Former Stage Stopover Damaged by Fire, Smoke
814 Franklin Avenue
One of Council Bluffs' pioneer homes, more than a hundred years old, was severely damaged Friday by fire and smoke. The two story brick house, located at 814 Franklin Avenue, near Chanticleer Theater; had served as a stopping point for an early day stage coach line. The fire occurred during absence of its owner and occupant, Mrs. Elfreda Davis, mother of several children. Fire Chief Norman Elgan said the entire interior was involved by the fire and smoke. The fire apparently started in the kitchen, he said.
Firemen rescued a small kitten belonging to the family and kept it in the fire chief's car out of the cold while they fought the blaze. Records indicate that the first deed entry on the property was dated June 4, 1854, by a land patent from the U.S. Government to Washington Hemper. The house was said to have been built by the Mormons as a stopping point for the stage coach line that passed through here.
[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published December 12, 1969—submitted by Ann]
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