The Arizona champion., 1884-02-23
DISASTROUS FIRE IN PRESCOTT.
Sad Fate of S. N. Holmes, Editor of the
 Miner.
From the Prescott Journal, Feb. IS.

From the Prescott Journal, Feb. IS
 This morning, at about half-past 2 o'clock, one of the most destructive conhagrations that has ever visited Prescott occurred on the south side of the plaza. At the honr mention d Len Hale and Night Watchman Tack ett noticed smoke issuing from the parlor of the Sherman House, and i'm mediately gave the alarm by firing their pistols, which was succeeded by the ringing of the court house bell. The alarm was promptly responded to by the entire population, but so rapid was the progress of the flames that no human efforts could subdue or check them. The guests of the hotel, who were at this hour wrapped in slumber, were speedily awakened by the kick ing down of doors, and so rapid was the spread of the flames that 1t was with the greatest difficulty they escap- ed with their lives. It was found ab- solutely impossible to save any per sonal effects.
 The fire soon spread to the adjoin- ing buildings on the east of w. Wilson & Co.,, clothing merchants, and 10 the Palace saloon, and on the west to the residence and law office of M. V. Howard, the carpenter and un- dertaking shop of Randall & Doughty and general merchandise store of L. Fisher, all of which were speedily de- stroyed, together with the greater portion of their contents. By
 THE HEROIC EFFORTS
 of our citizens, portion of the goods of ]. w. Wilson & Co. were carried across the street, but afterwards took fire and were completely destroyed. Ellis x Whitney, of the Palace Sa- loon, succeeded in saving one billiard table, their piano and one or two French plate mirrors, but, with this exception, their place was total loss. The buildings on the corner of Good win and Montezuma streets were blown up with giant powder, and the progress of the flames thus stopped from crossing the latter street. Every building, however, between Monte. zuma and Cortez streets, and extend ing clear back to the alley, were to- tally destroyed.
 After the further progress of the fire was checked, about one hour from its commencement, 1t was announced that
 S, N. HOLMES, EDITOR OF THE MINER, Was missing. He, together with his wife and lady friend of the latter, occupied suite of rooms on the sec ond floor, fronting on the Plaza. He was last seen by MT. Al. Whitney, with blanket wrapped around him, entering the burning building, for the purpose of saving some valuable pa pers in his room. Alter the flames had somewhat subsided, smoking mass in the corner immediately under his room confirmed the fears of his friends, as, from its appearance, it was unmistakably the charred remains of human being. A stream of wa ter was turned on, and the work of rescuing them from the smouldering debris was begun. At half-past 5 the Coroner arrived, and the remains were removed to the office of the Miner, It is supposed that, in his at- tempt to save the papers he spoke of to MT. Whitney, he entered his room and was overcome by the smoke and heat, and perished in the flames. The sudden and lamentable manner of his death has, of course, thrown his wife into the most frantic and agonizing grief.