August 31, 1894

Today, as we write this, it is Friday August 31, 1923, and the minds of many of our people are turning back to another day, just twenty-nine years ago today, and that was Friday also. Friday, August 31st, 1894. During the hour of noon, the cry was sounded "Fire". The days before Roberts had been celebrating. A great Woodman picnic had been held here. That day Roberts was placed in sack cloth and ashes. From the ashes has sprung what is now the real Roberts. Fire is a great calamity to any community but frequently the calamity proves a blessing, not to the person who suffers the losses but to the town that springs up in the place of the one destroyed.
This was not the first great fire in Roberts. There was one when the town was first started that probably was as great in proportion to the value of the town as was the great fire of 1894. This fire of 1873 was one of which we have been unable to get much particulars except that the business part of town which had been in the block now occupied by the Star Garage, poultry house, harness shop, etc. was entirely wiped out and was rebuilt on Green Street making that the main street instead of Main Street as named.

--Roberts Herald. 5 September 1923.

Early Roberts Businesses

In 1871, George H. Thompson and George Lyman put up a hardware store where George Ensign's garage now stands. William Thompson put up a drug store beside it. Flora & Newman put up a general store on the Anderson Bank corner, facing west. Anderson & Montelius put up the store that William Thompson's poultry business now occupies. Haling & Scott put up an implement building where Dietterle's store now stands. In 1873 fire destroyed the Thompson and Lyman hardware and the William Thompson drug store. I came to town and picked up nails at one cent a pound.Flora & Newman turned their store around so that it faced the north where Whorrall's restaurant now stands. Thompson & Lyman built a new store where Tarvin's store now stands. William Thompson built his drug store where Foster Brothers store now stands.

--Roberts Herald.  1 May 1935.  Bela Foster.  Early Days in the Town of Lyman.

1871
Thompson and Lyman Hardware Store
William Thompson Drugstore
Flora & Newman General Store
Anderson & Montelius
Haling & Scott Implements

1873 Fire Rebuilds
Flora & Newman
Thompson & Lyman
Thompson Drug Store

--Paxton Record.  19 June 1873.

The 1873 Fire

Roberts was visited by a serious fire early yesterday morning, which seriously impedes the progress and prosperity of that flourishing young village. The firms burned out were Thompson and Lyman dealers in lumbar, agricultural implements, drugs and medicines, together with the Post Office and Dr. Cassingham's medical library, and Bushors' harness and saddle shop. Mr. G. H. Thompson owned the three buildings destroyed, also a barn in the rear of these buildings... which was burned. The loss is estimated at from $8,000 to $10,000; no insurance.
The fire was discovered early in the morning, just after a train on the G. C. & S. road had passed and is supposed to have originated from a spark from the engine.
The families of G. H. Thompson and Mr. Bushor lived in the buildings destroyed, and were burned out, losing everything, even to their clothing.
Mr. Thompson with true western energy will commence at once to rebuild.

--Paxton Record. 19 June 1873.

Burned out:
Thompson & Lyman
Post Office
Dr. Cassingham's Medical Library
Bushors Harness and Saddle Shop