The following news article is from the Elizabethville Echo, April 22, 1926, via Newspapers.com.
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FIRE THREATENED TOWN OF PILLOW
ESTIMATE $10,000 LOSS IN BLAZE THAT SWEEPS SEVEN PROPERTIES
FIVE FIRE COMPANIES FROM SURROUNDING TOWNS RESPOND TO CALL TO BATTLE FLAMES
TOWN NOW PLANS FOR ADEQUATE FIRE PROTECTION
The town of Pillow in the upper end of Dauphin County was threatened by a blaze early on Wednesday morning when the stables and storage barns and other outbuildings on six properties were swept by a blaze.
It is believed that a brush fire started on the property of Walter E. Rowe was the cause of the blaze and that a slight wind fanned the flames and carried sparks to adjoining buildings.
Truck Drive Makes Discovery
It was bout 7:00 o’clock in the morning that Mr. Schminkey who drives a bread truck for the Miller Bakery of Gratz discovered that the Rowe barn was afire, and he spread the alarm. The fire then swept on to the adjoining barn of Elias Koble and from there it jumped across the alley to Mrs. Brosious’ property and then swept the properties of Clinton Campbell, the carpenter shop of Isaac Miller, George Snyder and David Boyer. All these properties are located in the rear of those fronting on Union Street, the main thoroughfare of the town and in the southeast section of Pillow. Citizens hastily formed bucket brigades to check the advance of the flames.
Homes And Church Menaced
The intense heat of the flame badly scorched the Miller, Snyder and Campbell homes, and at the latter place a bucket brigade saved the house. The blaze also threatened the United Brethren Church adjoining the Campbell home, which rood caught fire and the rear wall was also scorched. Water badly damaged the plaster to the ceiling of that building.
Five Companies Respond
A general alarm was sent out and the Elizabethville and Gratz fire companies, arriving first on the scene saved the church and homes that were in immediate danger. The Herndon chemical truck also aided in saving outlying buildings and in checking the blaze. Wiconisco and the Millersburg pumpers responded to the alarm.
Pump Water From Mill Race
With the arrival of the other three companies, the Elizabethville and Gratz pumpers were stationed along the mill race, the water of which furnished power for the mill owned by William Bohner which runs a course about a quarter of a mile south of the town, and from there two streams were pumped to the blaze. When a call for additional hose was made, Ralph Zeigler rushed several hundred more feet to the scene, which enabled the fire fighters to combat the flames more effectively.
Automobiles Saved From Burning Garages
Two automobiles, the property of Walter Rowe and Isaac Miller were saved from the garages which were destroyed and household goods were removed from the dwellings threatened by the flames. At about nine o’clock the fire, although having destroyed the barns and outbuildings of six properties as well as damaging the United Brethren Church, was well under the control of the companies and most of the danger had been removed.
The loss is estimated at $10,000 and will not exceed $12,000, most of the properties being covered by insurance.
Start Move For Better Fire Protection
$3,000 Subscribed To Fund
Pillow, with a population of 550, possesses and incorporated water company and a small reservoir, but is without adequate protection, having no fire hydrants for this purpose. Up to Wednesday noon a fund of $3,000 had already been subscribed to, and it is the intention that the town shall in the future, enjoy better and more adequate fire protection. The purchase of apparatus and the formation of a company is expected in some time not far distant. The entire citizenry of Pillow have expressed their most sincere thanks to the prompt response and aid sent them by the fire companies for battling the blaze which had threatened their town.
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