Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana) Courier, March 7, 1899, p. 2. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE ON THE WEST SIDE OF PUBLIC SQUARE Caused Much Excitement at 10:30 Last Night. >From Saturday's Daily. Shortly after 10 o'clock last night fire was discovered in the Allen block, on the west side of the public square. The flames originated in the rear room of Summers' photograph gallery and soon spread to the adjoining rooms of the building. The department responded quickly, and was soon throwing streams from the front and rear. The flames broke out through the roof, and blazed high in the air. The firemen by heroic work confined the flames to the second story of the Allen building, although for over an hour the entire block appeared to be doomed. The damage to the building will amount to several hundred dollars. It is insured by the Woolley & Barnhill agency for $2,000 and by Louden & Louden for $1,500. The Summers' photograph gallery is almost a total loss. He carried $700 insurance in the H. A. Axtell agency. Eli K. Miles moved his law books across the street. His loss is slight. No insurance. For awhile everyone thought the shoe store of G. T. Atkinson would be destroyed, but by effective work the firemen saved the room. Mr. Atkinson moved a portion of his goods into the store of Adams Bros. His damage from water and smoke is covered by a policy of $1000 in the Louden & Louden agency. Faris & Faris, the grocers, sustained a heavy damage by water. Their stock is amply insured by Woodward & Thornton, $500; Woolley & Barnhill, $1,000; T. J. Sare, $500. The damage on the millinery stores of Mrs. Pauley and Mrs. Payne is slight, and the store of Jesse Howe also escaped much damage. The fire was first discovered by J. R. McDermont, a student, who gave the alarm. It is supposed to have started from a stove in the rear of the gallery. Chief Gilmore and his men did excellent work, and fought the fire in the most effective manner. Only a few people were awakened by the alarm, and the crowd in attendance was small. Constance T. Shotts, Ed.D., CG(SM) CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluations by the Board and the board name is a trademark registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.