The Way it Was

100 years ago

Accident at the asylum

A bad accident occurred at the asylum this afternoon in which contractor Suter and his foreman, Mr. Baugh, had a narrow escape from death. Both were injured, Mr. Suter being painfully bruised about the body and Mr. Baugh's leg being broken in two places. For a while, amputation was thought to be necessary, but at this time it is believed his limb will be saved.

The two men had placed one of the heavy iron radiators upon the elevator and started down to a lower floor when the cable suddenly broke and the elevator with lightning rapidity shot downward to the ground.

50 years ago

Fire razes Metz Grain elevator

METZ -- Fire completely destroyed the Metz Grain Company at 3:30 a.m., today.

Mrs. Owen Wingate discovered the fire at that time and the entire building was aflame by the time volunteer firefighters arrived at the scene. Besides the building a truck and a quantity of fertilizer and some small grain were destroyed in the blaze.

Because of the calm night, the flames did not endanger any other buildings in the vicinity.

Lester Ogle of Nevada, owner of the Metz Grain Company, was out of the city today and it has not been ascertained whether there are any plans for rebuilding.

Ogle purchased the Metz Grain Company building, a former livery stable, two years ago and converted the 40 by 60 foot building into a grain elevator.