Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Eighteenth Year - Number 36
Marlin, Texas, Wednesday, September 25, 1907
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COAL IS BURNING.
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FIRE STARTS IN SUPPLY STORED
IN SCHOOL HOUSE BASE-
MENT.
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Believed to Have Been on Fire Since
Saturday.
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       Fire was discovered in the basement of the public school building this morning.
       The fire is in the coal supply and is believed to have been burning since Saturday morning.  It was started by a chemical combustion and has been burning slowly.  Upon the discovery of the fire the school was dismissed by Supt. Doughty.  The fire department was notified, but on account of the nature of the fire could render little assistance.  The basement is filled with gas, produced by the coal being damp when put in, and this renders its removal very difficult.
       The work of removal was begun at once, but is rather slow as the coal must be brought out with wheelbarrows.  A number of hands, all that is available, were put to work immediately.
       Forty tons were stored in the basement and in order to allay the dust arising from the coal, it was sprinkled with water.  It is believed that this may have something to do with the combustion.
       Later:  The fire is now entirely under control.  School will resume Wednesday morning.

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for
printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas