The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1869-07-09
The Fire at BIesckJ0Ot Cytu.

have seldom met warmer reception than
greeted me on my arrival in this busy burg
this morning. After all, there is sort OF
sadness in the welcome. At the hour of 10
last evening, the fendish inccndary piled
his torch to the haymow of stable in the
southeast corner Of the business portion OF
this young city, and Notwithstanding the
early discovery and noble efforts of the peo'
pie, who fiockcd en- mdssc to the scene, the
principal business houses on both sides of
Main street were soon wrapped in flames
and totally consumed in rapid succession.
There was considerable wind blowing from
tho northeast to fan the flames, and every
effort to stay the progress of the destroyer
was unavailing until it reached as far down
~ the "Higgins Corner" on one side, and
the barber shop on the other, when the wind
luckily subsidized, and one more desperate
rally of the people was made, and the Cary
House Block, with some good buildings op-
positc, was saved. Through the politeness
o. Mr.. Simmons, who has been over the
ground carefully, am enabled to give you
complete list Of the losers and losses.
Those who suffered from the entire destruc-
ton of their buildings, and in some instances
the burning of their goods and merchandise,
are as follows:
Smith & Dtatton, Livery Stable, $1,000;
y. II. Newell, store and goods, 81, 500; Frank
Mcconnell, blacksmith shop and dwelling,
$1,000; Aunt Bctsy's house, 500; st. Jo
hotel, J. Is. Wilson, $500; Montana Hide
and Fur Company, $1,000; Smith & Green's
store, $4,000; Z. p. Lindsay, building and
goods, $1,000; +. II. Bill, three buildings,
$500; A. NJ. Hotter, tcncmcnts, $3.50.
The following is list Of losses from dam
age in removal of goods, partial burning and
tearing up Of buildings, ETC., adjacent to the
fire:
W. w. Higgins, $1,000; D. N. Birdscye,
$500; J. H. Quiylcy, $500; Richardson &
Co., 81 600; Cary & Rookie, saloon, 400; NJ.
Mcfarland, billiard saloon, $500: Cary
House, J. B. Wilson, $1,000; John White,
barber, $500; John Hcibcr, $500; f. Mat
lock, $500; Coleman, S4O0; DR.. Bouric, drug
store, $500 Total loss about $500
No doubt whatever is entertained as to its
being the work of All inccndiary; and now
l even hint that this should prove rs an ad-
ditional warning to the good people of Mon
tana in every city, town and camp. to be Oh
the alert, and try to fcrrit out the gang, that
they may be summarily promoted" ere
llolc serious iussrs and ti.,t'~o.;o". oecu'.
so far as Dlackfo City is concerned,
there are many good men suducnIy
to the lower round of the ladder, to enter
upon other long years of honest toll and en-
tcrprise to attain the position they occupied
but yesterday. While it may he said that
there are buildings enough yet standing 10
meet the requirements Of the present busi-
ness of the camp, yet it can also be claimed,
and with great propriety, in my Judgment,
that with the increased developments OF the
rich resources of this portion of Deer Lodge
county as must take place at an carly day in
the future, Blackfoot City must inevitably
grow to double its former bigness, and he.
come one of the most flourishing towns of
the Territory.
suppose that most of those who are now
thrown out of homes and business by the
fire, at least such as arc not wholly crippled
or ruined, will resume their respective opcr-
ations ere long.
Although there is an unprecedented scar
city of water throughout this section, Us
we'll as on the east side, yet may mention
the fact that the saving of Blackfoot from
entire destruction is alone attributable to the
good fortune of having hundred inches
of water running through an open ditch
down through the town, immediately alja-
cent TO the burning district. .-...,.