Marker Text
Hall County Sheriff Wedgwood received a telegram from W.J. Burger of Doniphan on November 27, 1887, informing him that half the town was in ashes. The previous evening residents of Doniphan reported hearing a small explosion. Upon investigation, they found nothing amiss and returned to their homes. A second, larger explosion 45 minutes later brought out residents who found the post office engulfed in flames. Without a local fire department, residents were powerless as the fire spread throughout the business district destroying the post office, bank, grocery store, millinery shop, butcher shop, and general store.
The sheriff found evidence of a botched robbery. Thieves had used explosives to access the post office safe, which held $200 in currency. $200-$300 in postage stamps, and registered letters. When the first charge failed to open the safe door, they used a larger charge. This blew the door over 15 feet and ignited the contents of the safe, leaving the thieves empty-handed. No one was arrested for the crime that caused $5,000 in damages. Doniphan’s business district was rebuilt on the same site.
Location
Southeast corner of W Plum and S 2nd Streets, Doniphan, NE. To view the marker’s location, CLICK HERE.
