St. Landry democrat., 1884-01-26
I.svEnAs N Inn 1;

with the LOSS OF their 1InectS-AheReCt1NS
Fire Service.
LAS VEGAS, N. NJ, Jan. II.
The Montezuma Hotel, situated at the
springs, six miles from the city of Las
Vegas, one of the grandest hoteleries in
point of furnishing and surroundings, was
completely destroyed by fire ts-day. There,
was no loss of life, but there was of course
great excitement among the guests and
many narrow escapes to people endeavor-
ing to save their property at the risk of
their lives.
The fire was discovered about noon by
servant who was cleaning up one of the re-
ception-roons on the second floor to the left
of the main entrance. He saw smoke COM
ing through the floor near the steam coil.
He first ran out into the hall and shouted
fire, and then running back into the room,
tore the radiator from its place. As he did
this, the flames burst through and he had
to run for his life.
The fire must have been burning some
time, for almost at the same instant fire
was discovered by one of the guests, who
also shouted fire at the top of his voice.
The panic that ensued was almost inde-
scribable, and most fortunate was it that
the fire occurred in the day time and not at
night As it was, the Railways and rooms
smoke that enveloped the entire interior of
the building in almost midnight darkness,
and the utmost confusion prevailed as the
guests and employees rushed madly through
the halls and endeavored to drag their
trunks and other possessions from their
rooms. This confusion lasted for only q
short time, owing to the fact that the peo-
pie were soon all out of the burning build
ing.
The hotel was not half full, there being
only sixty-two guests, but there was full
complement of servants and employees.
Some of the guests-probably one-i fourth
succeeded IN saving portion OF their pos
sessions but the employees lost everything.
OF course while all this was going on Ell
forts were being made to stop the progress
OF the flames. The fire was so rapid that
the means OF lighting lire provided IN the
hotel could not be got to work. Inc ire de-
partment of the Springs was unable to do
anything to save the hotel. special train
left Las Vegas IN ten minutes after the
alarm was given with the fire department..
The SIX miles were covered IN nine mlnutess
and the engines ready for action. lt was
found the plugs were an inch smaller than
the city hose, so no eteetlVe connection
was made for some time Then the only
hope was to save the boller-house Just come
pleted at cost OF S4u,oeo anu Dath-house
that cost S1V,OJV. Inc labters cofnlce
blazed up several times, but was saved
4he former esGapSu ohiy DScduse JIG Dui4u-
ing between it and the hotel was torn down.
The Montezuma was nrst opened Tor pqs-
mess April I, 1851, ana was considered Gne
equal Oh any ana bhe superior OF hos9
places OF pubic entertainment 70 De 1onnd
at any OF the popular resorts IN Amef s "a;
poGh oll y 1e - iS e
appointments and /, the elegance e. ana taste OF
its furnishings: Inc mouse could eoIntoTe~
ably accommodate three hull S euesCss
The builolng was Oh ifaulS' queen Ahhs7
sgyle' thtee seol4es hAsh' gsoie iooleu.
There were $50 rooms, all furnished in a
costly and elegant style. There were la.
dies and gentlemen's reception rooms ana
general parlors ON all the hoors' put me