1924: Fire at local train depot does extensive damage

Feb. 21, 1924

HARTINGTON -Teaching school is one of the things that L. C. Morrison, science teacher at the Hartington high school, isn’t worrying about so much since last Sunday.

He has another care now, for a fine daughter was born to him and Mrs. Morrison on Sunday evening, and as she happens, this being their first child, “Red” is occupying enough space for three men these days. Mrs. Morrison and the baby are getting along in fine style.

Feb. 21, 1924

HARTINGTON — Fire discovered shortly after 5 last Friday afternoon practically destroyed the M&O depot at Hartington.

The blaze had much headway before it was discovered that the efforts of the firemen were badly handicapped for some time.

The fire originated in the east end of the freight house. It is believed that spontaneous combustion in a pile of coal started the blaze.

The coal was used in the heating stoves of the depot. The employees state that for some time they had noticed a strange gas smell about the building but were unable to trace it down.

Although several people were in the vicinity of the depot when the fire broke out, it was not noticed for some time, thus giving it a chance to gain headway. When it was discovered, the whole east end of the freight house was in flames, while the fire also had a good start along the whole roof.

Rough streets and long couplings for the hose lines caused some delay in getting water on the fire, but three lines of hose were laid, and steady streams were poured on the blaze from several points.

The alarm quickly brought a large crowd to the scene of the fire, and everyone turned out to help get the fixtures and office supplies out of the building.

Some express and all the office fixtures were saved, but it was impossible to get into the freight house and save any of he goods there, all of which burned.

The building is so much of a wreck that the officials state it will not be rebuilt but that a modern depot will be erected in its place. For the present, Agen Moran and his helpers are housed in a temporary depot which was sent here Saturday, while a box car is being used for a freight house. What was left of the old depot was sold to Charles and Henry Goetz, and it will be moved to the stock yards.