Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-10-01
DEADwOOD BURNED.
Nearly all the Business HOusea
and Many Residences
are In ashes.
tPrcss Dispatch,1


Deadwood, Sept. ga fire broke
out in the Star bakery, on Sherman
street, at 2:2O o'clock this a. m, and
following hat thoroughfare swept
every thing before it on Lee, Main,
Gold, Wall, Patten and Williams SITS,
and several residences on Centenni-
al avenue. Famed by a light breeze
and nothing to contend with except
a very inefficient fire department,
everything vas at the mercy of the
flames. Less than q half a score of
pronounced freproof warehouses
withstood the test. The buildings
being mostly Of wood and poorly
constructed, they burned like SO
much chaff. The fire spread with
such wonderful rapidity that any
attempt at saving anything would
have been useless. All along its
course terrific explosions of gunpow-
der, petroleum, liquor, etc., were of
frequent occurrence and buildings
were blown into atoms.
The hook and ladder apparatus
and the hose carriages were the first
things to burn, leaving nothing but
q few feet of worthless hose with
which to battle against the devour-
ing elements. The new water works
were tried for the first time yester-
day and this morning they were put
to their full capacity with little sue
cess in subdueing the flames, on &C
count Of the scarcity Of water. The
hillsides were almost one solid sheet
Of flames. Water from the Boulder
ditch could not be obtained, other
wise considerable property would
probably have been saved, as the
ditch was almost directly over the
worst spot.
The widest excitement prevailed
on account of the fearful force of the
flames, and the people thought of
but little besides saving their own
lives, hundreds escaping with MOTH
ing but their night clothes on. Ev-
cry team within miles of the city
was called into service to help save
what could be got out.
Probably two hundred people are
homeless and many are destitute.
About 125 buildings, besides so or 60
dwelling houses were destroyed, and
while it is utterly impossible to get
any definite figures regarding the
loss, well posted business men place
it at from &1,5OO,OO to 100000.
The fire is still burning but all its
material is exhausted and there is
no danger of it's spreading, unless
there is an unfayorable change in
the wind.
Several firms whose fire proofs
were saved have posted notices that
they will open up for business in
them Saturday. Lumber is being
hauled rapidly and building will
commence as soon ss the debris can
be cleared away and in a far more
substantial manner than before.
Most of the merchants who have
lost their wooden stores will erect
brick ones. Labor is in great de-
mand and everything presents a
lively appearance. A meeting was
held by prominent titizens this after
noon, prompted by the numerous
thieving operations which have bro
ken out, and many cases of lot
jumping, at which Hon. Judge
Moody presided. It was decided to
call upon Gen. Sturgis, commanding
at TT. Meade, for a company Of
troops to act as guards over the
property Of the unfortunate sufferers
by the fire, which request was
promptly complied with and a COM
pany Of cavalry was at once sent
here, together with ten wagons and
two ambulances to transport the
destitute citizens to IT. Meade, where
they will be furnished with camps
and rations, which kind offer was
made by Gen. Sturgis.
All the saloons were closed by an
order Of the sheriff, and the city pre-
SCENTS an unusually quiet appearance.
A citizens committee Of seven was
appointed at to-day's meeting who
Win assist the sheriff in keeping the
reAce.
Evil doers, If caught viii be speed
~ dealt with. The proposition to
OsgEnise ! vigilance committee 100
strong wn voted down emphatical-
IN. The post oficA, which was de-
strcyed, Lost e8,000in postage stamps
a1ld stamped envelopes but no mail
MoG destroyed and the coaches are
l5pnnins regularly with daily mails.