Our Past Is Present September 8, 2017

September 8, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. 

            Today’s story is another about an incident involving the Junction City Fire Department in 1897.  At about 4:00 AM on Sunday, September 15, 1897, a fire alarm rang.  The gasoline stove in Shreve’s Restaurant, which was located at the rear of the Hauserman Barber Shop, was said to have been the cause of the fire.  The old building was made of wood and the entire rear of two other businesses were also quickly engulfed in flames.  However, the fire department DID quickly respond.  They spread four streams of water at the blaze and soon had it under control.  They did this so quickly that the big plate glass window in the Davidson Hardware near- by was untouched by the heat.  Most of Mr. Hauserman’s barbering fixtures were removed, but the Thiele and Guthrie store, which was also near, suffered a $500.00 loss.  The Shreve Restaurant was completely wiped out, including clothing and personal family keepsakes.  None of the shop owners carried insurance, although the building itself was insured for $1,000.  It was not known if Captain Knox of Fort Riley, who owned the building, was prepared to rebuild.  In the meantime, Hauserman relocated his Barber Shop in a vacant room in the Bartell block and Thiele and Gutherie temporarily located their business in the south room of the “Senate” Buildng.  

Well… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.