CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — As it has in the wake of Mississippi River floods, Clarksville bounced back from a calamitous 1901 fire.

There miraculously were no deaths or injuries, but 14 businesses and five homes covering the block bordered by First, Second, Howard and Washington streets were destroyed.

Some nearby structures survived, but were damaged so badly they had to be torn down. Others were saved by the united effort of residents.

A blaze the Clarksville Banner called the “most disastrous in the history of this city” was noticed around 10:50 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.

The Banner said it started in a storage room at the Kelly and Garrett barber shop along Front Street, but other newspapers claimed it erupted in the basement of the nearby Cash and Marvin grocery store.

“The fire engine and bucket brigade were on the spot in a few minutes, but the flames had gained such headway that efforts to subdue the fire at this point (were) useless, and attention was turned to saving adjoining buildings,” the Banner reported.

Weary residents stood side-by-side hoisting buckets by hand as the engine pumped water from the river.

“All living or having business in the doomed block turned their attention to their goods and the streets were soon blocked with household furniture, dry goods, groceries, etc.,” the Louisiana Daily Press offered.

In addition to the barber shop and grocery store, the fire destroyed City Bakery, Meloan’s Meat Market, the Collins Hotel, the Jacoby and Cochran millinery shops, Norman’s harness supply, Lizzie Tipton’s dress shop, Wirick Brothers grocery, Silliman’s carpentry and a grocery, dry goods and clothing store owned by James Middleton.

The bucket brigade saved Nicklin’s drug store, Citizens Bank, Veto Tailor shop, Johnston’s millinery and The Racket shop. The International Order of Odd Fellows Hall was considered a loss. The Masonic Temple reported damage, but was able to save its Bible. Buildings on the north side of Howard Street had broken windows and blistered paint.

By 1 a.m. Aug. 2, it was all over. Damage was estimated at $50,000 to $75,000 — $1.5 million to $2.2 million today.

Talk quickly turned to a cause. The Daily Press said “the general supposition is that it was the work of an incendiary,” but did not offer evidence.

“What started the blaze has never been discovered and perhaps never will,” the Banner said. “A thousand and one causes can start a fire, and always in places where least expected.”

Displaced homeowners moved in with friends or family, and businesses quickly made arrangements for new quarters. The only grocery left in town, Mantiply’s, had to “employ several additional clerks” to help with the extra customers, the Banner said.

Among the rubble there was at least a bit of humor. Wirick Brothers left its ad in the Banner blank for several weeks before teasing that customers should watch the space when the grocery re-opened. Gawkers couldn’t resist taking a look.

“Hundreds from surrounding town and country have been here to view the ruins of the burned block,” the Banner observed.

Within a week, the community was looking forward.

“Business is beginning to resume its normal condition and rebuilding has begun,” the Banner said, adding that “out of the ashes of the old there shall rise the walls of the new, stronger, grander and more durable than before.”

Call it small town ingenuity or the optimistic outlook of the era, but Clarksville was not about to let the fire define its future. Banner Editor C.B. Gilbert was one of those who didn’t miss an encouraging beat.

“Let her people not be content with rebuilding her as good as she was before, but determined to lay the foundation of a growth which shall be constant through the years to come,” he wrote. “In the new Clarksville, let there be unity, harmony, pleasant business and social relations, and in a few years the calamity of today will be a dim recollection only of the past.”

About the featured image: Since its merchandise had been destroyed by fire the night before, Wirick Brothers grocery left its Aug. 2, 1901, ad in the Clarksville Banner blank. It would be September before product specials would return.