Fire destroys the Nichols building
Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
With Leonard Cash
In this week’s installment of “History on Main,” historian Leonard Cash retells the account of the fire that destroyed the A.M. Nichols Supply building.
According to the Dec. 17, 1909, issue of the News Journal, a fire broke out around 9 p.m. It went undetected until a flame appeared near the back of the building on the east side. The Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department came with hose carts and a hook and ladder truck. Despite working in the chilled December air and dark of night, firefighters managed to get two streams of water “playing on the flames.”
“Although having to fight the fire at several points and under the roof, they soon demonstrated that they were masters of the situation,” the article says.
The rooms that weren’t destroyed by the fire were secured for the “housing of the business, which will resume as soon as the loss is appraised until this can be done.” The cause of fire was unknown, although it was thought it might have been the flue in the meat market, but “this flue was rebuilt on(ly) a short time ago and was considered safe.”
In the meantime, the company opened a fresh stock of groceries next to the News Journal, reported the Dec. 24, 1909, issue of the paper.
“The goods that were in the storeroom of the time of the fire will be sold from the old stand beginning next Monday morning,” the article says.
Cash said Nichols decided to “dispose” of the old building and start completely new. A local architect named Randall was designing a two-story building with a 75-foot frontage and a depth of 60 feet, complete with a finished basement for the supply company, according to an article from Jan. 7, 1910.
Nichols accepted the “splendid plans” for the stone block building, announced the Jan. 14, 1910, paper. This was the same type of stone used for the courthouse, “with an almost entire front and back of plate glass.”
“The building is practically fireproof design and equipped throughout with every modern convenience. Although the contract has not been let, stone is already being put on the ground so that construction can be rapidly pushed to completion,” the article says.
Sealed bids could be dropped off at Randall’s office until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, and they were required to be addressed to Nichols.
“Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check for two per cent of the amount of the bid payable to A.M. Nichols as a guarantee that the contract will be entered into if the bid is accept(ed),” the article says. “Work must be completed without unnecessary delay as may be provided in the contract.”
The Jan. 28, 1910, issue of the paper reported that Nichols purchased the “Deetkin corner” on Main Street, which was opposite the milling store on Warren Avenue. It was said to be “one of the best sites for a business house on Main Street.” Cash said this was lot 1 of block 10.
Nichols bought two more business lots on Warren Avenue shortly after, and he planned to erect a new building, according to an article from Feb. 4, 1910.
“Newcastle property is undoubtedly a good purchase at present, and those who buy now will reap the gain of increased value,” the
article says.
M.J. Williams won the contract for the construction of the “Nichols business block” (lots 4 through 6) for $21,500, but the plumbing and heating costs were not included. He was the same contractor who started constructing
Newcastle’s courthouse.
“The awarding of this contract to Mr. Williams is very pleasing to all who have noted the excellent work he is having done on the new courthouse,” the article says.
The article also noted that even though it was winter, Nichols decided to use it to his advantage as they got ready to erect a new business structure.
“In taking advantage of the good sledding, Mr. Nichols has 800 perch of stone, about two-thirds of the amount to be used, already on the ground,” the article says.
The Feb. 18, 1910, edition of the paper, reported that the second floor would have a 25-foot-by-75-foot room in the back, and it would be used as a lodge hall — the Masons already “having contracted the room for a term of a year.”
Workers were busy moving the old building off the land, according to an article from March 4, 1910, and the process of excavating the three lots started that week.
A week later, the paper announced that both Randall and Williams returned from a trip to Casper. Randall and his wife decided to make Newcastle their permanent home, and A.D. Searl (who was painting the courthouse and accompanied Williams on his trip) was considering moving to Newcastle from Casper if he could find “a suitable home.” The following issue of the paper said the Randalls were living in the T.P. Sweet residence in the north section of town.
Around April 1, 1910, a “fine” marble top oak counter and a patent sectional refrigerator “of large size” was installed at the Nichols Market. This fridge embodied “every improved feature of cooling and sanitation.”
A May 27, 1910, article announced that Nichols was living on “Poverty Heights.” Cash said it was probably located near the old high school, which was on top of the hill near present-day Little Ones Daycare.
As work progressed on the Nichols’ business block, it was time to call for more bids. Bidding was to open at 2 p.m. July 30, according to the July 15, 1910, paper, to pay for the furnishing and labor to construct and install heating, plumbing, water and sewage systems, according to the plans from Randall.
The Aug. 5, 1910, issue announced that out of the seven bids being considered, Thoeming Mercantile Co. won the contract. The following week, it was reported that as the architect, Randall had his plate full.
“Architect Randall is a very busy man these days, what with the duty of completing the new courthouse added to the superintending of the Nichols block. He is about the busiest man in town, yet he apparently enjoys it for the only hitch we have heard him make is the fact that the added work has made it necessary for him to get up before breakfast,” the article says.
The article also noted that Williams was back in town, overlooking the progress of the construction project
for Nichols.
According to the Sept. 16, 1910, paper, Nichols opened up a branch of his supply company at the R. Andersen Ranch on the Cheyenne River, and it was “now selling everything in groceries, grain and stock salt.” The work on the new store in town was “progressing rapidly.”
A few months later, a
“finishing carpenter (was) wanted at once,” according
to an article from Nov. 25, 1910.
Next week, Cash will continue his discussion on the construction of the A.M. Nichols Supply Co.