"Big Fire In Truxton" Continued

   A slightly different version of the "Big Fire in Truxton" (Cortland Standard, Friday, April 29, 1904) was chronicled by the DeRuyter Gleaner on May 5, 1904, almost a week after the fire occurred. The significant difference between the two newspaper reports focused on the Cortland Fire Department's time of response. 
   This is the story of the fire as reported by the DeRuyter Gleaner.

fire department steamer circa 1904.
 

A Fire At Truxton!

The High School Building And O’Connor’s Hotel Destroyed.
A Cortland Fire Company Arrived too Late—Valuable School library a Total Loss—A Waterworks System Now Being Agitated.
(From our regular correspondent.)

   At about 1:30 o'clock last Friday morning, the high school building was discovered to be on fire. The alarm was immediately given and a large crowd soon gathered but the fire was beyond control. The building was soon enveloped in flames and it was evident that the adjoining buildings were in imminent danger. The O’Connor’s hotel stood in close proximity to the burning building on the west and the M. E. church on the east. The hotel soon caught fire and although the fire made slow progress at first, yet it was impossible to save it. and this with O'Connor's store adjoining, was soon wrapped in flames. Nearly all of the hotel furnishings were saved and a large portion of the dry goods and groceries. But the school house, hotel and store were burned to the ground, also the dwelling house occupied by Mr. Applegate which stood next to the store. The Cortland fire company were notified and responded promptly, but when the fire train reached East Homer the company discovered that they had left their hose, or part of it at least, and were therefore obliged to return to Cortland. They arrived here about 4:30. but as the fire was under control, the engine was not unloaded from the car. By hard labor on the part of the citizens the M. E. parsonage was saved. The school library which was valued at about $700 was a total loss as was also the books belonging to the teachers and scholars: Prof. Dickenson's being about $75.00. The school building was insured for $5,000. The loss on books and apparatus is estimated at $1,800. Mr. O'Connor was insured for $2,300 and he estimates his loss at between $6,000 and $7,000. We understand that Mr. O'Connor will rebuild. School was resumed Monday morning, the academic department being located in Woodward's hall, the intermediate in rooms over F. J. Westcott's store, and the primary in the vacant building below the Catholic church. Truxton has no fire protection, but the question is being agitated of putting in a water system, which could be easily accomplished with but comparatively little expense.

Truxton.  Mrs. E. L. Applegate is passing a few days with her daughter, Mrs. Meldrim, in Cincinnatus.