Commercial Hotel Fire, November 1913

From the Wood County Times Nov. 27, 1913, Page 1




Last Monday night about midnight the barn in the rear of the Commerical Hotel
in the village of Adams, owned by G. W. Henry, was discovered to be on fire.
In the barn at the time were two horses, a quantity of hay and other stuff.

The fire was first discovered by E. J. Gibbons, who gave the alarm, and the 
blowing of the power whistle soon brought a large number to the scene. However, 
the fire had made such headway, that it was impossible to rescue the horses, and 
they perished in the flames.

The barn stood close behind the hotel and it was only by the most heroic efforts 
that the hotel was saved. The building is sided with steel, which was badly warped, 
and the window casings and studding were scorched.

About 10 o'clock the same night, a dry goods box full of rubbish was discovered on 
fire behind John Peterson's saloon, but luckily the discovery was in time so the 
fire was put out before any damage was done.

The people of that place believe that the fires were of incendiary origin and some 
time after the fire one John Hayes, who was found loitering at the depot, and could 
give no satisfactory account of his actions, was arrested by deputy sheriff Atcherson 
on suspicion, and lodged in the village lock-up.

Tuesday morning the State Fire Marshal department was notified, and Wednesday morning 
a deputy from Green Bay arrived to investigate. The facts are being looked into by 
him, assisted by District Attorney Gilman, and as we go to press their investigation 
has not yet been completed. ---Adams County Press 




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