1903 Fire Newspaper Coverage

News article from the Effingham Republican Dec 4 1903

FIRE AT KINMUNDY

The Effingham fire department was called to Kinmundy at an early hour Wednesday morning to assist in fighting a big fire that destroyed two blocks of teh business section of that place. The department went down on a special train, taking with them one hose cart and the old deluge engine. The hook and ladder wagon, Babcocks and one hose cart were not taken.
The fire started in a Jew clothing store which is said to have been heavily insured. The entire loss is estimated at $100,000, with possibly $25,000 insurance. It is said that if the Effingham department could have arrived an hour sooner, it oculd have saved many buildings. The Journal office was an entire loss, which will fall heavily on its proprietor.