Discussions

The first couple of weeks of 1916 were the darkest of times for the city of Brandon.  
 
It was mired in a cold snap that saw daytime highs lucky to reach the -20s. World War I raged, leaving hundreds of families dreading the arrival of the telegram informing them of the death of a loved one. On January 12th, the Brandon Train Wreck killed 19 people in the heart of the city.  
 
When it seemed like things couldn't get worse, less than a week later the Syndicate Block burned to the ground, killing four young department store employees.  
 
The Syndicate Block fire will be the focus of my next Winnipeg Free Press column in January 31st. A preview, along with some photos, can be found here: http://westenddumplings.blogspot.ca/2016/01/the-centenary-of-brandons-deadliest-fire.html

Was certainly a dark month in Brandon history. Thank you for your 2 recent contributions mrchristian.

Really enjoy reading these.

I knew about the fire but never knew any of the personal details you have found.  
 
Thanks for your contributions, I always enjoy them

My piece in today's Winnipeg Free Press about Brandon's deadliest fire, the Syndicate Block blaze of January 1916. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/brandons-deadliest-blaze-367131561.html  
 
I wrote about 1,400 words and could have written 1,400 more. In the next day or two I'll post some of that extra stuff I found, but couldn't fit into the story, at my blog. It might be of interest to some folks.

mrchristian - the link you provided doesn't seem to be working. Could you re-post the link please?  
Thanks

Weird.I cut and past it from the address bar. Try this one: https://shar.es/1hR3tF  
 
 
Edited by mrchristian, 2016-01-31 13:10:09

My Free Press column was about 1,400 words but I could have written at least 1,400 more.  
 
Rather than delete the additional information, I instead put it on my blog for people who want more information about Rankin, the fire and the aftermath:  
 
http://westenddumplings.blogspot.ca/2016/02/brandons-ad-rankin-and-syndicate-block.html

My grandmother was one of the employees that jumped out of a window from upstairs to survive the fire,her name was Dorthy Hearn ( Hawkins)

mrchristian said "Weird.I cut and past it from the address bar. Try this one: https://shar.es/1hR3tF       Edited by mrchristian, 2016-01-31 13:10:09"

the new link works

Wow