Fire wiped out the business section of Marion on March 28, 1905. Not a business house of any importance is left in the town. The loss is estimated at $200,000.
The fire broke out shortly after 5 o'clock in the stable in the rear of the business of J. H. Orme. Owing to the high wind prevailing, the fire caught and spread rapidly. It is believed the fire was started by a smoker dropping a match in the stable.
The east side of the public square where most of the stores were located was first to go and every building beginning at the old brick hotel and extending to Koltinsky's grocery two blocks away was destroyed.
The section burned covered about four blocks and included a number of residences as well as business building.
All the dry goods, grocery, drug, hardware and other stores of the town, the saloons, the postoffice, the Crittenden Press plant and the Marion bank were reduced to smouldering ruins.
It was soon seen the blaze was beyond the control of the local fire fighters and aid was requested from Evansville, but the apparatus sent on a special rain over the I. C. railway did not reach Marion until 7:30 that afternoon, after the fire had burned itself out.
The loss is the most severe the town has ever suffered and some of those who were burned out have not yet recovered from the blow sufficiently to decide upon what steps they will take for the future.
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