Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-08-09
THE GREAT FIRE IN PORTLAND.
From III" News orthe "a ins..l

came up past Swan Island, the Captain
and engineer saw black columns of
smoke arising from the city, and know
ing that fire was raging while the in
habitants were soundly sleeping, COM
inenced blowing long whistles, which
we've kept up until they reached the
steamer O''co"to, lying at the Oregon
Steam Navigation Company's wharf.
This strange conduct brought the watch
man on deck, who Immediately saw the
cause, and hurriedly followed the ex-
ample Of the Coohr. The whistle was
kept screaming to attract the attention
of any person who might be stirring
at that early hour. The Cooke had
reached the American Exchange when
the fire alarm was sounded, and the
Department turned out in hot haste,
and proceeded to the furniture store of
Messrs. Hurgren Il Shindler, near the
corner of First and Salmon streets, on
the first floor Of which it originated.
At first it was confined to this building
alone, but the great amount of dry ma
tcrial stored in the workshop burned
like powder. Nobly did the Depart
ment stand to their posts; nobly did
the machines continue to strain every
joint in the fierce battle with the flames.
Immediately the buildings adjacent to
the store was wrapped in clouds of
smoke, and tongues of fiery fame licked
the walls, scorning the efforts of the
brave boys to stay them. The dread
reality dawned upon the frantic crowd
as the flames roared and Kissed, spread
ing rapidly throughout the block, and
that was, the flames could not be con-
trolled. The huge volumes of flame
seemed to penetrate the clouds of Heav-
en-. The wild, tumultuous roaring
almost shook the earth, as half dressed
people. whose blanched cheeks wore a
rigid look of terror, hurriedly dragged
their furniture from their threatened
homes. Such sights as mothers weeping
over their destitute families, whose lit
tie goods had fallen prey to the mad
dened fend, are hard to see unmoved.
Many poor family was hurried from
their little homes almost beggars, the
terror-stlicken children clinging to. their
weeping parents.
As the flames increased and spread,
the streets presented one of the saddest
sights we have ever witnessed. Every
vehicle OF conveyance to be had in the
vicinity of the city hurriedly emptied
the stores for the length of about twelve
blocks north and south, and four blocks
east and west. Such losses we have
never seen before. The contents of
stores were tumbled into the streets,
where they were trampled under foot
by men and horses. Silks, satins, laces,
dress goods, clothing, boots and shoes,
crockery, furniture, and every imagin-
able article, ruined and destroyed The
streets were piled with goods that could
not be saved, SO rapid was the speed.
The course of the confagration tended
toward Front street, although three
blocks back from the river now lay
heap of smoulderins ruins. When
three or four blocks were burning fierce
ly and the fire spreading rapidly what
could our engines do toward extinSuish-
ing it? Alas, as has been proved, but
very little. 1t now became evident
that the city was in the utmost danger
of total destruction, and n cry for help
sped rapidly over the wires to Oregon
City, Salem and Albany. The operator
at Oregon City was not in. BY
strange chance an operator on the rail-
road train stepped into the Office to
telegraph to Aurora for breakfast. No
sooner had the connection been made
when Mr.. Plummer, of this city, called
that station and asked the aid of the
Salem fire department.
In few moments Mr.. Failing, of the
railroad office, telegraphed to hold the
train until the Department could get
their engine placed upon fiat car that
happened to be at the station. The
alarm was given in the city and in few
minutes the entire Department was on
hand. After the telegram was read to
them they snatched Capital Engine No.
I from her house and hurried to the
waiting train. AS soon Us she had been
placed on board, the train started from
the depot like q shot from cannon.
Such time has never been made upon
the Pacific coast before. The distance
between the two points is SO miles,
which was made in one hour and eight
minutes.
Nobly did the gallant boys from Salem
labor in the battle, and great was the
benefit of their labor.
The Vancouver boys were also sent
for, and responded Immediately to the
call, also doing beautiful and telling
work. Long and earnestly did they
battle against the destroyer. With will
ing hands they aided the victims of
this terrible visitation, and for them the
people of our city will ever maintain a
grateful remembrance, hoping never to
be called upon to return the kindness
in the same way.
AS the Sash and Door Factory of
Messrs. Walker & Co. ignited, the pro-
prietors offered one thousand dollars
for stream of water ten minutes, but
it was impossible to furnish it, as other