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.