Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 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 Hesperia Union January 31, 1907 FIRE DESTROYS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Our community has been shocked by the loss of the Presbyterian Church edifice, a beautiful building which has been the pride of the com- munity for many years. At about six o'clock Monday night, January 1907, smoke was seen emerging from the north- east corner of the building, and although the fire department was promptly on had to give earnest attention to the work of trying to save the building, the ravages of the destructive element could not be checked. The origin of the fire was unfortunate. The Presbyterian Society had installed a gasoline lighting plant which was to have been used the first time at the revival meetings in progress. The janitor, Israel Clark, was manipulating the apparatus preparatory to lighting up, when in some unexplained manner the gasoline escaped and set fire to the woodwork in the closet in which the generator was installed. He succeeded in putting out that portion of the resulting fire in the closet, but the gasoline ran down the cold air pipe below and set the building afire under the floor. Perceiving the futility of his efforts, he abandoned them and ran to give the alarm. Before the fire department succeeded in getting a stream playing, the flames had reached the clerestory and the roof where it was difficult to get at. Willing workers entered the building and res- cued the furniture and carpet in a somewhat dam- aged condition. At seven-thirty the roof fell in and the fire- men turned their attention to the work of saving the sidewalls and the windows. They remained at their posts faithfully until about ten o'clock when the last embers were drowned out. As will be sen from the picture, the sidewalls and ends as well as the hall towers remain, though in practically useless condition. The floor and foundation are uninjured. Strange to say, the in- direct cause of the fire, the gasoline lighting machine was rescued intact, all except the con- ductor pipes and lamps. Early the next morning Bush & Sons made a care- ful test of the apparatus and demonstrated that it was in perfect order and inasmuch as it had been successfully tested and working during the after- noon before the fire, they showed that the machine was in no way directly responsible for the fire. Persons on the ground who watched, could see the commendalbe efforts of the pastor of the church, the Reverend Young, to save such of the effects of the church as could be reached. With clerical garb dripping with water, spectacles blurred with ice, he passed repeatedly in and out the burning building, everywhere earnest, untiring bent on one thing - - service. The members of the First Baptist Church, early the next morning, placed their unused building at the service of the unfortunate Presbyterians. The offer has been accepted, and, barring accidents, will hold their services in the Baptist Church here- after. The building was insured for $1,150. It is too early to determine if the insurance can be collected, as no inspection of the situation has been made by the insurance company. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================