The particulars of this great conflagration are here given as published by the ADAGE the next issue after the fire took place:

“On Friday morning last, March 30, Barry was visited by a most disastrous fire. It was discovered by Dr. Varney, whose dental office and home were over his store opposite the Hollembeak Opera House. The doctor was watching with a sick child, when about 4:20 o’clock he discovered flames bursting from the windows of the opera house. The alarm was quickly given, but the wind blowing strong soon spread the fire to the adjoining buildings of Mayes & Son’s grocery store on the west, over which were the dressmaking rooms of Mrs. Lounsbury and the home of Mr. E. Spann, and J. B. Watson’s hardware store on the east. From Mays & Son’s the flames eat their way through the residence and offices of the Dr. G. W. Doyle to the ADAGE office and residence of W. W. Watson. From J. B. Watson the conflagration extended south to Chauncy Goodale’s gent’s clothing store, M. Robb’s bakery, Stearns & Bower’s meat market, A. Wendorff’s shoemaker ship, Jas. Hudson’s harness shop, S. Finders saloon, to the Hotel Blair, where the flames were checked.

The intense heat soon ignited the frame building of Wm. Powell’s tobacco manufactory and barber shop of Chas. Brown just opposite.

The fireman now having exhausted the supply of water the fiery fiend had its own way, and soon the millinery store of Mrs. E. Blades, jeweler shop of J. J. Gray and dry goods store of John H. Mallery were laid in ashes.

From Mallery’s the unquenchable flames leaped across the street to the handsome brick block of J. B. Chamberlin, spreading over J. J. Robb’s billiard hall, consuming the millinery store and residence of Mrs. Ray Lewis, bakery, residence and barn of Wm. Bright, where the fire was again checked.

During this devastation the intensity of the original blaze from the Opera House had proven sufficient to extend to the buildings on the opposite side, beginning at the residence of Dr. Varney and so spreading ruin in the following buildings on the west: Barber shop of Grimp Hill, McNeal’s grocery store, J. J. Hughes furniture store and broom factory, Barney Weisenburger’s shoemaker shop and Mrs. Chas. Churchill’s residence; east from this point embracing Thornton & Pitts harness shop, Sil Kirtright’s meat shop, Siegle’s saloon and the Masonic building, including d. K. Weiss’ drug store on the ground floor, and banquet hall and lodge room on second and third floors.

This building being of brick and metal roof, hopes were entertained that the fire element might be stayed; but alas! The wind again carried the flames on over to reach the buildings of John Siegle, occupied by Herl & Rendlen, Dudley building, Fuller & Cleveland’s meat market, Kriegbaum’s brick building occupied by Herl & Rendlen’s saloon No. 2, and on across to the city hall, fire department, calaboose and residence of Nate Urton, where the fiery force was finally expended.

Several residences and barns in the north part of town were set on fire by flying embers, but were extinguished by the constant vigilance of the owner.

The origin of the fire was in one of our latest and most modern buildings, modern in its architecture and appointments, being finished in oiled Carolina pine and natural wood, it burned rapidly. The roof and sides were covered with corrugated iron and lined with brick, consequently it was a veritable furnace before the flames escaped from the buildings.

Barry with her fire apparatus, two hose reels, hook and ladder truck, hand engines and water works, was powerless to cope with a fire of such magnitude, nevertheless we are proud of the heroic efforts of her gallant firemen and brave citizens. Chief McConnell with his usual self-possession was everywhere directing and encouraging, and regardless of all personal danger discharged his duty, though at time his clothes were on fire.

The women on this occasion forgot the traditional “scream” and worked with the greatest fortitude and heroism; they neglected no opportunity in which they could render assistance, and did so in a most timely and effective manner. To their untiring efforts and wise judgment many of us are indebted for what was rescued from the flames. We are proud of our noble women.

