The Great Sheridan Fire of October 31st, 1897

(Reprinted from The Star of November 4th, 1897)
The beautiful little city of Sheridan was visited by a terrible conflagration last Sunday (October 31st, 1897) afternoon. The fire broke out about 4:00 and in an hour and a half, twelve buildings were laid in ashes. The fire originated from a defective flue in Van Sandt’s Drug Store. The buildings were all frame and burned like shavings. A high wind prevailed at the time, which rendered it absolutely impossible to subdue the flames and all the efforts were directed at saving the stock of goods and household effects. Services were in progress at both the churches, which had brought in quite a number of country people, who furnished a large part of assistance in saving property.

And they worked heroically. It is said that little frail women carried out two and three sacks of flour at a time. The large force and hard work saved a large amount of merchandise and household articles. The following buildings were destroyed:
–Herndon Bros. General Merchandise;
–A. Watson & Son Hardware;
–G.L. Uriel & Co., Drugs;
–A. Van Sandt, Drugs;
–Emmitt Wilson, Confectionary;
–A.M. Tibbles Law Office;
–E. Stingley (vacant building);
–P. O’Dougherty, Drugs;
–J.S. Carpenter, Drugs;
–M.V. Nutt, Livery;
–F.M. West Hotel;
–W.J. Dawson, Barn.

The loss is estimated at $20,000 on buildings, stock, and the insurance carried was $1,930. We did not learn who all the lucky persons were, but understand that J.S. Carpenter is among the number who carried insurance. A. Watson & Son were the heaviest losers, their loss being estimated at $6,000, embraced largely in a stock of wagons and furniture, which was on the second floor and entirely destroyed.

The fire is a severe blow to many of Sheridan’s best businessmen, but they will no doubt recover from it in a short time with better buildings. This is a bad time of the year to build the conflagration was especially inopportune in this respect.

We had requested more detailed particulars of the fire from Editor Gooden of The Advance and ordinarily would feel chagrined at his failure to respond, but on the advice that he has not yet recovered from the loss of one cedar bucket 8 years old, we are impelled to extend complete pardon.