The
Dost of Our Redemption," and the
evening subject is "Caa we Believe
the Words of the Apostle Paul?'
We stamd on the. word of God and
nothing else. We accept only the
doctrine of Christ and place no re
liance Tin man traditions. Come and
hear the gospel H. Campbell Clark,
Minister.. , J
CONSUMED
DALLAS FARMER
MEETS DEATH
Team Runs Away and Causes
Almost Instant Death.--
Another Injured. J
Frightened Horsei Bolt When They
Are Hitched With New Harness.
Kill One Man.
P. A. Odom, for many years Chief
of Police of Dallas, was v most Inst
antly killed and Joe Trent, a pros
perous farmer living neco Dallas, was
perhM s fatally injured as the result
of a runaway Monday.
Odom, who resigned as Chief of Po
lice; about two months ago to take
up fninlng, had Just bought a new
wagon, horses and ha-ness. He hitch
ed the horses, using the new harness
and buggy for the first time in Col
lin's f ed shed in Dallas. The horges
immdia ely upon leaving the feed sta
ble broke into a run. Half u block
from the stable t'ley tried thecorner
and, the tugs being too long, the wa- i
g-fi tongue dropped to the ground
and wan driven into the cement curb.
. The horses were going at a great
speed and when the wejon tongue
came in contact with the curb, Odom
'and Trent who wera sitting on the wa
i gon sect, were hurled with great
i force forward. Odom struck the
ground upon his head 40 feet from
the wagon, and Trent struck upn his
shoulders 20 feet from the wagon,
wh'ch wos practically demolished. The
hors's were uninjured.
Odom's skull was crushed id he
was carried practically lifeless to the
hospital where he died in 15 min
utes later. Trent a"so was taken to
the hospital. It was found that ' his
collar bone and severet' ribs had been
broken p,nd that he had received in
ternet injuries. He has a chance of
recovery, though the surgeons in at
tendance do not hold out much hope.
REPELS ATTACK OF DEATH
"Five years ago two doctors told m
I had only twoyears to live." This
stirtling statement wan made by Still
mnn Green, Malachite, Col. "They
told me I would die with consumption
It was up to me to try the' beet lung
medicine and I began to use Dr. Ki-
ng's New Discovery. It was well I did
for today I am working and believe I
owe my life to this great throat
and lung cure that has cheated the j
prixig'time is
To show you the latest in Spring Goods. . Our line of
Ladies' Wool Suiting are up to the moment in the color,
style and quality, and in ginghams, percales, galatias and
wasn goods, say: we have one of the largest and best as
sorted patterns to be found anywhere arid at prices that
everyone can afford a hew Spring Wash Dress.
Drop in and see our new line of men's Dress Shoes, Hats,
and shirts: the late things for Spring Wear. When you
want anything in the latest come to us.
Conkey, Walker & Lehman
The Two Leading Stores of Independence.
WOMEN ATTEND
COUNCIL MEETING
CitJFathersJ Tlx,.on
Pop-corn Veneers.
Oregon Power Co. Contemplates Im
mediate Improvements In its
Water Plant.
,An uiiubui.: feature of the council
me. ting Wednesday evening was the
apearu Ce of a half dozen women who
came to enter a protest against a
proposed ordinance dAling with the
sidewalk question on G. street, but
the matter wem not introduced and no
protests were filed.
Moor Eldridge called the meeting
to order in the usual manner and
Messrs, Mix, Bohannon, Sperling and
D'xon were in their proper Places.
Under reports of committees coun-
cilman Mix made a brief report rela
tlve to the work of improving
Btreet, and councilman Dixon,
G
of
the fire and water committee made
a rsport on the result of the con
flagration TuesdEt- morning in which
he confessed negligence.
An ordinance known as the "dog
ordinance," intended to regulate tid
tax members of the canine family
was ralroaded through on the em
ergency clause, a d en ordinance in
tended to regulate and license pop-
cora venders on the streets went t
far as second reading. Bills and clt
ims aggregating $279-55 were pre
sented and ordered paid. A cUa'm of
A. M. Brown, J. M. McCaleb and A
Anderson, for damages on account of
fire. wa rejected. . Their claim
is
based on the alleged neglect of the
city to provide adequate fire protec
tion. '''" . ' '' '
The recorder was instructed to
draw warrants on the treasury in
payment of bonds, thus saving in
terest. "
Mayor Eldridge appointed a board
of control for the public library as
follows: Mrs. S. B. Wo'ker,' Mrs. G.
:onkey, Mrs. L.L. Hewitt, Mrs. P.
i: Kirkland, A. C. Moore and J. S
Bohannon. Ooiwincilman Mix .volun
teered the information that he is
opposed to the city ha 'ing anything
to do with the library, bellevinng that
u was Sing to terminate in
an
exorbitant expense.
the grave of another victim." Its
folly to suffer with coughs, colds or
other throat and lung troubles now.
Take the. cure that's safest, price
50cents and $1.00. Trial bottle free
at afil druggists.
When councilman Bohannon said
it was time for the city to demand
u more adequate fire protection, he
evidently started something, and his
remarks were followed by heated
discussions on the part of the coun
cil tt.id members of the' company.
Mr. White, local superintendent of
the Oregon Power compu y, stated
that tie company intended to meite
improvements in the pUnt and he
manifested a disposition to do the
r.ghfc thing by his patrons.
OUT FOR SHERIFF
J. W. Orr of Rickreall, Atks for the
Support of Republican Voters in
the Present Campaign.
1 John W. Orr of Rickreall, was in
the city Friday and made this office a
pleasant ca;l. Mr. Orr hag lived in
Polk county all his life and fought
the ttctles of his republican friends
in every campaign since he; reached
maturity, without even intimating
that he would some time like to be
recognized in a political way. This
year, however, he hf decided, after
considerable persuasion on the part
of his many friends ia the count;, u
become candidate before the re-
publican primary next month for the
office of county sheriff. Mr. Orr is
deserving of the hearty support of
Polk county people both '. the pri
mary and state elections. He is a menu
who will conduct the rVfairs of that
office on business principles, if he is
successful in the campaign, and there
is every netcoa to believe that he
will be.
Born a little way from Independen
ce, he is known by nearly everyone
in the county, and almired by as
many.
To
The Republican Voters,
Polk
County, Oregon. . . '
i .. ' "
I hereby announce my candidacy for
the nomination for the office of
School Superintendent of Polk County
Orfgon, for & second term, subject
to the will of the Republican voWs
at the nominating primary, April 19,
, 1912.
' I w'sh to fe7 that when a candi
date for my first term as. School Sup
erintendent, I promised that I would
! give my best work for the schools of
the county, I have spent my wHole
jt'me.in working for he betterment
of the schools and ask nomination
'dm the record I have made. If I am
nominated and ejected for the sec
ond term, I will follow the same poli
cy as In the past and will give my
best work for the schools of the
county.
Respectfully,
Paid ad H. C. Seymour
Before going to bed take a Dr. Miles
Laxative Tablet. ,
4