Central Hotel Destroyed by Fire 1909
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RESEARCHED BY : TINA EASLEY
12/31/2008
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ar/county/greene/
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FRIDAY , NOVEMBER 26, 1909 - THE DAILY SOLIPHONE
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DISASTROUS FIRE CONSUMES HOTEL
BUILDING AND FURNISHINGS OF CENTRAL HOTEL COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FLAMES
YESTERDAY MORNING AT 1 O'CLOCK FIRE DESTROYED THE CENTRAL HOTEL LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF WEST MAIN AND SOUTH SECOND STREET.
JUST HOW THE FIRE STARTED NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW . IT IS SUPPOSED , HOWEVER , THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY RATS GNAWING ON MATCHES. WHEN THE ALARM WAS SOUNDED THE FLAMES HAD GAINED AND WERE LEAPING OUT OF THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING .
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF GUESTS IN THE HOTEL AND SEVERAL MARVELOUS ESCAPES WERE RECORDED . ONE OR TWO HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE SECOND STORY WINDOWS , CLAD IN SCANT ATTIRE, SEVERAL WERE BURNED IN MAKING THERE EXIT .
THE HOTEL BUILDING BELONGED TO FRANK CARDWELL AND WAS VALUED AT ABOUT $1,200 . HE CARRIED INSURANCE TO THE AMOUNT OF $80.00.