Mabel’s Missives

BY THESE ARTICLES ARE REPRINTS FROM DECADESOLD DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT PAGES. THEY WERE DISCOVERED AND COPIED AS ORIGINALLY PRINTED BY LOCAL HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR, MABEL R. MILLER.

(20 April 1899) THE FIRE FIEND

The fire fiend played sad havoc at Berne at an early hour yesterday morning, and as a result the handsome and commodious Orphans Home is a mass of ruins. The fire broke out from a stove on the third floor, in one of the sleeping rooms. This part is conjecture, but the fact that It started in that part of the building is sufficient reason to suppose that the stove first lead to what proved to be the most damaging and dreadful fire Berne has witnessed for many years, or perhaps ever before. The alarm was given at 4:30 and a quick response came from the fire department and citizens, who labored unceasingly until the fear was past as to the saving of life and property. The Home was established four years ago by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Sprunger, who have labored faithfully and well to make it what it is. Fifty-seven children found a home – and a happy one, too -under the roof of this charitable institution, and where cared for and educated by the guiding hands of Mr. and Mrs. Sprunger. When the fire was announced heroic work was accomplished in rescuing the helpless children from the perils that surrounded them. Notwithstanding the vast amount of heroism displayed, it was so decreed that three lives should be sacrificed with the ruins of the bUilding. Katie Dibblerblocker, of Cleveland, Ohio, aged fourteen years;

Mamie Brodrich, of Chicago, aged fifteen years; and Della Taylor of Linn Grove, Illinois, all lost their lives, it being impossible to rescue them owing to the intense heat and angry flames, which laughed in mockery to the piteous cries of the defenseless children who were buried therein. Considering the large number of children housed in the building.