Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 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. =========================================================================== The Bessemer Herald March 16, 1901 BIG STORE BURNED FIRE AT WAKEFIELD SUNDAY NIGHT DESTROYED THE LEADING BUSINESS HOUSE. Loss $12,500 Partially Covered by Insurance Origin of the Fire is not Known Loss Adjusted The large general merchandise store of I. M. GOLDBERG & Co. at Wakefield was completely de- stroyed by fire at about 10:30 last Sunday night entailing a loss to the owners of $12,000 on the store building and stock and damage to the other adjoining buildings to the extent of $600. The fire, which originated in the rear end of the building, was discovered by some one on the street at a few minutes after ten o'clock and the alarm was promptly given, but in a very few minutes the flames had gained such headway that they burst out on all sides of the building almost simultaneously and in less than thirty minutes from the time the fire was discovered the building and contents were a heap of smoking ruins. By prompt action on the part of the fire company, assisted by others, the large barn, warehouse and other smaller buildings adjoining were saved from complete destruction, though all were more or less scorched and the contents dam- aged by heat and water. It is not known how the fire started. As the weather was mild Sunday af- ternoon and there was no fire made in the store during the latter part of the day it is not be- lieved that the fire started from this source. MOSE GOLDBERG was in the store about three o'clock in the afternoon and he says there was no fire in the stove at that time and on account of the weather being warm he did not start one. I. M. GOLDBERG was in Chicago buying goods for the spring trade when he received the news of the loss. He returned Tuesday morning and at once began making arrangements to rebuild and continue the business. H. M. WARDLE and B. F. DUFFY, of Detroit, the insurance adjusters, were in Wakefield on Wednes- day and looked over the books and figured up the loss on stock and buildings, and were so well satisfied with the condition of the books and other papers that they recommended an immediate adjustment of the losses. The amount of insur- ance money received by the Company from the several policies will be $8275, which will be paid at once. The total loss on building and contents is $12,600 and allowing $2000 for loss on business during the time it will take to re- build - which is a conservative estimate - would leave the firm loser, over and above all amounts received on insurance, $6000, which would mean a severe loss to any firm doing busi- ness on the range. GOLDBERG Bros. have been at Wakefield since 1885 and during that time have built up a mer- cantile business which is second to none in the range towns. They are also extensive dealers in wood, mining timber and camp supplies, and dur- ing the present winter they have had in several camps of their own and have a large number of men and teams employed in their wood and timber contracts. They will at once set to work to re- build their store and will put a substantial brick structure, 50 foot front by 70 feet deep, in place of the building destroyed and have al- ready begun clearing the ground for the new building which will be rushed with all possible speed. This prompt movement on their part shows that they have confidence in the future of Wake- field and are there to stay. ==========================================================================