Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1881-06-28
[Arizona Star, 2oth.l

The result of the first great fire
In Tombstone will probably be the
purchase of an engine and the
thorough organization of fire de.
partment. The Epitapb says that
had the city been provided with an
engine and hose at least one-half
the property destroyed might have
been saved. The fire is said to
have originated as follows: Messrs.
Alexander & Thompson, proprietors
of the Arcade saloon on Allen
street, three doors above the
Oriental saloon, on the corner of
Allen and Fifth, had barrel of
liquor which had been condemned
by them for a long time, which
they had intended to re-ship, aud
- fate would have it, they had
team ready to take 1t away at THE
time. They rolled 1t out in front
of the bar and knocked out the
bung for the purpose of measuring
the quantity In the package. Mr..
Alexander, In putting the guage
rod into the barrel, accidentally
let 1t clip from his fingers into the
same. His bartender got wire to
fish 1t out, and came to the front
with lighted cigar in his mouth,
one report says, and another
that he lighted. match for some
purpose, when the escaping gas
caught fire and communicated
with the liquor, which caused an
instantaneous explosion, scatter
ing the burning contents in ali d.
rectiops. There were two men in
the saloon at the time, besides Mr..
Hazelton, the bartender. Their
names are l.. L. Sales and David
Cotter. Mr.. Sales says the concus-
sion was terrific. The three es-
capped through the back door,
egress through the front being eff
fectually barred by the flames. AL
most by a miracle they escaped
unhurt. In less than three min
-ptes- the flames had communicated
With the dj,ining buildings and
spread with velocity equaled only
by o burning prairie In gale. The
heated condition of the wood work
assisted the devouring element in
its rapid spread. This, AZ also the
Visina & Cook block on the corner,
was an adobe building. 1t was
ceiled with cloth, which acted ne
finder for communicating the
fame.
The fire swept onward to FIRE.
mont street on the north and crosse
ed over Allen on the south, burn.
Ing In its eastward course across
Tough Nut street, reaching as far
"a Seventh, where, owing to the
number Of vacant lots, it was stop
ned. On the north side of Fremont
street the fire WAS prevented from
catching by the liberal use Of wet
hIanketU, and water constantly
dsshed upon the front Of tho build
Snrs. Sbaffer & Loru caused the
broad porca around twn .'drs ~
their sIore ~ .t...o .aF.a -. Ell
early STAG, c3t 'F iI.'. a.
stream Of w1-ei FROM rfu '..a Ht
1aehed t. tbe Vattr sos 7olle,i
cd with tb storo .4e're "a7 kg4.
81 bay.
Eyer ..,.e. l.rres
had spe t,.Ir t1- -1tlin.
manned t0a c5s44c ... ,'.
" skelet t'a ado
while he nd rHl- u ,
Of flame 'a r- % s.a .s. t..
greedy Hi4n
having o~.s~...eu sye,5tnins Ill ats
course, still craved for more.
The Epitaph of yesterday morn
ing printed a tabulated statement,
of the losses, which aggregate $780,.
600, about $40, 900 Of which was coy
cred BY insurance.
The following list of accidents
and incidents attending the great
blaze We clip from the Epitoph:
VIM. A. Cuddy, clerk In the Cos.
Hotel, was in Tribolet's |
building when 1t took fire, and In |
Uxtinguishing the flames inhaled |
the dre and was suffering severely
At late hour last night, his throat