2023 Spring Newsletter

The stables in the alley were in great danger and it was only by the most herculean efforts that they were saved and the spread of the fire in that direction arrested. Fortunately during the conflagration there was no wind or it would have been more widespread and disastrous. As to the cause of the fire there is complete mys tery although abundant surmises. For a time the commonly accepted theory was that it re sulted from the explosion of a coal oil lamp but those about the hotel assert that there was not a light burning in the building and strong suspi cions of incendiarism was entertained by many. Where all, except the very few thieving whelps who took advantage of the situation to steal sup plies of dry goods and provisions, did nobly per sonal mention would not be possible and when it is known that the entire business rooms were cleared of the mass of their contents in about two hours some idea of the extent of the work and faithfulness of the workers may be formed. The Republican office is now in back rooms of DeBerry’s harness and saddlery establishment where it will be in the future be issued and where our three remaining chairs and one type box will afford a resting place for its friends.

The second floor of the Union Block was occupied by Dr. Floyd, dentist; H. S. Campbell, real estate: Sperry Baker, attorney-at law, M. Klassen, merchant tailor: James Kingsley, police judge, and the Republican of fice and on the third floor were the lodge rooms of the Masons and the Odd Fellows. Most of the important items and records were saved. The material of the Republican office was heavy and difficult to move but with the help of many kind friends we were able to get a large part of our type out of the office. Our presses were gotten downstairs as best they could but were badly damaged in the process. The wooden buildings next Union Block were partially torn away and B. F. Gaylor & Son, dealers in boots and shoes, and R. Moore, bar ber, were compared to hastily move at consider able loss. The frame buildings in the rear of the brick block caught fire and were in blaze. At this time it looked as if there was but little hope of ob taining control of the fire and after the post of fice material and its contents had been well se cured the removal of the Spirit office began. In the removal, the type and material of the office suffered great damage.

Photo Service at the Museum, For some time now, Roger Shipman has been touting the photo services available at the museum. If you watched the news lately there has been reports about artificial intelligence or “AI”. There is software containing A.I. now being used to colorize old black & white images and it has been returning beautiful results. I have been using A.I’ for a few months and it does wonders on old black & white images, it also improves colorslides. We can now digitize 8mm & Super 8 mm movie film which can be transfered to DVDs or viewed on your computer. This is in addition to restoration of photos and video transfer to DVD format We can fix damaged pictures, add a person to a group photo or take someone out. Faded out prints can be brought back and made to look like new. Old negatives, color or black & white can be copied and made into prints. Those old dark “Tin Type” images can be revealed to show a sharp image that can be printed or saved onto computer files. I can copy all sizes of negatives color or black & white from the small 110, 35 mm, 120 and up to 4 x 5 inches. Color slides can be copied and made into color prints or copied onto CDs or USB memory stick to view on your computer.

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