The Great Fire

Perry Again at Mercy of the Fiery Demon

Loss About $15,000 — Hard Work to Keep Entire Town from Burning

From the Perry Mirror, July 2, 1903

While the citizens of Perry were peacefully sleeping Monday night, and the wind was blowing lively from the southwest, a fire started in the west end of town, which, for an hour, threatened the town with annihilation. The blaze seems to have originated in the back part of the building owned by Larimer & Bouton.

The first one who noticed the fire was a brakeman on the U.P. railroad. As soon as he saw the smoke he ran and gave the alarm. Several of the citizens awoke and the bells awakened the whole town.

All the buckets available were brought into requisition and soon a small army of workers, both men and women, were diligently at work fighting fire.

The windmill and water trough are thought to be among the earliest
features on the main street of Perry, Kansas

Heroic efforts were made to confine the fire to the place of starting, but it was soon evident that the blacksmith shop was doomed and also the home of Mr. Malone. The elevator became very hot several times during the fire, and the rosin was fried out in spots, but the brigade kept it thoroughly saturated with water and covered with salt.

As the wind was high the sparks and embers fell as far north as the Presbyterian church, but no other fires started.

The Thomas lumber yard was a source of danger, appreciated thoroughly by the thoughtful and strenuous efforts made to keep it free from danger.

The large barn of George Strange was well manned with hose and bucket line and as soon as an ember fell it was promptly extinguished.

The old cigar factory building owned by Mr. Lee was also burned.

Several things might be said which would be of benefit. We all learn by experience, and each fire has its lessons and warnings. The first thing self evident is that our village is entirely unprepared to cope with fire and whatever catches on fire will burn down in spite of all our efforts.

The second thing is that we have in our midst some of the species called “chumps,” able bodied men who will stand around and gape at a fire while women carry water and who haven’t gumption or sense enough to get out of the way of the toiling, water soaked women. Such cattle ought to be at home asleep getting ready to watch their wives work the next day. Shame on such men!

A third thing is that we need more stone and brick buildings scattered over town to at as fire guards.

And a last thing is insure your property! Then you won’t be at home trying to get your own stuff out, but you can join the toilers, trying to check the fire!

Now as to the proper fire fighting apparatus: Perry needs four good cisterns or steel tanks located at the right place, kept filled with water. It needs a gasoline engine of sufficient power to throw a stream of water 40 feet high, set on trucks and placed in a convenient place. Then a fire marshal, appointed by the council, who shall direct the forces at a fire and whose word GOES at such times!

Some “Don’ts” for Fire Workers

• Don’t throw salt on the roofs of buildings and then go to work and wash it off.
• Don’t throw buckets from high places, recklessly: it is hard on collar-bones and buckets.
• Don’t get rattled, keep cool; your coolness is especially needed at such a time.
• Don’t for humanity’s sake, for decency’s sake and for your own sake stand by and let weak women and crippled men work while you stand like a fly trap, rubbering at the fire!

As to Losses

The heaviest losers were Messrs. Larimer & Boulton, who carried a $10,000 stock of hardware and implements, housed in their own building. This stock was insured for $7,000, with a local agent.

The blacksmith shop occupied by Moon & Gilstrap was destroyed with its entire contents. These men had no insurance and suffered quite a loss and great inconvenience, but you can’t keep a good thing down, and the boys have a temporary shop well under way at this writing and will be found at the old stand tacking on shoes that will stay.

Built after the fire of 1903, the railroad water tank
offered some provision for fighting future fires.

The home of Wm. Malone was destroyed also. Most of the household goods were saved, however, and as he owns the lot and has a job he will soon be on his feet again.

Mr. Swan and Mr. Taylor, carpenters, lost their tools in the Larimer & Boulton building and are badly crippled in their work.

It is understood that Mr. Thos. Lee, who owned the blacksmith shop, will soon put up a stone structure on the site of the shop. Also that Larimer & Boulton will rebuild.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1986.