The Russell Fire of 1929

     The two photographs above show the ruins the day after the tragic blaze destroyed nearly the entire south business street.

     On Sunday, after the flames were subdued, a bountiful supper was served by the ladies of the Presbyterian Aid in the basement of their church.

     In its history, Russell has had its share of tragic fire.  The most spectacular of these blazes broke out on March 24, 1929, and destroyed nearly the entire south side of the town's business street.  Five buildings were totally destroyed:  the R.A. Plotts building occupied by McKinley's Cafe, the J.W. Thomas Harness Shop, a vacant building formerly occupied by Hepenstall's Store, the old bank building housing Stacy's Cafe and another vacant building where the Carpenter Barber Shop was formerly located.

     It was about 3:20 on Sunday afternoon that some of the young fellows of the town seated in cars in front of the Stacy Cafe noticed that smoke was emerging from the roof in the rear of the building.  The young men immediately ran to the firehouse for the chemical wagon and started the siren.  The telephone operator, not having been notified of the fire, assumed pranksters had started the siren at the firehouse and she turned off the alarm from her post.  A short time later, when the fire was reported to the operator, the alarm was sounded and plenty of help was soon on the scene.  But the local fire engine then failed and since water could not be pumped onto the blaze, volunteers immediately turned to removing contents of the buildings, which were in danger into the street.

Three Lives Are Blotted Out -1898

     Every community has its share of tragedies.  Nearly seventy years ago a particular incident shocked the quiet town of Russell.
    It was August 23, 1898.  Only a handful of Russell's senior citizens remember the day.  To the early morning riser word was spreading of a grim finding at the Newell residence.  William Newell, his wife and daughter Madge were all found dead, an apparent double murder and suicide.
    Newell was a local clothing merchant whose business was located in the west part of the building now occupied by Merle Chester.  In an ad in Russell's newspaper in 1897, Mr. Newell assured customers he would undersell everybody else on suits, coats, pants or vests.  He professed: "No firm offers such elegant goods as the ones I represent."

     Pictured at left is the Newell residence in the west part of Russell as it appears today.

    The newspapers gave dramatic accounts typical of journalism of that era.  In Des Moines The Iowa State Register was filled with the latest news of our boys in the Spanish-American War.  However, space was given for this account of the local tragedy:

THREE LIVES ARE BLOTTED OUT

                            Wm. Newell, A Merchant of Russell, Shoots His Wife, Daughter and Self. 

                                     Business Reverses Supposed to Have Deranged His Mind and 

                                               Caused the Rash Act Triple Tragedy At Russell

Chariton, Aug. 23 - Special:  William Newell, a clothing merchant, of Russell, shot and killed his wife and 8-year-old daughter, Madge, and then shot himself this morning about 2 o'clock.  His wife was in bed, apparently asleep, and was shot through the head.  The girl, in the other room, was shot through the heart.  He was shot in the eye.  Worry over financial matters is supposed to have affected his mind and caused the rash act, as he was always the most loveable husband and father.  Yesterday he gave a mortgage on his stock to a Keokuk firm for $300, when other creditors began to press him.  His son, who was in Omaha, came home today.
    Jerry Cadagan, a neighbor, and Mrs. J.F. Sprague, heard the shots and thought that they were fired by someone in the street.  This morning R.F.Huston and Pat Ford went by the house, went to the door and knocked, but receiving no answer, went in and found the bodies.  The coroner's inquest was held by Dr. J.H. Stanton, of Chariton.  The funerals will occur at 12 o'clock Wednesday at Melrose, Iowa, by the I.O.O.F.

    This large stone with accompanying smaller stones mark the resting place of the Newell family in the Russell Cemetery.