During the panic Mayor Furniss telegraphed to mayor Chamberlin of Hannibal for help, who promptly responded by sending two companies with steamer and hose reel, the special train covering the distance in twenty-seven minutes. Ere they could reach us the destruction was complete. The company “decided that in proportion to the size of the town and time in which toe work was done, Barry’s fire was one of the most extensive and destructive on record.”

The mystery that surrounded the fire that March morning has never been cleared away. It is as deep to-day as it was then. How it originated will probably never be known. There were many conjectures about it, but they were only conjectures. All that is known is that a dance was given at the opera house the night of the fire, and at 4:30 the following morning the flames broke forth with such fearful destruction, consuming part of four blocks. In all about thirty-five buildings, some of them the best in the city, went down. The total loss was estimated at from $130,000 to $150,000.

Ruins of the Great Fire of March 30, 1894. (Showing the south half of
Block 20 and the North half of Block 23. The walls standing are those of Dr. Doyle’s
residence and the ADAGE office. The chimney of W. W. Watson’s residence is also standing.
The buildings destroyed in the territory covered by the picture were:
Hollembeak opera house, Mayes & Son’s, Dr. Doyle’s residence, ADAGE office, W. W.
Watson residence, Cy Johnson’s dwelling, J. Weber’s building, F. M. McNeal’s Dr.
Varney’s O. H. Perry estate’s, and the old White store, Wike Bros. ware house and several barns.

Rebuilt residence of Mrs. G. W. Doyle

THE LOSSES

J. B. Chamberlin lost his fine brick store building, his frame building and the north brick building and a lot of wheat. Loss about $10,000; insurance $7,800. J. B. & A. J. Chamberlin, clothing, etc., $20,000; insurance $15,000. J. J. Robb, billiard tables, $600; insurance $300.

Ray Lewis, millinery, $300, no insurance, and Katie Carswell, dress making, no insurance. They owned the two buildings occupied, valued at $1,500; insurance $1,100.

A refrigerator owned by Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co., $300; fully insured.

Wm. Bright, dwelling, contents and barn, $1,600;; insurance $1,100.

Louis Wendorff, barn and damage to residence, $135; fully insured.

E. F. Churchill, dwelling and store building, $1,600; insurance $500.

City building, calaboose and implement house, $750; insurance $400.

C. C. Kreigbaum, saloon, $1,400; insurance $1,200.

Herl & Rendlen, contents two saloons, $1,800; insurance $1,000.

Maggie H. Dudley, building, $400; insurance $300.

G. J. Cleveland, billiard outfit, $300; no insurance.

M. H. Fuller, meat market, no insurance.

John Siegle, two business buildings and billiard outfit, $4,500; insurance $3,500.

Masonic lodge, 3-story brick building $7,000, insurance $4,000; furniture and regalia $400, insurance $200; banquet room fixtures $400, insurance $250.

Royal Arch Chapter, robes, etc., $400; insurance $250, Star Chapter $100; no insurance.

Gus Siegle, saloon, $1,000; insurance $600.

Perry estate, two frame buildings, $800; insurance $600.

S. Kirkright, meat market, $350; insurance $300.

Thornton & Pitts, harness, $1,600; insurance $1,000.

Mary A. Johnson, building, $500; insurance $400.

W. W. Watson, ADAGE printing office, $2,800, insurance $2000; residence $1,300, insurance $900; furniture, small loss covered by insurance.

Agnes Watson, brick building and barn, $1,200; insurance $900.

Dr. Doyle, residence and barn, $1,400; insurance $1,000.

G. D. Mayes & Son. Building $1,800, insurance $1,100; groceries $1,500, insurance $900.

Ed Spann, furniture, $50; no insurance.

Mrs. Lounsbury, small loss on dress making business.

D. K. Weiss, drugs, etc., $3,500; insurance $3,000.

Dr. Varney, store building and residence, $2,000; insurance $1,200.

F. M. McNeal, building, $1,000; insurance $900; grocery stock $2,000, insurance $1,000.

J. Weber, building, $600; insurance $400.

J. J. Hughes, furniture, $800; fully insured.

C. H. Ware, stationery and express office, $2, 000; insurance $1, 200.

Hurt & Ware, opera house piano, $150; no insurance.

