In 1935, Miss Maxine Haun, a reporter for the Ridgeway Journal, was hard work at her desk writing copy when she heard the fire bells sound. Determined to get to the fire to see it for herself so she could report on it, she asked Sam Spence where the fire was located. “The telephone operator says it is at your home”, he replied. She ran the few blocks to her house to do what she could to help save the family’s valuables.
Miss Haun’s mother had been alerted to the fire by William Waddliove. The fire had started on the roof of the house and was caused by a defective flue. The family were able to save some of their belongings. Although the fire only damaged the roof and rafters, there was considerable water damage. The home was owned by the Ridgeway Building & Loan association and was the former home of Maude Neff and It was covered by insurance, but the family’s belongings were uninsured. They found other accommodations until the home could be repaired. After a bit of research, I believe this house still stands on the southeast corner of Main and Spruce Streets. (Ridgeway Journal, April 11, 1935 — no byline so there is no way of knowing if she wrote the article herself or not.)
