Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-11-04

were soon in flames, which spread still
further north to the Ophir hosting works,
destroying them also, which is about the
limit of destruction in that direction, the
fire dying out from want OF fuel From
Taylor street, near which the fire origi-
mated it spread southwark against the wind,
DESTROYING the branch Bank OF California
and Wells-Fargo's express office, and
everything else in its line. At this point
the Gould s. Curry works were in immi-
nent danger, but were fortunately saved
In short, nearly the entire business portion
of the town is in ashes. Hotels, churches,
county buildings, newspaper, telegraph
and express offices are all swept away
Over 10000 persons are homeless. The
wind is piercing, and much suffering is
anticipated before temporary shelter can
be prepared. 1t is impossible at present
to conjecture the amount of the loss. The
destruction OF the mills and hosting
works above referred to will probably en-
tail loss of 100000 within radius of
a few hundred feet. Fortunately the shafts
of both the Ophir and Consolidated Viz
ginia were bulk-headed, and the fire was
kept out Of the mines. The Ophir men
say that possibly their loss may be less
than at first supposed, as the building was
of light frame, and might burn without
destroying the machinery. The loss of
buildings and merchandise in the city
must be very great, although covered to
great extent by insurance. It's not known
to what extent the mills and hoisting-works
were insured, except in the case of the
Ophir, where the loss is placed at $780,
900 to 5000, 900; insured for 100000 in this
city.
SAN Francisco, Oct. 81.
Dispatches received this evening give
further details of the Virginia City con-
fagration, and confirm previous re-
ports as to the extent of the calamity. The
scene during the progress of the fire is be-
yond description. The wind blew gale,
driving the cinders and flames far in adj
vance of the burning buildings, render
ing all attempts to check the progress of
the fire futile. Giant powder was freely
used to blow up the buildings, and fire.
quent heavy explosions shook the earth
The roof Of the Catholic church was
blown 100 feet in the air, leaving the bare
walls standing. By eight O'Clock all ex-
element was at its height. The streets
were filled with people, transfers strug
Cling through the fire, fighting at pre-
sentab.e points; women shrieking their
cries Of despair; curses of enTaged men
the roar OF flames, dull reports of expIo-
sions, as building after building took
fire; the heavy thud and crash Of
falling walls; the snap of bursting iron
bars and doors; the howl of the gale
all went to make up a scene of indescriba-
BILE horror. By ten a. m. the CONSOLIDATE
ed Virginia hoisting-works building and
mill were wrapped in flames and soon fell.
The new California stamp-mill then fell
prey to the fire, which swept to within
few rods of @. & G. hosting works, when
the veering of the wind turned the flames
and carried them to the Ophir works,
which soon fell in. The shaft timbers
caught fire, but were extlnguished with
out doing much damage. By eleven a.
m. the flames had spent their fury; the
wind died away, leaving a bed of smolder-
ing ruins three quarters of a mile long and
half mile wide.
No definite advices received yet as to
the extent of damage to the several min
ing properties involved The total loss
by fire is now placed at from So, 900, 900 to
$5,000,00O.