The mammoth dry goods plant of Seeley & Read in Freeport was demolished by the fire fiend last Friday morning. The fire originated in the basement of the Weishar block in which Seeley & Read's store was located. It is supposed that the fire caught from a lighted candle in the hands of an errand boy who had gone to the basement of the store to turn off the water from a bursted pipe. The fire burned nearly six hours and during that time aid was summoned and received from Rockford. Seeley & Read's stock was valued at $70,000 and was insured for $30,000. The stock was nearly all lost. The firm will at once begin to arrange for a building and stock on the old site that will exceed their former emporium in magnificence, having already, with characteristic enterprise, advertised to be in their new quarters inside of ninety days.
Contributed by Karen Fyock - Warren Sentinel clipping January 4, 1893