Disastrous Fire At Slaughterville 1914

Fire was always a threat in the small towns of western Kentucky. The following article is from the Henderson Daily Gleaner, Thursday, 15 June 1914.

The little town of Slaughterville was visited by a very disastrous fire Wednesday morning, which for a while threatened to destroy the whole town.

Five buildings, three of brick and two frame, were totally destroyed.

The fire started in the barbershop of C.M. Dickerson about 2 o'clock Wednesday morning and spread so rapidly that the efforts of the volunteer firemen were fruitless and very little merchandise or household goods were saved.

The origin of the fire is still unknown, as very few people were on the streets at that time. most of the buildings were covered by insurance. The list of the buildings destroyed and their occupants is as follows:
C.M. Dickerson, barber shop, $200 insurance on furniture. W.P. Cosby, who owned the building, carried no insurance.

O.F. Coffman, general merchandise store, $2000 insurance.

Masonic hall, over Coffman's store, $500 insurance.

Oakley restaurant, $1000 insurance.

White restaurant, $350 insurance.

Prather Hotel, occupied by Kelly Gill, $450 insurance.