On This Date in Minnesota History: January 9

January 9, 1896 – About 1 this morning a fire broke out in the rear end of the Coats & Freeman Building, on the north side of St. German Street, St. Cloud, used by Julius Kuck for a grocery store. The strong north wind caused flames to spread over every part of the dry wooden structure, and it was feared that C. F. & William Powell’s hardware store, Shoemaker’s shoe store, P. Mussinger’s saloon, and J. R. Bigerstaff’s crockery store would succumb to the fire, but the firemen fought it well, after they once got at it, and saved them. Owing to the lateness of the hour and the severity of the weather, it being 25 degrees below zero, the firemen did not get to work as promptly as usual. The Coats & Freeman Building was a total loss. Julius Kuck’s loss was total.

It is believed that the fire caught from the stove, as before Kuck left his store last night about 11 a.m., he filled his stove to its utmost capacity in order to keep things from freezing in his store. 

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Fire at St. Cloud.”; Jan. 10, 1896; p. 1.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain June 24, 2014,
as long as acknowledgement included.  

               __________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com