The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1869-05-07

Build fre-proof structures IL you pos
sibly can. This should impress itself
upon every properly owner in the busi-
ness part of Helena. There is no secu-
rity for wooden houses OF their contents,
aud it is almost impossible To obtain IN =
surance at any entertainable rate. This
time nearly all the goods were saved
from destruction. The ere started
in remote quarter, and there was but
little wind. giving merchants an oppors
tunity TO remove stocks to fire-proofs,
But suppose it had started at
the corner of Bridge and Main streets,
with a heavy gale down the gulch, with
no water in the ditch, as is the case six
months in the year; with no Fire Ems
gine, as we have not, and are not likely
TO have; with no Fire Company or ap-
paratus, as there is as likely not TO be
as TO be, what proportion OF goods could
have been saved along Main street 2
Evidently very small. and their destfuc.
tion would have been added to that of the
buildings. The ground is now clear, or
as yet encountered only by temporary
structures. On the west side of Main
street there will be built, at least, twelve
stone or brick buildings. at an estimated
ten that may be built of wood; but ON
the east side of Main street there haze
been only six fre-proof buildings deter
mined upon. at an estimated cost of
$4,000 or SS5,000. leaving sixteen lots,
on nearly all of which it is contempt ted
To erect wooden buildings. On the west
side the few frames sand wicbed bet ~een
substantial stores will be comparatively
safe except from fires originating in
themselves, but on the east side, the
large cluster of frames between Gans *
kleiDs and John Mings', will be en-
dangered by a fire in either. Beside,
jackson street, in the rear. will be built
up with wood, and will be n finder train
to carry fire either way between tllis
Main street cluster aud the mass of
frames on Broadway.
There is not only "A disposition to re-
build, but TO rebuild immediately, in
time to be ready for the arrival ot the
steamers goods-5ut would it not be
well to- be a little surer, even If it me-
oessitates going slower Labor is
enormously high; mechanics scarce for
the amount of work TO do. There will
be 3 easing up in this respect gradu-
ally. with the influx of people from 9th
er localities attracted by high wages.
How much more will it cost 10 erect
brick building TWO months hence with
mutual walls, than it will To put up
good frame at present rates. Brick il
the cheapest, speediest built, best. and
Will before many weeks be the most
plentiful fire proof material in the mar
ket. For the enduring qualities of Hell
enH brick compare the chimneys with
the exposed stone in the burnt district.
For its economy calculate the difference
between Stone in the wall at $500 per
perch. lumber at S50-and carpenters
asking $15 per dsy-snd brick in the
wall of three story buildings at $32 per
NJ. The clay and wood IL abundant.
and at hand. and already several compa-
nies, employing nearly fifty men. are
engaged in manufacturing, them con-
venisnt TO town. 4 frame in a mining
camp is a bubble; a stone or brick is a
substantially, and with proper roof and
81 utters is safe from all external fires.
There are many considerations of pub
lie and individual good inducing prop-
eTty holders to seek stability, perma-
nency and safety in their buildings. Bet
ter wait few weeks longer and have a
structure that will be an insurance to
itself and contents, be saleable at good
figures when frames are distrustsd and
avoided, be worthily characteristic of a
Territory whose first cabins, like the
placer diggings. are ephemeral, but
whose metropolis buildings like the
exhaustless resources of field aud mine,
are grand. permanent, and attractive.