Hollembeak & Son, opera house building and contents, $3,500, insurance $2,300; store building $3,000, insurance $2,000.

Mrs. Isri Smith, building, $3,000; insurance $2,500.

Clara Carter estate, building $200; no insurance.

Simon Finder, saloon, insurance $1,500.

J. J. Gray, jewelry, $800; insurance $500.

E. L. Penner, jewelry, $1,500; no insurance.

J. B. Watson, hardware, $5,000; insurance $4,000.

C. W. Goodale, furnishing goods, $3,500; insurance $3,000.

F. Finchum, small loss on personal effects.

Mort Robb, bakery.

Wike Bros.’ wareroom and contents, $1,600; no insurance.

G. M. Blair hotel building, $150; covered by insurance.

Mrs. S. B. Gaines, damage on hotel furniture; no insurance.

J. H. Mallery, three store building, $4000, insurance $3000; dry goods, $14,000; insurance $6,000.

W. B. Powell, cigar factory, $1,000; insurance $700.

Mrs. S. Davis, building, $1,000; insurance $500.

G. H. Long, building, $150, covered by insurance.

C. B. Brown, barber, small loss on furniture.

Wm. St. John, peanut stand, $200; no insurance.

Grimp Hill, barber, small loss.

RUINS OF THE GREAT FIRE OF MARCH 30, 1894. The territory
covered by the picture is the northeast part of Block 22, the southwest of
Block 21, northeast Block 23 and southwest Block 20. Buildings destroyed
were Mrs. S. Davis’ Mallery row, J. B. Chamberlin’s row, Carswell, Bright
and Churchill dwellings, city building, Herl Rendlen’s, S. Dudley’s, John siegle’s,
Masonic, Hollembeak’s E. F. Churchill’s, Mrs. S. Smith Leach’s and the C. R. Churchill buildings.

A picture of the scenes presented when the streets were filled with homeless families and what household effects were saved from destruction would be invaluable for this paper, but as there were none to be had, that part of it is left to the reader’s imagination.

No sooner had the flames died away, than our citizens began to prepare to rebuild the devastated district. The building boom was soon on. Those who did not desire to rebuild sold their lots to others, who did so desire. The next week after the fire the insurance adjusters arrive. They put in a full week and had hard work to get through in that time. Their adjustments were fair and speedy. Most of the losses fell to companies represented by W. W. Watson, and the paid out $78,000 through him. About $8,000 loses fell to other agencies.

As soon as the adjustments were completed the work of rebuilding began in earnest. Mayes & Son were the first to erect a new building, then followed in rapid succession the ADAGE office, the opera house, Varney’s, Hollembeak’s, Goodale’s, Masonic, Siegle’s, Dudley’s, Herl & Rendlen’s, Mallery’s, Churchill’s, Chamberlin’s and others. It was the busiest summer ever seen in Barry. In less than a year the town was rebuilt with brick buildings of a good class and a neat appearance, until to-day there are but three or four unoccupied spots in the territory occupied by the old structures. It has been a complete transformation for Barry, and while the loss to the individuals was heavy, to the city it was a benefit.

A singular fact in connection with the fire was that no person was seriously hurt. It is nearly always the case, even in small fires that some one gets burned or hurt in other ways, and such a thing was much more to be expected from a conflagration like that of two years ago. But fortunately it was willed otherwise.

One of the principal lessons learned from the fire was the necessity of a better water supply. To the shortage of water was in a large measure the destruction of such a vast amount of property due. The city water works were in operation, but the reservoir was faulty and contained only a limited amount of water. It was a wooden tank and never was what was needed. The water was pumped from the deep well into this receptacle, to leak out in a small, but steady stream. When the fire came the tank was only partially full. The subject of a new and better water tank was agitated, and the same year a contract was let by the city council for an iron tank of much larger dimensions than the old wooden one. This was placed on the brick tower, which was raised to fifty feet in height, giving a good strong water pressure. The total cost of the improvement was about $3,000, but it was money well invested.

