05/23/2026
Fire struck the north side of the square on January 21, 1896. The following article appeared in the Miner and Mechanic on January 25, 1896:
Five Buildings Burned Down.
"The north side of the Square met with a blessing of fire on Tuesday night. The fire burst out suddenly about 1 o'clock a.m. in the rear part of Ames & Robbins' grocery, and within a few moments was beyond control, and rushing right and left through the old tinderbox, lapping up cans of coal oil and scattering flames right and left, little could be done in the adjoining buildings. The old courthouse built around 1870 - the Benton building - occupied by Geo. R. Terry, jeweler, they managed to clear out most of his goods.
The Einstein building - occupied by Ames & Robbins - very little was taken out. Mrs. Annie Williams, millinery, most of the stock was removed; also J. J. Williams, boot and shoe stock, most of it.
Matters & Mason, jewelers, also removed their stock.
Rice Grocery Co., stock; perhaps one-half saved. Insurance $750.
J. J. Williams' insurance was $600.
Matters & Mason, insurance $1,000.
Ames & Robbins, insurance $1,300, pretty closely covers loss.
George R. Terry, Insurance $600.
H. M. Rice's buildings were insured for $400.
The fire department easily kept the flames from extending to adjoining buildings.
The insurance nearly covers the losses. The Benton building insurance had expired but a short time previous to the fire.
Mr. Terry has already opened his store in the Fishel building; J. J. Williams in the Yates brick on Wood street; Rice Gro. Co. in the Abbott block on Spring street; Matters-Mason have slipped across the square into the Wills fine new brick.
The note of preparations for rebuilding has already sounded. J. T. McElhany has option for a ten year lease on the Rice Corner for a 3 story brick with steam heating and elevator. A splendid building with all modern appointments to cost $20,000, to be ready for occupancy January 1897. Ben Einstein will certainly rebuild; the property is too valuable to lie unoccupied. Frank Miller and Fannie May Benton will also rebuild. We note that Robt. Jackson is already making figures in the Greer Bros. are happy with their 300,000 brick. This will be a big building year for Neosho, a duplicate of 1884."
Shown in this phot are the five buildings, which were destroyed by fire in 1896. This photo was taken in the late 1880s. The tower on the right hand side is the administrative building of Scarritt Collegiate Institute.
From Neosho, Missouri The Early Years Part 1 by Larry A James (c) 2015 All rights reserved
