Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-06-14
A Destructive CONFLAaRA.
TION.

Only yesterday we had q a lengthy
item descriptive Of the good and eff
cient condition Of the entire appa-
ratus and everything else belonging to
our Fire Department, stating the same
to be better prepared than ever before
to contend against contiagration. That
such was the case Is pretty conclusively
proven by the good and very efficient
work done this morning.
THE FIRE
was evidently the work Of an incen-
diary. as 1t was kindled In an unoccu-
pied building ut the upper end Of town,
back of the Eclipse mill, formerly
occupied by Mrs. 0'Neil as a lodging
house. and the whole interior was on
fire before 1t was discovered, and the
flames bursting out on all sides. This
was a few minutes before 3 O'Clock,
town time, and the alarm being
sounded by the steam whistle of the
Imperial-E Empire hosting works. was
quickly responded to by all the steam
whistles. far and near. and passed
along to Virginia by the fire-alarm
bell Of Monumental Engine Company
No. i, OH the Divide. The Fire De-
partment turned out very promptly,
considering the early hour in the
morning, when most people were
asleep, and got to work very soon,
indeed; but so very rapidly did
the flames spread, owing to the
dry combustible nature OF the sur
rounding buildings that no less than
six buildings, including the Eclipse
mill. were OH fire before the first
stream of water was turned loose
upon 1t, by Liberty Hose Company
No. |, from the hydrant near the
Eclipse mill. A few minutes later the
other hose companies Of the Depart
ment had streams upon various parts
Of the fire. and Liberty Engine COM
pany No. / was also playing a very
| effective stream, their machine being
worked inside their house, with the
suction dropped through the floor into
the cistern beneath the front end Of
the building. They worked In that
same position rs long as the fire lasted,
and owing to the continual water sup
ply they quit with their cistern still
nearly full.
HELP FRO VIRGINIA..
Notwithstanding past differences, we
are proud to say very important assist
ance wa rendered by the Virginia
Fire Department. Engine Companies
Nos. 5 and 6 came down very early,
and posting their machines on the
tunnel toll-road grade, near Main
street. took water from the Imperial
Empire cistern and played excellent
streams pom the fire. Companies
Nos. l and 2 also sent their jumpers
down with plenty Of hose, and we no
ticed Chief Malone, Second Assistant
Bell, Jim Cartier, Pete I.arkin, and
other members OF the Virginia Depart
ment present, assisting all they could.
Honor and thanks to the tiremen Of
Virginia.
TIKI BURNT DISTRICT.
By the most strenuous eXertions the
fire was prevented from crossing Main
street and conflied entirely to the
west side. although at n time the
front OF the st. Charles Market was
Oh fire, and all the buildings near 1t
got their fronts considerably scorched.
The fire extended through from the
Eclipse mill to the old Columbus
Brewery, being prevented from work.
ing further down or even burning the
Mount Vernon House, and destroyed
every building up to short distance
above the Granite mill. Nearly or
quite thirty buildings were destroyed,
including mills, boarding houses,
miners cabins, ETC., and being prlncl-
pally the property of poor people there
was but little insurance.
THE LOSSES.
The following, as near as We can
ascertain, is an approximate account
of the losers and losses: Eclipse mill,
$l5, 900: Granite mill. $1,000; Eclipse
stable, $500: j. B. Hill. three dwell
ings, $4,000; Mrs. O'Neil's lodging
house, 5000: Mrs. Emerson's lodging
house, $1,000; J. Coleman. dwelling.
$500; 4. j. Mcclellan, dwelling. $500;
:, P. Derby, dwelling. $500; j. Cas-
sidy, dwelling. 5000; Henry Motz,
dwelling, $1,000; Mrs. Bates, lodging
house, $4,000; Mrs. McCabe. lodging
house. $500; Sol We'll, lodging house,
occupied by Mrs. Ryan, $500; MIR.
Latte. dwelling, occupied by Mrs.
Hatch. $500; Imperial barn, 5000;
John Fenton. dwelling, $500; Mrs.
Dolan, dwelling, 800; Henry Smith.
dwelling, 800; Lafee's boarding and
lodging house. 81, 800 John McQuaid. |
dwelling, $3.50; J. MaillouS. cabin,
5000; Nye's shop. $3.50. Total, $33, 400.
The above estimate does not include
all the losses in furniture, wearing
apparel, etc. Many, Mrs. Emerson,
tor instance, lost every thing, even to
iewelry, ETC., being in the closest proX-
unity to where the fire commenced,
while others farther off managed to
save the contents Of their houses.
Other cabins were burned besides what
we have mentioned. but we did not
ascertain particulars as to owner
ship, etc.
INSURANCE.
The amounts Of insurance as far rs
we have learned are as follows: J.B.
Hill, 81, 500; Mrs. Bates, $1,000; John
Cassidy. $500; J. Coleman, $500; 5. p.
Derby, $500. Total, $500.
TIE IScENDIARY.
A man sleeping next door says he
heard one or more persons walking
about in the O'Neil house shortly be-
fore the fire. and 1t Is a pretty sure
case that the building was deliberately
set OH fire. What a pity that the vii
lain escaped from it.. Half an hours
roasting would have been the very
thing for him.
IScIDESTAIs.
We do not learn Of any n being
seriously injured at the fire, although
some Of tie firemen got somewhat
scorched by the intense heat. Every
active member Of the Gold Hill De-
partment was n hero, AID worked with
n will. Among them We take pleasure
in mentioning ex-Chief McMartin. who
was everywhere In the thickest Of the
fray. We might specially mention
many more had we time or space, but
suffice it for them to know that their
efforts on this occasion are known and
} appreciated. Chief Jones, Assistant
Bish and all hands did well, managed
the fire efficiently, and checkmated it
handsomely.