, 1884-03-26
THE CONFEDERATION.
a Review of the a DIsaster--The
Outlook as 1t Now Presents
Itself.


T. Outlook as it Now Presents
.4L4 Itself.
Much speculation remains rife through
out the city as to the origin of the fire.
The most particular inquiry and investi-
CATION reveal really nothing satisfactory.
Mr.. Smith, the upholsterer, who slept
upon the same floor of the room in which
the fire occurred, came in about half-past
twelve o'clock. He passed the room in
which the flames broke out and glanced
into it; all seemed right at that hour. By
the way, this particular room was a sort of
work room where cutting, fitting, etc,
were attended toby the hands. No yarnish
or anything of that nature was kept in it /;
merely heavy wrapping paper in rolls,
Subsequently Mr.. Smith was awakened by
the alarm, and seeing a Light reflected
through a window ~diagonally opposite
his own, went to this room and found it
on fire in several places-on the floor, upon
a shelf and elsewhere. Several electric
light men were at work in a cellar on an
electric storage box. The cellar door
opens in upon a court made by the build
ings, the burning room being opposite.
These men had but to look up when they
saw the light,
In the construction and management of
the building more than usual safeguards
had been adopted to protect the edifce
against fire. Water was kept at convent
ent points in the building, partition walls
ran up clear to the top of the building.
All the upper floors contained furniture
and as a matter of course, intense heat
followed when the same burned. The fire
had to burn over these walls and down in
several instances.
A LEADER reporter interviewed the
various members of the company last
evening, but they were unable hardly to
approximate their loss, as it was impossi-
bic to estimate the amount of salvage
which might occur. All the furniture
may be considered as virtually lost. A
large portion of the goods are in the cellar,
but as the water is waist deep there, there
is little hope of much salvage in that
quarter. The water on the first Hocr
necessarily damaged nearly all that escaped
the fury of the flames.
Mr.. Wanless, of Denver, representing
the companies in which the Mercantile
company is insured, was telegraphed for
and appeared on the scene yesterday to
take the pr~eliminaries towards IN adjust
ment. On account of the papers not
being all gotten together, Mr.. Warren
was not able to name the several COM
panies in which insurance had been
placed. As stated in yesterdays LEADER,
however, the insurance will approximate
800, 900.
In reply to the question whether it was
the intention to rebuild and continue
business, Mr.. Warren said the company
had not had time to meet and consult in
the matter, but he could assure our re-
porter that it was their expectation. Ger
tainly the block will not be left long in its
present dilapidated condition, judging
from the spirit of the past.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed
upon the meritorious efforts of our worthy
fremen. They did everything that was
in the power of man to do. They clam
bered up ladders and over walls, and
stood upon the roofs amidst ice, snow,
steam and smoke, aye in the very hot
breath of the furious fire. Indeed, some
Of them were too fearless of lettering
walls and falling debris.
The electric light men were specially
conspicuous for activity and fearlessness
and staid by their work until the flames
were fully conquered.
The f. Z. Warren Mercantile company,
collectively and individually, requested
our reporter to tender their thanks to and
appreciation of the Cheyenne and Camp
Carlin fire departments for their almost
superhuman and disinterested efforts to-
ward saving property and q%uelling the
flames; also to those citizens, who, I'M
mindful of mud, spray and general dis
comfort, so kindly lent a helping hand in
the hour of dire need.