Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1885-02-20
CHICAGO.
The Grannis Block Totally Destroyed
hY Fire.

The Grannis Block Totally Destroyed
by Fire.
CHICAGO. Feb. ia fire is now raging
with great fury in the Grannis block, on
the east side of Dearborn street just
south of Washington street. The fire
started at 5:45 p. M, and half an hour
later it was found necessary to turn in
general alarm. Twelve engines and
standpipe are now playing on the flames,
and an immense crowd of several
thousand people are watching the az
parent destruction of the finest Office
blocks in the city. It is impossible now
to estimate che loss.
Before 9 o'clock everybody about the
neighborhood of the fire having offices
in the building, or being employed there,
had no doubt of the total loss of the
building and contents, except valuables
in the fire proof safes. The building is
for the most part occupied by lawyers.
architects and insurance agents, many of
whom will lose everything contained in
their Offices. It is now known that two
of the most valuable law libraries III the
city are totally destroyed; besides valua-
ble papers which the occupants had not
sufficient time to get out. In the Grannis
block are two banks. They are the Con-
tinental National and the National Bank
of Illinois. The suddenness of the fire
came near resulting disastrously
to valuable blocks and papers
of bcth banks. as the vaults were yet
open and on account Of the alarm en-
suing it was rumored that the vaults
had not been closed and that heavy
loss would result.
The Grannis block was erected about
three years ago by W. G. D. Grannis
president Of the Union National bank,
of this city, at a cost of about $175000.
The building was insured for $4,000.
Estimates of the furniture, etc., lost
amount UP well toward $4,000. The
fire was practically under control at 9
o'clock, and fears as to the safety of ad-
joining blocks we're no longer enter
tanned.
AGAIN BLOCKADED.
A heavy wind storm is drifting the
snow in the cuts and the roads are again
blockaded.
A cashier sAbsconds With His EN-.
ployprs' Money.
CHICAGO, Feb. 18.-A rumor has be-
come current this afternoon that Charles
NJ. Weed, cashier for the commission
firm of Wilman, Bodman & Co., had left
the city with between $500 and $500 of
his employers money. Later it was
stated that this fell far short of the truth,
that in fact he he had raised one of the
firms checks from $25 to $25,0OO, had
drawn the money from the Chicago
branch of the Bank of Montreal and es-
capped. ~ .....-,~-.
the sENATORsHIP.
CHICAGO, Feb. 18.-The Inter Oceans |
Springfield, Illinois, special says: The
legislature met in joint session at noon
for the purpose of voting for United
States senator. There are POP members
present and two absent, one democrat |
and one republican. The first ballot re-
suited: John A. Logan, 1O1, the full re-
publican strength present; William r.
Morrison, 81; E. NJ. Haines, 4; Frank
Lawlor, l; J. II. Ward, 1; John Smith, 1.
No election. Only one ballot was taken.
SHORT ROUTE FOR WHEAT.
CHICAGO, Feb. 18.-The Journals
Washington special says the bill, au-
thorizing the construction of a bridge
across the St. Croix river at Saltwater,
Minnesota, passed the house to-day and
goes to the president for his signature.
This will permit the. completion of the
& Sault ST. Marie railroad,
which Minneapolis people believe is
going to carry all their wheat to Boston
and Portland, as it is by way of the
Canada Southern road, some 300 miles
nearer 10 the seaboard than by way Of
Railway Accident.
GALVESTON, Feb. 10. "A train on the
Georgetown branch of the International
& Great Northern was derailed this
between Georgetown aud Round