The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-10-30
TERRIBLE CONFEDERATION IN
VIRGINIA CITY!
a Large. Portion of the City in
SAshesl

Shay, alias "Cnzy Knte,"a woman of
i'll repute. The house was located zeal
the center of the city, halfway between
Taylor and Union OH 4 street. 4
%neighbor seeing an unusual hight enter
ell the house and found the room next
To Hates in flames. lie believes il
caught from Il candle left burning, such
being her habit. The house in II few
minutes was in n blaze. Engines were
soon on:hand, but Of no avail. \ furi-
Gus wind was blowing directly down
Mount Davidson from the southwest,
and the flames spread with fearful rap
idity. The light sidings warped, blew
OIL, and scattered cinders broadcast. In
fifteen minutes more IL score Of build
ings i'll the vicinity were OH fire. The
wind increased. md the fire spread in
all directions till n space equal to 'one
block was OH fire, the flames roaring
with II fearful noise, licking up brick,
iron, stone and wooden structures like
straw. Now.the wind blow u gale from
tho south, driving tho flames north, en-
abling the tiremen to save the south
ern portion Of the town. II was seen
TINT attempts to stay the fumes would
d be, useless, aud people began removing
their goods. The fire swept along b
street and encircled tho County Build
ings, from which most valuable records
wcre saved. Tho prisoners in the
County Jail were removed to the Station
House, and when TINT burned they
were shut in an old tunnel for safe
keeping. The flames soon turned
north down tho hill, taking in the Bank
Of California, and began its march along
street. About the same time il crossed G
street, it wen! OH down hill to the Opern
House and new railroad depot. Powder
was now placed in the Catholic Church
and it WIS blown into tho mir. This
was done to stop the scattering Of grcnt
cinders which were flying from the
roof i'll oil directions. The flames rose
hundreds of feet into the mir, and the
hcat was most intense. Merchants now
threw open their stores and told the
people to help themselves to clothing
md groceries MS nothing could be saved.
Goods that had been removed to the
street were burned. At 8 O'Clock the
scene WAS Undesirable. The streets were
filled with people; transfers struggling
through; lremen fighting tho fire;
women shricking; men cursing and the
rom Of flames, together with dull re,
ports Of explosions rs building after
building took fire. The heavy thud o.
crushing wills aud the howl of the gnlt
all went to make up II scene of indie
scribable horror.
Soon after the fire attacked the Opcrt
House and from this reached tho Con
Virginia hoisting works. thonce travelled
to md destroyed the big mill of III,
company and the new stamp mill of til,
California company. Shortly nfter til,
Ophir works were on fire, and sooI
that ncighborhOod was n sea of flames
As tho fire approached the hoistin;
works OF the several mines, the mel
wcro brought up from the lower level
and oil were safe on tho s%urfncc befor,
the flames reached the buildings sur
rounding the shaft.
The top Of the Consolidated Virginia
shaft was bulkhendcd to IL considcrnbl,
depth with dirt, rendering it quite Sc
cure, nsis supposed. Atthc Ophir shnf
tho cages were let down into their scv
ernl compartments and tho safety M
paratus sprung, when waste rock wa.
shovelcd in upon them. Ono Of tn,
cRGes gave way Mt the last moment ant
left its compartment open. and may re
suit in serious damage TO the mine.
The burning Of the hoisting-w work!
and mills will throw nm army of mel
out of employment, md men to, il
many instances who have lost thci
homes and MI they contain. Thes,
people md mRny others, will need i'm
mediate assistance from abroad. Twt
men nre known to have been kilIct
during tho fire and many nro badl,
hurt while scores made hair-brcadtl
escapes Of all kinds. 4. Mr.. Ketton
Of Gold Hill was killed while passin;
from G to d street by tho falling o
the wall Of tho Carson brewery. Two
men were pretty seriously injured b.,
the sarIr wall.
4 number Of persons camo near be
ing burned in their rooms and II fuv
were rescued from third story windows
some throwing themselves down upor
mattresses pluccd for their reception
Several horses were burned alive.
A man who seemed to he intoxicated
wns killed in tho Black building. II,
wHs in Ashes book aud toy store,
throwing ont toys. lie was urged &c
leave tho building but continued &c
joke and throw out toys. Scvcrnl
narrowly escaped being crushed by ful.
ling walls and several camo near being
hunt by tho blowing mp of buildings.
Tho county jnil was among tho first
buildings burned, the prisoners having
been removed to n stone cellar under
the Pnciiic brewery, OF the Grigcr grade.
Tho n~riqoucr Inrtin nccuvnJ ri III,
murder 0f COrcoran, made his escape,
but was rccRpturCd 10y n miner, named