WILFRD KLEIN

Wilfred I. Klein, the present city attorney of Barry, is one of the city’s own sons, who has distinguished himself as a lawyer and a legislator. He began his career with a common school education, such as was afforded in his day, then entered Lombard University, and in 1878 was graduated from the noted university at Ann Arbor, Mich. He returned to his native town and began practicing law with good success. Politics always had a charm for him. In 1879 he was elected city attorney, which office he has held with the exception of a few terms, ever since. In 1892 he was the republican candidate for state’s attorney of Pike county, but with the rest of the ticket that year was defeated. He entered the race for member of the legislature from the 38th district in 1894; received the endorsement of his county, was nominated and elected by a large majority and made a useful and valuable legislator. This year he is a candidate for state senator. Mr. Klein was state-consul to the Modern Woodmen in 1894, and has held various other offices. He was married at Springfield in 1878 to Miss Jennie Klein, and they have one daughter, Madge, an estimable young lady.

WM. BRIGHT

Residence of Wm. Bright
Everybody knows and respects “Uncle Billy” Bright, the veteran supervisor. He is a landmark. Born in Prussia in 1824, he emigrated to America in 1849, landing at Baltimore. His entrance into Pike county was in 1855, when he settled near Barry. His marriage took place in St. Louis in 1853, and the result of the union is a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Mr. Bright has for years been one of the wheel horses of the democratic party in Barry. He has held a numerous offices of public trust. He is a public spirited citizen, and is always interested in his town and its citizens. “May his shadows never grow less.”

RICHARD ST. JOHN

City Marshal St. John is one of the oldest residents of our city. His native state is New York, where in Albany county, he was born December 27, 1822. He came west in 1834, and with his parents settled in this state, coming to Pike county in 1836. He has been quite a traveler in his day, and was one one (sic.) of those who made the trip overland to California during the excitement of 1850. At one time he did a large business in blacksmithing here, but has not for several years worked at that trade. He has held the office of city marshal several terms and is now attending to the duties of street commissioner in addition to those of marshal. He is an efficient officer. Mr. St. John has reared a large family in our midst.

JOHN B. HAZEN

The city clerk of Barry is John B. Hazen, a bright and intelligent young man. He was elected in 1895. Besides his splendid business qualifications, he is an expert base ball player, and as catcher for the Barry club he has made a most favorable record. There is every indication of a bright future before him.

L. F. BRIGHT
For city treasurer Barry has L. F. Bright, a popular business man. He is a jolly bachelor, 35 years of age, prosperous and affable. He would make a good husband for some nice young lady. And this is leap year.

GEO. B. HALL

The faithful night watch, who for nearly sixteen years, as made the rounds of business houses, is Geo. B. Hall. He has also served the city as marshal and deputy marshal; was constable of Barry township four years, and is now a special deputy under Sheriff Knox. In addition to his official duties he raises fine poultry. Mr. Hall was born near Toronto, Canada, in 1851. He was married in 1884 to Sarah A. Knight, and they have a pleasant family of three children.

BARRY’S OLDEST CITIZENS

The oldest person living within corporate limits of Barry is Mrs. Jane Booth. Her maiden name Howard. She was born in Orangeville, Penn., April 27, 1800. In the year 1828 she was married to Andrew Booth. The couple came to Barry in 1845. Of union there were eight children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Booth is also godmother to many who hold her in the highest esteem. She joined the M. E. church when a girl. Up to five years ago, when she had an attack of la grippe, she had enjoyed good health, but has since been feeble. A peculiar characteristic of her life was that for seventy-five years she never drank water. When she was 16 years of age, and while doing washing she became thirsty and went to the spring to get a drink. The draught of water made her very sick, and from that time until her recent sickness she always drank cold tee, coffee or milk to quench her thirst. In all the long years of her life, Mrs. Booth has confined her efforts to her home and family. She has done well her part.