Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Freeport Daily Bulletin Tuesday, 22 May, 1917 TWO DIE IN BARN FIRE Presumed Men Were Trying to Rescue Stock Belvidere, Ill., May 21 - ERNEST DAVIS, aged 26, and CHARLES NICKELS, aged 41, were burned to death shortly after midnight, in a barn on the DAN BROWN place, at Coral Corners, a small hamlet three miles southeast of Marengo, and south of Union. DAN BROWN was also badly burned in saving a horse from the blazing structure. Two horses and two dogs were burned to death. The origin of the fire is unknown. Neither is it known how the two men lost their lives, though it is presumed that they were attempting to rescue the stock. BROWN says that he was asleep in the house when the fire started, and that on discovering it he spread the alarm about the neighborhood, but too late to accomplish much. BROWN himself saved one horse, and was badly burned in doing so. It was then discovered that two men were dead in the burn- ing barn. DAVIS was a tenant on the CHARLES ACKMAN farm nearby, and leaves a widow and two children. NICKELS was a farm hand employed by R. W. METCALF, who oper- ates a farm not far away. The home of NICKELS has been at Marengo, where he is known as "DAD" NICKELS. DAVIS was the son of IRVING DAVIS of Elgin. ===========================================================================