The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 12, 1906 On Monday evening the residence of ISAAC DOWNARD on East Armory Avenue was completely destroyed by fire. The structure was a story and a half frame building, valued at about $850. and was only insured for $350. The contents of the lower story were saved but everything upstairs was destroyed. It is not known exactly how the fire originated; it may have caught from a defective flue, or a lamp which had been left burning upstairs may have exploded. When the fire was discovered the flames were bursting through the roof. The fire department arrived on the scene but the members were powerless to render any assistance as there was no water supply that could be reached with the hose. And still there are people who insist that we do not need water works. The people who live in the outskirts of the city are compelled to pay taxes just as high as if they lived within a few blocks of the square and they should have fire protection. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 6, 2004 [email protected]