ISHPEMING — In the early hours of Jan. 4, 1912, both the Miners’ Bank in Ishpeming and the Negaunee State Bank were damaged by fire.

“Telephone wires came in contact with a high-tension electric wire, and both the Miners’ National bank building here and the State bank building, Negaunee, in which the Marquette County Telephone company’s exchanges were located were set ablaze. The fires broke out at about the same time.” (Mining Journal, January 4, 1912)

A newspaper article some days later shed more light on the cause of the fire.

“The guy wire which fell across the trolley and the lead cable might have been hanging loose after 12 o’clock the night before the fire. When the engineer at the powerhouse of the Marquette County Gas and Electric company turned on his power at 5:45 a.m. to start the street cars, the first bit of current was sent through the central offices.” (Mining Journal, January 8, 1912)

The current sent through the telephone wires went to both Ishpeming and Negaunee and because parts of the telephone apparatus were made with wood, fires began in both buildings.

“Miss Evelyn Pepin, the night operator in the Ishpeming exchange of the Marquette County Telephone company, which is located in the second story of the Miners’ National bank building, heard no report such as follows strokes of lightening during thunderstorms. There was nothing to announce anything had happened until she became that the room was filling with smoke and that something very closely approaching fire was observable in one corner of the exchange room. Immediately she sounded and alarm, and with much promptness the fire department responded.” (Iron Ore, January 6, 1912)

The story was different in Negaunee.

“Miss Anna McAuliffe was the night operator. She was sleeping on a cot between the switchboard and the cable board. When the contact between the broken guy wire and the cable occurred all the numbers on the switchboard dropped, awakening her. According to her description, everything “sizzled” with the heavy current and sparks jumped through all the apparatus, until the entire circuit was burned out. “ (Mining Journal, January 4, 1912)

Both fires were difficult to fight.

“The firemen yesterday said that the fire was the worst that they have had to contend with in years, at the time they were called out it was twenty-six below zero and it was difficult for them to remain at work any length of time. Several streams of water were thrown and their clothes soon became water soaked and frozen to their bodies.” (Mining Journal, January 4, 1912)

“It was soon discovered that the fire was between the roofs, there being a double one there the purpose of which was to prevent the thawing of the snows and the freezing and thawing that combine to make the ordinary flat roof troublesome.” “The windows in front, that the firemen supposed were for reaching between these decks, proved to be false, merely a piece of circular glass behind which was the solid brick wall.” “As it was it took a long time to get the water where the fire was confined. It was not until the fire had eaten through the upper roof that the hose could be directed where it produced the best results.” (Iron Ore, January 6, 1912)

“The Negaunee firemen did excellent work in the first few minutes and soon had the flames well in hand. It was thought that the fire had been confined to the rear of the building. At about half past seven, however, the flames broke out in another part of the building.” “Leaking gas mains caused the spread of the fire. When the flames broke out in the front of the building the necessity of using every available man was felt and nearly fifty men went to work. After the front part started to burn the structure was doomed. Before the gas could be shut off the entire interior of the building was practically eaten out. The roof had crashed in, nearly burying a crew of firemen.” (Mining Journal, January 4, 1912)

Once the fires had been extinguished, the job of assessing the damage began. The two telephone exchanges came under scrutiny. “The Marquette County telephone company manager, Albert Ludington, of Ishpeming, is still undecided as to what will be done for the Negaunee subscribers. At present, the system in both Negaunee and Ishpeming is out of commission and an entirely new set of apparatus will be needed to reestablish the Negaunee central office.” (Mining Journal, Negaunee Department, January 5, 1912)

“Ishpeming and Negaunee people have greatly missed the Marquette County Telephone service since the fires of Wednesday morning, and when the service is resumed the telephone will be more thoroughly appreciated than ever before. More than 1,300 telephones in Ishpeming and Negaunee are out of commission.”

“The ends of the cables leading to the central station, in the Miners’ bank building, were burned off, and the condition of the remainder of the cables will not be known until each wire is tested out separately. The cables will be connected up temporarily as soon as possible, and as the switchboard was not damaged, it is expected that some of the telephones will be in use within a few days.” (Mining Journal, Ishpeming Department, January 5, 1912)

“The damage consists of a roof that is all gone, practically, and the wetting of the walls, furniture, fixtures and everything in the building. The interior was handsomely finished and decorated. Of course this is all spoiled. A hole was drilled through the lower floor, which is of cement, to let the water into the basement where it found its way into the sewer.” (Iron Ore, January 6, 1912)

Despite the missing roof, in Ishpeming, the banking business was soon back to normal. “The business of the Miners’ bank will be resumed in its headquarters this morning. The rooms dried out much quicker yesterday than was expected, and the place was thoroughly cleaned. On Thursday Mr. Miner did not think it possible to get back into the bank before Monday morning, but it was decided at the closing hours last evening to resume business there today. The employees were at a disadvantage in doing their work in the Western Union Telegraph company’s office, as the room is very small.” (Mining Journal, January 5, 1912)

In addition to the bank and the telephone exchange, other tenants sustained damage. “On the upper floors of the Miners’ bank building, in addition to the telephone exchange, there were the law offices of Young and Bell, where a splendid library was badly damaged. The offices of Hans Gunderson and Michael Kennedy met with similar treatment.” (Iron Ore, January 6, 1912) For Young and Bell, this would be the second time in six years they had to replace books in their law library.

Because of the close proximity of the Jenks block, several businesses in that building sustained damage including the Ishpeming Club, Henry Harwood’s business, the Ruez brokerage office and the L.W. Atkins clothing store.

The Mitchell building in Negaunee, which housed the Negaunee State Bank would need to be rebuilt and tenants on the second floor also sustained losses. Sadly, the Miners’ bank building would be gutted by fire in 1914. The building built at that time still stands as part of the Iron Range Insurance Agency.