Glenn Zuidema Home
Fire Destroys The Farm

MORRISON AND VICINITY NEWS
Report, Miss Veneta George, 530 East Lincolnway
Phone: Office 28; Residence 3128

FIRE RAZES FARM HOME OF GLENN ZUIDEMA FAMILY, CONTENTS ALSO DESTROYED

Fire destroyed the farm home and contents of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Zuidema and family located three and one-half miles northeast of Morrison on the slab road, Wednesday afternoon. The Morrison fire department responded to the call about 4:45 p.m. with the country pumper but the fire had a head start, apparently beginning at the stove or chimney. There was a very strong west wind but there were no other buildings close enough to catch, except a wood shed to the north. The firemen were handicapped by the lack of water. After the water in the tank was used, some of the local people filled buckets with snow to throw on the flames, but to no avail. Later water was again trained on the fire, but it had no effect.

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Zuidema were in Morrison, en route home from the Claus Norman Home south of Morrison, when they were told that their house was on fire. They had been at her parents for the day and Mr. Zuidema had attended a sale in that community.

The farm on which the fire occurred, was known for many years as the Hiddleson farm and is now known as the West farm, the property of Joshua and Charles West, grandsons of the late Hiddleson owners. The amount of insurance carried on the house is probably insufficient to cover the loss.

The fire was discovered by Dora and David Bush, who live on a neighboring farm. They rushed to the place, got into the house, but the smoke and flames were so dense that they could not remain.

There are two boys, five and six years old, in the family and everything was lost, both clothing and furnishings. The family stayed at the James Manspeaker home in Morrison Wednesday night. Morrison people are cooperating to see that the family is getting wearing apparel to care for the immediate needs of the children and parents.

Contributed by Barbara Nugent - Sterling, Illinois Daily Gazette, Thursday, 9 March 1944, 10;1

Obituary for Grace (Norman) Zuidema

Home