Historical Landmark

HISTORICAL LANDMARK

IS BEING TORN DOWN ON NORTH MAIN STREET.

How Randolph Rogers the Sculptor Behaved at a Fire in This Building Years Ago.

The brick building on N. Main st. near Miller ave., being torn down by Frank Pardon, is an old land mark and has quite a history. In these later years it was owned by Charles Kitson, deceased, and used for many years as a saloon. It became well known on account of the many sudden deaths which are charged to have occurred there. The building must have been built nearly 60 years ago. It was then known as the Lyman block. It was once occupied by the Argus office. A. A. Terry in speaking of the old building told of a little incident that took place at a fire. The building caught fire in the second story. At that time Mr. Terry was visiting with his friend Randolph Rogers, afterwards the sculptor, who was clerking for John Pettee, dealer in West lndia goods. When they heard the cry of fire they rushed around, Randolph Rogers climbed onto a beam that was in the rear of the building. Two men handed up a big tub of water that was there. When it reached the roof it somehow tilted over pouring the water down upon the men. Rogers declared it was an accident. Mr. Terry at this time was employed by the Michigan Central at a salary of $1.25 a day payable in state scrip which was worth about 25 cents on the dollar. His duties consisted of doing the leveling for bridge timbers and the strips on which the strap rails were laid. Mr. Terry explained that West India goods consisted of pickled and bottled goods which were imported.