C.H. Rampton's Store and Opera House Burned
Davis County Clipper, 26 February 1909, page 1
The Most Destructive Fire that ever Occurred in Davis County --- Over $20,000 Worth of Property Destroyed --- $22,000 Insurance.
C.H. Rampton's store and opera house in Bountiful were completely destroyed by fire this afternoon. It is the most destructive fire that has ever occurred in Davis county.
The loss is probably more than $20,000. The building cost $14,000 when it was erected nearly twenty years ago, and contractors say it could not be replaced today for $20,000.
The stock of goods in the store was probably worth in the neighborhood of $10,000. Most of the goods were saved but no doubt were considerably damaged.
Nothing could be saved from the opera house. Scenery, piano, chairs and everything went. Nothing remains now of the building except four tall walls. The walls stood the fire remarkably well. The top of the side walls at the rear lean out a little and the front wall is out on the northwest corner. The walls will probably have to be taken down at least to the first story. The heat may have damaged the walls so that they will be no good at all. Experts will have to examine them.
Mr. Rampton carried $22,000 worth of insurance on the building and goods.
The origin of the fire is unknown. A number of people, some three or four blocks away, heard three reports in succession resembling explosions. O. G. Plant, who was painting his new shop on the next lot north, noticed smoke coming out of the roof. He and Hyrum Sessions and John Thurgood, who were doing carpenter work on the same building, rushed over to investigate.
An attempt was made to go inside of the upstairs with the hose, but the room was so dense with smoke that nothing could be done. Then a ladder was placed against the back wall and the hose applied through a back window, but it was soon evident that the building could not be saved so every attention was paid to carrying out the goods and to saving the adjoining buildings. A steady stream of water was kept flowing on the roof of Holbrook-Smedley's furniture store and Albert Burningham's barber shop, also on Joseph Knighton's bicycle shop and Frank Yurka's tailor shop. Mr. Burningham's barber shop finally pulled out into the street.
An immense crowd gathered. People came from all parts of the town and Centreville. The smoke could be seen coming out of the roof down by Thomas Argyle's near the D. & R. G Ry. The crowd worked like heroes. Some were very venturesome and took great chances on their lives.
It was all over in about two hours