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On Saturday August 11, 1900, the town of Turbotville was just setting down to lunch, when a fire broke out in a load of hay recently stacked in a nearby barn. Although the fire was spotted early, strong winds and frame built buildings, burned faster than men could dump water from buckets onto the flames. And then, the town ran out of water - every cistern and well was dry. One fourth of the buildings in the town burnt to the ground, before a row of brick buildings stopped the flames.
A"General View Of The Burned District That Shows Where The Flames Started"
"One fourth of the buildings in the little farming town of Turbotville were destroyed by a destructive fire Saturday afternoon. Forty buildings and a lumber yard are in ruins. Of this number, 16 are dwellings, 3 are stores, and the others are stables. As a result, about 150 people are homeless." reported the Lewisubrg Journal on August 17th, 1900.
A "large quantity" of new hay had just been put in a large barn owned by John Moser and Peter Menges. The fire is believed to have started in that hay.
"As it was 12:30 o'clock, the people of the town were at dinner. They vacated their tables to a man and formed a bucket brigade. Despite all the efforts, the fire gained headway."
After the fire set several buildings ablaze, the women and girls of the town began carrying water to the men who were throwing it on the burning buildings.
Ruins of the Lutheran Parsonage, Occupied by the Rev. Mr Phlegar & Family
( Note - In October of 1889 the Miltoninan Reported that Rev A.P. Pfleuger had bought a farm near the river church in Delaware Twp, and that he would soon resign his present charge)
( Note - In October of 1889 the Miltoninan Reported that Rev A.P. Pfleuger had bought a farm near the river church in Delaware Twp, and that he would soon resign his present charge)
"The buildings in that locality were all of frame, and burned like paper. In the few minutes after the fire was discovered, flames had spread to all adjoining buildings and were soon under great headway, favored by the strong wind that was blowing" reported the Montour American.
Messages were sent to Milton and Watsontown for help - but before those towns could send their fire equipment, the town ran out of water. "Every cistern and well in the town was pumped dry"
With no water to comb at the flames, the fire raged for nearly five hours, destroying everything in it's path.The fire finally was stopped by a row of brick buildings.
Dwelling & General Store of Lewis Robenolt
The Lewisburg Journal tells us that in 1900, Turbotville was located on the Wilkesbarre and Western Railroad, 8 miles south of Milton. It had a population of 500 people, with less than 200 buildings. "It is a long and narrow settlement and was so constructed that it was a suitable prey for such a fire"
Damages were estimated at $60,000, with insurance of only $12,000, as most of the buildings were "frame and cheaply constructed as a rule". All of the contents of the buildings were lost.
More than 100 people were left homeless, and many were "in the homes of neighbors without so much as a change of clothes."
Some Of The Losses:
The Store of Peter Menges
The House & Barn of John Moser
The Furniture Store of R. Hayman
The House & Barn of George Williams
The General Store & Barn of Lewis Robenolt
The Blacksmith Shop & Home of H.C. Bitner
The House & Barn of E.C. Troxell
The House & Barn of W.J. Steiner
The House of William Barnes
The House & Barn of A.T. Phleger
The House Of Joseph Waltschmitz
The House Of The Runyan Sisters
The House Of Luther Smith
The House of Daniel Reeder
The House of Abram Hefflefinger
In October of 1889, a large furniture store was being built by Gritnor., the "wide awake and flourishing furniture man". Same store as above? And does the "wide awake" refer to the wide awake clubs in this area?
The next day, special trains ran to Turbotville, as thousands flocked to the town to see the damages. Many did not arrive empty handed, as was typical in every disaster at that time. The Lewisburg Chronicle reported that "the people of Milton paid a debt of gratitude on Monday. A quarter century ago, when Milton was laid in ruins by flames, the people of Turbotville set the first wagon load of provisions to the stricken and starving people."
In every nearby town, money was raised to be sent to Turbotville. The local newspapers published regular updates on the amounts given:
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https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/turbotville-pennsylvania.html
And More Stories, Photos, & History From Other Local Towns Here:
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High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat. Hay insulates, so the larger the haystack, the less cooling that occurs to offset the heat. When hay's internal temperature rises above 130 degrees F (55 degrees C), a chemical reaction begins to produce flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature goes high enough.
The Lewisburg Journal August 17 1900
The Times, Sunday August 12
Early newspaper reports indicated that Aged Mrs Sarah Brown was missing and presumed dead, but later articles state that it was amazing no lives were lost, so we can assume Mrs Brown was located safe.
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| Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12 1900 |
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