The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-06-27
The Burning of Idaho City Idaho Ter.
ritOry--FuIl PRrficuIars-.LOAs over
a Million OF DOIIars, etc.
[FrOm the Idaho Statesman, May 20.J

| a MAAAAAOh VI DOAahEHs CACs
From the Idaho Statesman, May 201
Idaho City was completely destroyed
night before last by one of the most de-
structiYe fires that has ever visited the
mining regions of the western slope. The
whole town was consumed from Besr Run
to Commercial street, which is nearly TO
the foot of Main, and from the Bluff 10
MOore's creek, leaving nothing standing
but g few shsnties skirting the town.
The fire was, without doubt the work of
an incendiary, as the city had been fired
several different times within the last few
days; but each time fortunately discovered
in season to be extinguished. The flames
spread with astonishing rapidity. The
town was composed Of buildings inside ex-
clusively of pine inch boards, and in some
cases shakes, covered with cotton lining
and paper, to which was added the usual
intismable coating of lamp smoke, so that
il burned almost ike 8 train of powder.
II is said that in two hours from the
time the alarm was given, the whole burnt
district was a smoking field Of ashes and
cinders. All attemps TO describe the con-
fusion and CONSERVATION Of the people are
fruitless. The spread of the fire was so
iopAA tAhs IL bAS SIoab mhiOElbl VI H.
stances there wss no time TO save anything
from the wreck. Added to tho terrible
destruction of property was the most dis
graceful system of thieving and robbing
that can b~eimsgined. In fact it is gener-
ally believed that the fire was set fer the
purpose of plumber.
As soon as the alsrm became general,
thousands of men could be seen running
in all directions, with one or two sacks Of
-four, 8 box of candles, q bundle of cloth
ing, or anything that suited them. One
man, who witnessed the scene, remarked
that it was stealing on the grandest scale
he ever dreamed of. A band of rufisns
of hundred or two would assist in clear
ing 8 store Of its contents and land them
AZ a ssfs distance from the burning build
ings. when at the word "reSdy" each man
would seize as much as he could carry and
make off With 1t. 1t was q perfect revel
of larceny. One of our merchants,
who had q very large lot
Of -four stored there, had succeeded in re-
moving it out of the way of the FIRE, but
had TO go TO the store for 8 few minutes,
found, on returning to his pile, that about
three hundred bummers were Juggling it
away, and they continued till it was sill
gone. But few persons have arrived from
there since the confsgrstioD, and there
has been no mail or expEe3 consequently
we have been able TO learn but few par
t~iculars. Every hotel in the city was des-
troyed, slfo the Forrest Thester.
We understand the county records of
Gotse county were saved. Fire proof cell
lars did much TO mitigate the losses Of mer-
chants, though it is said that all the cellars
did not stand the fire.
A gentleman who left there yesterday
morning, Gays that men were already clear
ing away the burning brands to make
room for new buildings. Coffee was for
ssls at different places at fifty cents q cup,
ard small rolls Of bread at 8 dollar each.
Before this time a new town is ~springing
up on the site of what was once Idaho
city.
No correct estimate Of the loss can be
made, but we have heard it set down at
over 8 million dollars.