Tragedy strikes our tight-knit community

On Monday evening, March 16, my wife and I had finished dinner and were settling in to watch a recording of the national news when my phone rang. The number and name identified the caller as the general manager for our newspaper in Gatesville. I could not think of a “newspaper” reason for her to call that evening, and my heart stopped for a beat, wondering if something was wrong with her or her family.

When I pushed the button to start the conversation, Janice was out of breath and spoke very rapidly. She exclaimed, “I just got a call that the newspaper office is on fire and smoke is coming out of the bail bonds office next door. I am heading there right now. I will call you when I know something.”

By SAM HOUSTON, Hood County News and Gatesville Messenger

With that, she hung up to continue her trip to the Gatesville Square and the offices of the Gatesville Messenger. I slid back in my chair and took a deep breath. I had an intuition this was not going to end well.

My wife started asking me questions as she had overheard my conversation and all I could say was, “I don’t know yet. The fire just started and I am waiting to find out more. I’m not sure if I will have to go to Gatesville tonight or not.”

My mind raced to all the possible scenarios and consequences.

Maybe five more minutes passed, and Janice called again and simultaneously I received a video she had sent. It displayed the front of the Gatesville Messenger building and the buildings that adjoin it on either side. It was clear there was smoke coming out of the bail bonds building located to the south of the Messenger. Pictures speak a thousand words.

The sound of Janice’s voice revealed someone under severe stress. It trembled and she spoke in quick gasps, trying to describe the situation. She repeated multiple times, “Oh my God, Sam, the fire keeps getting bigger.”

I was advised that no employees were in the building, so I was not concerned about the safety of any staff member, but then my concern shifted to the Messenger building and the square itself. I instructed Janice to call me back in 15 minutes while I called the owner of the paper to give him the news. Time was short and everything was moving very quickly. Do I jump in the truck and drive the 85 miles to Gatesville? If I do, do I need to take clothes and plan on spending the night? What is my schedule for tomorrow and what changes to my day am I going to need to make? What good am I going to be able to do when I get there? How am I going to break the news to the owner? What thoughts are running through the minds of my staff?

I made the call to ownership, and after learning all the staff were safe, their concern was for the square and the people of Gatesville. He told me to keep him apprised and then I got another phone call from Janice.

Flames were coming through the roof of the Messenger, and the fire had spread down the block to the historic Leaird’s furniture store. Firefighters from all across the county were on the scene and pouring water into the blaze, but it was obvious the firefighters were fighting a losing battle. The flames got higher, and concerns moved from the three buildings on the west side of the square to prevent the fire from spreading to historic Coryell County Courthouse and the rest of the square.

Finally, I instructed my staff to go home, there was nothing they could do but leave it in the hands of the firefighters. They told me there was no reason for me to drive to Gatesville that night, and I agreed. I would make the drive the next day, knowing sadly that daybreak would bring a new day for the Messenger and the entire courthouse square.

Sleep was very sporadic that night. I remember being thankful that no one had been hurt, and the fire had been contained to the west side of the square. I pondered insurance and what the coverage might be, what had started the fire, and all the tasks before me working my way through the effects of the fire. I worried about my staff and what they might be feeling. Janice has worked for more than 30 years at the Messenger, starting at age 17, and has never had another job. What were her thoughts that night? What was our owner feeling as he contemplated his investment going up in smoke?

When I arrived in Gatesville very early the next morning, I met my staff and attempted to comfort them. Looking at the scene, it was obvious all three buildings on the west side were a total loss along with all of the contents. It was a real gut check, and it was hard to truly understand all the emotions going through my mind.

I was thankful for the wonderful work of the firefighters and their dedication to service. I received call after call from fellow newspaper professionals wondering how they could help. The mayor, the county judge and the school superintendent all spoke to either me or the staff and expressed their sorrow for our loss and offered whatever help they might be able to provide. There were strangers who came up and hugged my neck and told me they were sorry this had happened. I know Janice’s phone blew up with people calling expressing their heartfelt sympathy and concerns.

It was obvious from what I saw and what I read on social media that the entire community had suffered a real kick to the gut. The look of Gatesville had changed in a flash, and what once had been landmarks on the west side of the square no longer were there.

The Messenger has reported the news in Coryell County for 145 years and is one of the oldest newspapers in Texas. It reported the events of the town, the county and the people who lived there. It has been at council meetings, ball games and graduations. It has respectfully reported the people who died there. It has been as much a part of the community as any other landmark in the city and maybe even more so.

This is all too new to know what the future holds. The message today is understanding how fast our world can change and how things we value and love can disappear in an instant. Enjoy your friends and family. Treasure all that have slipped from the present to the role of cherished memories.

As we go forward, please support your community newspaper!

Thought for the day: Look at this as a clean slate. We are moving to a new place to make new memories while forever holding tight to our honored past.

Until next time...I will keep ridin’ the storm out!

This column was originally published March 28 in the Gatesville Messenger.