On This Date in Minnesota History: November 30

November 30, 1922 – James McKay, about 58 years old, well-known lumberjack and known by hundreds of settlers through Itasca County as “Porcupine Jimmie,” lost his life tonight in a fire that destroyed the Cyrl Hotel at Bena. Lloyd Kegley, another roomer at the hotel, was seriously burned about the hands, head and arms, was brought to Grand Rapids and is reported in serious condition at the local hospital. He will recover.

The fire, which started shortly after 9 p.m., is believed to have had its origin from a carelessly thrown cigarette butt. All of the persons in the building escaped with their lives with the exception of McKay.

The building was owned by Koors Brothers of Bemidji and occupied by L. J. Carpenter, who operated a pool room on the first floor and a rooming house upstairs. A small adjoining building, belonging to James Costello, was also consumed by the flames.

The Duluth Herald: “Bena Hotel Fire Takes One Life. ‘Porcupine Jimmie,’ Well-Known Itasca County Lumberjack, Victim.”; Dec. 1, 1922; p. 1.

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