1930, August 4 – Hotel Destroyed on W. Main St.

Fire, believed to have started from defective wiring, started a blaze in the New European Hotel on W. Main Street Sunday evening which destroyed the hotel, Cole and Sons Garage, threatened to destroy the Hughes building and the K.P.I.O.O.F. buildings and resulted in the death of Lester Madden, 21 of Chicago. Continue reading

1927, April 12 – Christian Church on N. Market Badly Damaged

Fire starting, it is believed in the motor of the pipe organ, left the Christian church a mass of ruins on Monday night. The building estimated at $75,000 is a total loss although the walls are still standing and are believed by contractors to be of sufficient strength to be re-used without danger. Continue reading