Bowling Green's Big Blaze Of December 1903

Bowling Green’s Big Blaze Of December 1903

Edited by Spessard Stone from The Florida Times-Union of December 18, 1903.

Bowling Green, Dec. 17-A disastrous fire occurred here Monday morning, involving the loss of a portion of the business section of the town.

The alarm was given shortly after 3 o’clock, when the rear of the store building occupied by L. S. Sykes was found to be in a blaze. The upstairs was used as a dwelling, and the lower part for store business. Just how the fire originated is not known. The building was owned by J. C. Jordan of Ozonia, and is not known to be insured. The stock of merchandise and furniture was insured for $1,800, which will probably cover the loss.

Immediately to the rear of this building was J. R. Vaughn’s furniture wareroom, which was a completely loss, the insurance having run out.

From this point the fire crossed the street and soon Saul Bros.’ place of business was in ashes. They carried about $3,500 stock, with $1,500 insurance. The building was not insured. The upper part was used as a Masonic hall, and the Masons sustained a loss of about $200.

Next the meat market of J. T. Mann was consumed. The store building, owned by T. R. Starke, and used as a dwelling by J. F. Mann was also burned, with considerable loss of household effects. The small store building on the north side of the Sykes building, used as a gunshop by J. A. Overfelt, was also destroyed.

For a time it seemed as if the entire town would go, but fortunately the wind was in the right direction to save the depot, thus preventing the fire from crossing to the other part of town.

Hannah Bros.’ general merchandise store and C. A. Bryant’s blacksmith shop were saved only by heroic work.

The loss, as near as can be estimated, will be about $8,000. It is understood Saul Bros. will rebuild at once, and also that one or two other buildings will be erected for business purposes.

This article, as "History: 1903 Fire," was published in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Fla.), 4A, of December 16, 2004.