Mr. Calhoun’s Law Office Fire

Lida Brooks (Toomer) Calhoun wrote in her journals about both major and minor events of life in St. Cloud, MN. On February 14th, 1891, she wrote about one of the major events, a fire that destroyed “Mr. Calhoun’s” law office. She wrote of him in the third person, (like John Prine’s grandma, she called her husband “Mister”), but there was always affection in her words. That morning she woke to the distant ringing of a fire alarm. “I called to Mr. Calhoun to get up, saying it looked as if the whole town was afire, and when he stood beside me, he too thought the fire was spreading, but a long way off. Imagine the blow to him when he reached the scene to find his office with it’s entire contents gone.”

The fire was at the McClure & Searle building on 5th Avenue. The architect of the building, Allen Edwards Hussey, also had an office there. Evidence of the fire can still be seen in images from Google Street View. The building survived the fire, but, the loss to its occupants was devastating.

What is preserved of the past and what is lost is not without cause. Like the books, novels and philosophy, that were not in Mr. Calhoun’s law office when it burned, some things are passed on. The McClure & Searle building is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Untouched by the fire, the Grand Central Hotel is gone—replaced at first by a parking lot and now a non-descript Courtyard Marriott.

Feb 14/.91 This day is one that will linger in our minds and heart for a long while, and our valentine awoke us, but not with a merry kiss. At 4-30 the ringing of the fire alarm aroused me, and going to the door I saw a light in the Southern Part of the City, and as the fog was very heavy, it seemed a long way off. The alarm was sent in from box 13, and that was down at the Narmel [?], so I went back to bed, but not to sleep, as the bells, and water power whistle, kept up a noise. Finally at half past six, I got up again, and going to the window, the sight that greeted me was appalling. The whole heavens were a glare of light, and despite the fog, the the reflection was so bright, that it seemed as if the entire City was burning. I called to Mr. Calhoun to get up, saying it looked as if the whole town was afire, and when he stood beside me, he too thought the fire was spreading, but a long way off. Imagine the blow to him when he reached the scene to find his office with it’s entire contents gone, and not one dollar of insurance. All of the books that he had spent years in accumulating, typewriter, files, desks, papers, bookcases, etc. — all in ashes. Their library was considered one of the most valuable in this part of the state, and one of the firms estimates the loss as six thousand; and without insurance, they must begin again. When Mr. Calhoun got back, he had recovered from the first effects of the shock, and in answer to my question replied, “yes, dear; it is a total loss, but we will try and make the best of it. My first thought was the effect it would have on you, and now if you will not worry over it, I can laugh it off, and begin again. Promise me you will not let it distress you, and I will brave it out, and in a few years we will not feel that we ever met such a loss.” What a dear thoughtful comforter he is, and what a philosopher also. Still the outlook is gloomy enough, and I find that I am completely unnerved by the shock. Mrs. Lamb and I wander about aimlessly, but generally manage to keep together, as there is some little consolation in commiseration. There! My dear penniless boy is come, and I am more content.

Feb 15/.91 What a blessing the change in the weather is to the workmen, the rescuers I mean. Yesterday the firemen battled with the fire deamon, while the spray from the hose enveloped them in ice, as it froze as it fell. During the day it moderated, and by night was thawing, and this morning we find the water dripping from the roofs, and running in the Sts. Sunday as it is, the work of rescue goes on, and as I came home from Church, one of the safes of McClure & Whitney had been unearthed, and rolled out on the pavement. The heat is still intense, necessitating the use of the hose.

Feb 16/.91 Another great change, this time being 6 below zero. Two more safes have been rescued, one belonging to my husband, and so deep down did it get, that it was not even defaced by the heat. Later in the afternoon he brought up a blackened mass, that had once been their letter book, and after thawing it, (for it was a solid cake of ice) we found the interior had not suffered much from fire. Of course the edges were burned to a crisp but most of the letters were legible. By half past ten all of the pages had been dryed out, and we felt that this was one attim [?] of good out of the muck.—

Feb 17/.91 Snowing when we awoke this morning, and continued most the forenoon. Zero at 8 A.M.—

My heart was touched by a bit of regard shown to Mr. Calhoun, by one of his clients, Mr. H. J. Andersen. When he went down to his temporary office, after dinner, he found a package addressed to the firm, with card naming the donor, and on opening it, found between $40.00 and $70.00 worth of law books. Such a timely gift, and so delicately bestowed, surely bespeaks a friend.—

Feb 18/.91 16 below zero at 7-30 A.M. clear, and still. I went to prayer meeting but did not derive as much comfort as usual.—

Thawing at noon today, and snowing at 4 oclock this afternoon.— 

10 oclock; and Mr Calhoun is sleeping restlessly, so I will stop writing and extinguish the light. See that! his foot pushing against my desk. Next I shall expect to have his toes in the ink stand, so good-night. Still snowing.—

— Lida Brooks (Toomer) Calhoun, Journals, (1891)