1989 Bennett House Fire, Rossville, Kansas
The Kenneth and Norma Bennett residence at 304 Main, Rossville, Kansas, was destroyed by fire the evening of Friday, December 15, 1989. Cause of the fire is unknown, but broke out in the walls about 8:30. Firefighters were on the scene until 8:00 Saturday morning. The Bennetts and their daughter, Yvonne, escaped unharmed. According to Fire Chief Robert Sieh, all attempts to save the house and its contents were hampered by temperatures of 15 degrees or more below zero. Article transcription: FIRE HAD BEEN RAGING in the walls of the Kenny and Norma Bennett home on Rossville's North Main street before Mrs. Bennett called the fire department about 9 p.m. Friday, December 15. Cause of the fire had not been determined at press time, but the house and contents of the home are considered a total loss. Fire Chief Bob Sieh called St. Marys for fire personnel to assist in fighting the fire, as well as a paramedic unit. Firefighters were at the scene until about 3 a.m. Saturday. One of the firemen said that it look two people to remove the firemen's gloves and the snaps on their fire uniforms also froze. There were no injuries in this fire, which was finally considered "out" at 5:30 a.m. Ice buildup on the second floor and in the basement make the structure unsafe to enter at this time. People arc cautioned, once again, to be very careful of portable heaters, Christmas lights and other items which could cause fires at this time of year. Photo by Brandon Magette Page 5 St Marys Star December 19, 1989 ICE FORMED as quickly as the water came from the hoses at the terrible fire in Rossville Friday, December 16. Alan McKenzie and Assistant Fire Chief Steve Guyle man the hose. The tree took on the appearance of a winter wonderland as the water hit it and froze solid. Photo by Brandon Magette
Kenneth Bennett, Rossville, Kansas St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas (RCL0448)
Rossville Community Library, Rossville, Kansas used with permission
1917 Fire Destroys Old Landmarks, Rossville, Kansas
Number 7 Old Landmarks Burned Hartzell Drug Store, Feed Store, Shoe Stop and a Harness Shop Gutted By Flames. Aye’s Stock Carried to Safety. An early afternoon fire Monday burned the D. Hartzell drug store building and contents, E.D. Hartzell’s poultry and feed store the building occupied by Hower’s shoe shop and the building occupied by Wm. Aye’s harness shop. Practically all the Aye stock was saved. Mr. Hower saved all his tools and his bed. The entire contents of the drug store and feed store was burned. The fire was discovered about 12:45 on the roof of the building occupied by the shoe shop, and is supposed to have started from a defective flue or burning soot igniting the roof. Although the engine and hose were promptly on the job, the whole block of wooden buildings was burning fiercely before a stream could be turned on the flames. The engine wouldn’t work—carburetor out of whack, dome had frozen and cracked and pressure therefor cut down. After it was started and run twenty minutes it was found no water was circulating through the cylinders, and possibly a few more minor defects, if we had thought to catalog them all. In the meantime the Aye stock was carried to safety. Only a light breeze was blowing from due south, and the firemen stationed themselves in its path on Dr. Pratt’s office and held it in check and confined to the wooden buildings. Men on the buildings farther north watched the roofs for incipient blazes. By 3 o’clock the buildings were burned to the foundations. An effort was made and succeeded in keeping the fire out of the drug store cellar where some potatoes were stored. The floor is still over the cellar. The buildings burned were landmarks of Rossville’s infancy. The two rooms owned by D. Hartzell were built in the early eighties; the shoe shop and harness building owned by the Oldfield estate were nearly as old. As if in defiance of all fires, the charred joists of the south partition of the drug store remained standing after the balance of the building was gone, as once before the building was saved and the Fritz building burned instead. The only insurance carried was by Mr. Aye, and most of his stock was saved. E.D. Hartzell’s loss on stock was $300 or $400 and the buildings and drug stock loss was about $2500. Mr. Aye had rented and housed his stock in the fireproof Howerton building before the fire had finished burning his old stand. The loss of these buildings leaves a big gap on the west side of Main street, but some of the most desirable building sites in the business part of town. In giving thanks to the many generous citizens who helped in saving property and subduing the flames, let us not forget to thank the Lord the wind was not in the west. [February 15, 1917]
Charles Oldfield charged with arson, 1964, Rossville, Kansas
This cotton mattress in the house owned by Earl Ables in Rossville burned completely last week without setting the house afire. Charles J. Oldfield, 59, of Rossville was charged with second degree arson Friday in the Court of Topeka. Oldfield lived next door to the Ables house (the former Wm. O'Neil place) which was vacant. Another attempt to set the house on fire was made by setting a fire in this cabinet drawer. Even the box containing the wallpaper sitting below the drawer was burned. The third attempt, putting rags between lath in the wall, also burned itself out without setting the house on fire. Bare footprints in the snow from the Oldfield door to the Ables door lead in the arrest of Oldfield. He gave no reason for the arson attempt.
Shawnee County Reporter, Rossville, Kansas
1972 George Rowlett home fire, Delia, Kansas
Fire at Delia The photo above shows the remains of the home of George Rowlett near Delia. The house burned to the ground late Monday night.
Dave Shibler residence fire, 1984, Rossville, Kansas
The Dave Shibler residence near Delia was destroyed last week by fire. Firefighters were unable to control the flames, resulting in a total loss. the family was unable to salvage any belongings from the fire and information on a special fund for the family appears elsewhere in this issue. -Photo by Tracy Allen [handwritten note: the old Chris Rodenbaugh house]
Berry Grain Elevator fire, 1974, Rossville, Kansas
A fire that began about 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning destroyed a wooden frame elevator at Rossville. The Berry Grain Elevator, located just east of the Hesse Lumber Company, was empty of grain but was a total loss. The fire which began at the top of the elevator was fairly well contained to the one unit by the Rossville, Silver Lake and St. Marys fire departments.
Skaggs Hardware after fire destroyed it, Rossville, Kansas
Skaggs Hardware caught fire in 1913. It was so hot and dry and burned so quickly that all efforts were given to saving adjoining buildings. Losses were Skaggs Hardware and stock, $13,000; Binns carpenter shop and barn, $650; Smith heirs and DeVinney residence, $1,500; Dr. Pratt residence, $1,000, and 20 beautiful shade trees.