Kendall County, Illinois Genealogy

Fire at Newark in 1868

Published in the Kendall County Record, April 2, 1868
Edited and compiled by Elmer Dickson

On last Friday morning about 1:30 a.m., a fire was discovered in the photograph room over Mr. Manchester's drug store in Newark. The fire soon destroyed the building and two others; Winchell's hardware store and Bingham's shoe shop. Mr. Manchester had no insurance and loses $3,000 on his stock. The building was owned by Dr. Fowler and was insured for $800. Mr. Winchell loses building and stock. His insurance policy expired a few days ago and had not been renewed. His loss is between $3,000 and $4,000. Mr. Bingham's loss was his building, worth about $400. His stock was saved. A meat market adjoining was torn down to prevent the fire spreading further east. It was the work of an incendiary.

The large store of John A. Coy was saved with difficulty. The heat blistered the men who assisted in throwing water upon it and spreading blankets over the front.