, 1884-08-02

li.cdgcr, July 2iih.l
Tacoma has again been visited by
a terrible coniiigrntlnn, one entire
block being swept from one end to
the other. At i3;20 O'clock this
morning the cry Of fire brought all
who were within hearing distance To
thelr feet, and glance toward the
north end Of rJ'iic Avenue soon
showed rs location. Cppn arriving
on the ground hlmas were diScov-
cred In tha rcGr Of the American
house, frame luilding used as a
boarding house. The FIRE soon spread
to Il small One-story building in the
rear aud in u few mnutcs taat end
Of the block was
MASS OF FLAMES.
It was some time before any great
number Of the people arrived, and
the few that were on the ground
seemed helpless, and did not know
what to do nor where to go. It was
evident from the start that there
would he a scarcity Of water, and the
only thing 10 be done was To remove
the furniture and goods out Of the
various houses In that immediate
neighbOrhOOd. For sOma time the
fire was confined to the American
House and the Bee Hive saloon, but
at last good hcadway was made and
It was apparent that at least the
greater portion Of the block was
doomed. While the fire was con-
fined to the Bee Hive salOOWRnd the
American House nn effort s made
70 tear down the building VI ~ was
occupied by the Elite photograph
gallery, the gallery having been
moved to that building after being
burned out Of the other block. While
men were engaged in throwing arti-
cles out Of the Elite gallery lamp
was knocked over, and In an instant
that building was In flames. Then
the fire commenced spreading both
ways and half the block was in
flames. Adjoining the Bee Hive
was a small building occupied us a
saloon, which was soon In a mass Of
flames. Next came the three-stOry
Building known as the
GRoTTO HOUSE,
Which was used as a lodging house
and restaurant. The opinion was
then freely expressed that the entire
block was doomed, which proved to
be the case, and all efforts to the con-
trary were useless, so far as prevent
ing its spreading was concerned.
From there II caught a small one
story building, and went quickly
down the block. Great fears were
entertained for the safety Of the
IIalstead House, which caught fire a
number Of times, but In every in
stance the fumes were eXtinguished
before much headway was gained.
Opposite, the Standard saloon, south
Of the Halstpnd House, was in great
danger, rs well as all the buildings
in that row, but there being a large
number Of men at work ON those
houses with water and blankets, the
flames were prevented from gaining
headway, although they took fire
several times. The Cinnamon worked
hard, helping to carry water to eX-
tinguish the flames which were
threatening 10 level the Halstead
House TO the ground, and the en-
plOyes and boarders in the house dad
molly.
In a great many Instances the
stocks In the various buildings were
saved, having been removed up the
street, east Of the burning block.
The majority Of the houses were
occupied by saloons and the space
back rs far rs Cliff avenue was liter.
ally covered with liquors and cigars.
THERE Is No QUESTION
But what the fire started in the
room over the kitchen Of the hotel
aud lodging place known as the
American house. In an instant the
flames leaped to the main building,
and there was hot and rapid work to
save anything from the American.
From the American the raging ele-
ment swept southwark, battling ev-
cry effort to stay its course. The
saloon Of McCaskill a Hayes, on the
corner, was soon n
ROARING MASS OF FLAMES.
Nothing could be done but save the
contents which was rapidly accom-
plished. All along the block the
work Of removing stocks Of goods
and furniture was carried on until it
Is doubted whether any great
amount Of the contents Of the build
ings were lost, though all Of the
goods saved
WERE BADLY DAMAGED.
In tracing the route of the fire some
Of the smaller business places may
be omitted in this rapidly con-
structed account, but in the main 1t
is correct Next south Of McCaskill
& Haves' came IFeman's saloon.
About the time this building caught