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Winoka Lodge (Camp Winoka)

The Winoka Lodge fire Fire ruins historic lodge, damages 2 apartment units
 
by Jack King

 
       Fire marshals continued their investigation today into a blaze that destroyed the historic Winoka Lodge, an old farmhouse just east of the old Highway 65 bridge, at Lake Springfield.
       The fire, which may have been a case of arson, inspectors say, was one of three major blazes battled Sunday and early today by city firemen. Cigarettes were blamed as causes for the other two, both at apartment buildings.
       No injuries were reported.
       Concrete steps and a brick fireplace are about all that remains to the house, also known as the old Schweitzer place.
       The unoccupied, three-story structure was engulfed in flames when Springfield Fire Unit 7 arrived at 2:25 a.m. Sunday.
       The house and property is jointly owned by Mr. And Mrs. Lee Schweitzer, 2608 Glendale, and Jewell Schweitzer, 2550 South Luster, and Robert Fred Schweitzer, 637 South Fremont.
       * * *
       Built about 1890, the structure once served as a hunter's club.
       One of the early owners of the property, which originally included 54 acres and 11 springs, was Dr. Edward M. Shepard, who taught biology and geology at Drury College from 1878 to 1908.
       He sold one-quarter shares to Judge James R. Vaughn, Judge Jeremiah Cravens and Marcellus Holbrook. Cravens and Holbrook later sold their shares to R. W. Stewart and Dr. D. F. Finel.
       The name Winoka comes from the Osage Indian word for "great spririt," and flint in the area was used for arrowheads.
       In later years, an arrowhead motif was followed in improvements and the works from an arrowhead-shaped fountain were donated to Drury.
       The original property included an island in the James River, which was taken for construction of a highway bridge.
       The Schweitzer family purchased the property in 1935. It had not been occupied in several years.
       A pool and bath house are located on the grounds in the immediate vicinity of the house.
       Firemen from Station 7, along with 6 and 9, also were sent to a fire this morning, at 4:52.
       According to reports, a cigarette possibly was the origin of a blaze that damaged the apartment of L. Roberts, 2304 South Fremont.
       Firemen apparently were able to confine the fire to the one unit, where a carpet, wall and night table were heavily damaged.
       The apartments reportedly are owned by William Smith, 1739 South National.
       * * *
       About seven hours earlier, firemen fought another apartment blaze at 773 South Avenue, which damaged much of a unit occupied by Peggy Wilmes and Kathy Sam.
       The two were in the living room of their apartment when a cigarette which was dropped between the cushion of a sofa started a fire, firemen said. When the occupants were unable to control the blaze themselves, the fire department was called and Stations 1, 3, and 6 responded.
       "It's so scary," Miss Wilmes said, weeping as she clutched her cat, Karma. The pet and two others were rescued unharmed by firefighters while the two young women waited.
       Some grass fires also were battled over the weekend in the area.
       Firemen from the Logan-Rogersville and Westside county units, with help from Boy Scouts, fought a Sunday afternoon grass fire between Division and Mill Street, west of Mo. 125.
       Sparks from a trash fire were suspected of causing the blaze.