The Oskaloosa Times Jefferson County Friday February 16, 1900 Oskaloosa's Big Fire. Jefferson House, Cooper Building and Edmond & Perry's Meat Market Destroyed. Fire broke out in Edmond & Perry's meat market at about 2:30 o'clock Saturday morning and had gained considerable headway before it was discovered. It is supposed to have caught in the upper story from the stove pipe. When discovered, by Miss Helen BALSLEY, it had almost consumed the rear of the meat market and had burned through to the Cooper building where Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Balsely and Miss Helen were sleeping. They gave the alarm and saved a few personal effects. Mr. Edmonds and wife, who slept upstairs over the meat market, barely saved themselves. As is usual in cold weather the fire engine was frozen up and considerable time was lost before water could be thrown on the flames. By the time the engine was in working order the meat market and Cooper building were past help so the fire company concentrated their efforts onthe Jefferson House in a vain endeavor to save it. But by 3:45 the roof had caught fire and it gradually spread over the east side of the building and finally consumed it. By five o'clock the three buildings were burned to the ground. Practically all of the furniture was saved from the hotel, but very little from the Cooper building and none from the Edmonds & Perry market. As soon as the alarm was given the citizens of the town turned out and did all that could be donbe to aid the fire department and to assist in saving property. The only one injured during the entire fire was Will KIRKHAM. He was assisting to move an out-house when a heavy timber fell on his head and knocked him senseless. He recovered in a short time, however. The loss is considerable, but the buildings were pretty well insured. Edmonds & Perry had $1,500 on their stock, building and fixtures. Wm. DOCKHORN had $1,200 on the Cooper building. J.L. FAUBIAN had $2,000 on the hotel. Edmonds & Perry, and Dockhorn & Co., will erect a couple of brick buildings on their lots as soon as arrangements can be made. They expect to begin work next week. J.L. Faubian is having plans made for a new hotel, and will begin work in a few weeks. In the meantime he has rented the McClellan building, in the Union Block, and will continue to entertain his patrons, to the best of his ability. The Times unites with the people of the community in extending sympathy to those who suffered by the fire.