Geller Saw Mill & Dry Sheds - April 1898  

April 29, 1898

ANOTHER BIG BLAZE

About 11 o’clock Thursday evening the ringing of church bells and cry of fire aroused our citizens from the land of dreams, who immediately realized that a fire of considerable proportions was raging in the city.

Soon people began to pour out of their homes, and it was discovered that the Geller saw mill and dry sheds were a seething mass of flames.

There was terrible excitement in town as it looked as though the whole city could easily be wiped off the face of the earth, as Gandy’s livery barn was in direct line with the fire, and as the cinders were flying in every direction it was greatly feared that the barn would ignite, but prompt and active measures prevented it.

Had this barn taken fire the show for saving the town would have been very slim.

The loss to Mr. Geller will be about $5,000, as there was no insurance on the mill and contents, bout on the lumber stored in the dry sheds where was an insurance of $1,500.

Just how the fire originated is a mystery as Mr. Geller states that he visited the mill at 9 o’clock p.m. and there was no signs of fire, while two hours later, seemingly like magic, the mill and sheds both were enveloped in flames, hence taking everything into consideration it strongly flavors incendiarism. This is the second fire that has visited Culver during the past three months, and the third may raze the town, and as we have repeatedly stated before, something effective should be accomplished toward fire protection.

We understand there has been some buckets, etc. ordered but this we deem is in…

Sufficient protection secured at once and the question as to whether the town can afford it should not be taken into consideration.

One big conflagration can wipe out property enough to put in a system of water works equal to any in the country.

The loss of the saw mill and sheds, which were full of fine building material, will be severely felt by Mr. Geller, and he therefore earnestly calls upon all of those who are indebted to him to call and settle at once. Now is the accepted time and when he needs it.