Fire Visited Drayton Plains Saturday

Saturday noon the village of Drayton Plains was aroused by the whistling of a locomotive at the depot, where railroad men had discovered the elevator of Richmond & Seeley on fire. It is supposed that the fire originated from a spark os a passing train. There is no fire protection there, and the building burned to the ground, with all its contents. The fire spread to a little oil house, belonging to the railroad company, and from that to J. R. Welsh's store house, which were soon consumed. Everything burned in these buildings, except about 8,000 pounds of flour, which was carried out. The fire then spread into the lumber yard of Richmond & Seeley, which was entirely consumed, The railroad depot was only saved by the energetic work of the men, as was also the store of Judd & Judd, and the houses of Curtis, McHale and Soper, the latter moving everything out of his house. No lot of men ever worked harder or did better service. Richmond & Seeley's loss is about $3,000, with $700 insurance; Welch, $1,500, with $1,000 insurance; Judd & Judd lose $400, with no insurance. This was on a lot of binder twine tored in Richmond & Seeley's building. Telegraph and telephone poles were burned, thus cutting off communication. The heaviest loss falls upon Richmond & Seeley. The hope is expressed that the people of that community will put their hands into their pockets and help these worthy young men rebuild.