Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1880-01-16
ANlGHT OF HORROR.
Deadw0Od's Narrow Escape From q
Second Destruction.
rDoodwnod pionoor

[Deadwood Pioneer.]
Last night was night Of wild excite
ment and terror for Deadwood, which is
still staggering under the effects of the
terrible fire Of September 26th, that wiped
the whole town from the face ofthe earth.
About midnight last night, hurricane
was blowing which shook our strongest
building to its very foundations. ADense,
sitting clouds of smoke began Ito roll
down the gulches from the direction OF
Central and Gayville. A lurid glare soon
lit up the whole heavens. Thcaiarm was
sounded, for the cry Of fire is horror in
Deadwood. Scouting parties were sent
out, and soon the appalling report came
back that the whole country south of us,
mountains, pine woods, brush and stumps,
everything was a-fire and the flames were
sweeping on the wings Of the tornado tos
ward our little city.
The ire-bells changed their harsh alarm,
and in a few minutes the whole popula-
ton of the place was on the streets Every
thing movable in the western half of the
city was packed. Wagons were loaded
and .hc streets were iammed with people
carrying their little all hither and thither
in search of some safe retreat The, wind
roared and howled. The long lines Of
fame began to sweep in sight. The noun
tain just south of City creek was q mass
OF leaping, cracking, merciless flames
The whole heavens were a1lAmc. The
pinions of the storm were laden with led
damnatlon. Millions of bushels of sparks
filled the air. All hell seemed turned
loose upon us. The hose companies were
out and did everything they could, but
their utmost and bravest efforts were like
attempts to squirt Pandemonium out
with a syringe. Thousands of citizens
were to be seen everywhere along the
mountain sides and wild crags, reeling in
the hurricane and fighting the blazing
horror with the energy of despaiN The
town was on fire perhaps in five hsndred
places during the night, but thanksto the
sleepless devotion Of our people, it was
suppressed in every instance before any
damage was DONE seed grant us day
light and stop this damned Storm" was
the prayer that went up ten thousand
times during the eternity OF night and
fire Daylight came at last. The flames
had swept all around us. All creation
was blackened, desOlate waste for miles
about our borders. But, thank God
though a few cabins in the suburbs had
gone, and though the fierce tempest-driv-
en- hell in miniature had ragged within a
hundred yards of our best suburban
streets, our little city was safe, though
badly singed and internally scared. at
7 O'Clock as we write, drencheds with
whisky, water and perspiration. and Gov
cred with mud from head to heels, peo-
pie are moving back into their stripped
and dismantled homes and business
houses. Five hundred families lad fled
with all they could remove, but a few
hours will put them all back in their
quarters. Some damage has been done
to furniture and goods, but the losses are
slight. To our gallant hose-companies,
to every citizen who set his foot orpoured
bucket Gf water on an incipient conf1a-
grafton, and to God Almighty who turned
the wind from us after the fire crossed
City creek, be all the praise.