Grayson County TXGenWeb

Collinsville Times
July 19, 1918

Flames Sweep West Busines Section of Collinsville
Fire of unknown origin destroyed the west section of Collinsville early last Friday night. The stores belonging to W.P. Strickland, Ragsdale & Varley, F.P. Varley, J.H. Baker and E.H. Hood's blacksmith shop were destroyed by the flames.
The stock of goods carried by Ragsdale and Varley was valued at about $1,500.00 with $1,500.00 of insurance.
The stock of implements, Buggies and Wagons belonging to F.P. Varley was valued at $7,000.00 and $2,000.00 of insurance.
All the fixtures of J.H. Baker were removed from the cold drink stand.
The feed store of W.P. Strickland was valued $3,000.00 and $2,000.00 insurance.
The blacksmith shop beloinging to E.H. Hood was valued at $3,000.00 with no insurance.
All of the buildings belonged to F.P. Varley and were valued at $5,000.00 were practically covered by insurance.
Collinsville Bucket Brigade just as usual did excellent work and soon had the fire under control. It was thought for a while the Post Office would burn and everything together with the fixtures were removed from the building, but it was saved.
Someone called the Whitesboro and Tioga fire departments and they were quick to respons. They arrived minutes later and ready to assist our boys. But the fire was under control by this time.
The entire loss is estimated at $24,000.00