Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-02
MONTANA, WEDNESDAY
ANOTHER BIG FIRE.
The Flames Claim What Belong to Them
in Butte. !:

in Butte.
About o'clock yesterday morning a
dense volume Of smoke on lower Main
street informed the early risers and the
owls that a fire was surely in progress and
in moment or two the str ct was
thronged with people who had been at
tracted by the usual ominous signals for a
fire. On arriving at the spot it was soon
ascertained that IA fire had in some way
started in the stable of Parsons e. Remil-
lard, and had gained such headway before
it was discovered that the entire block of
frames from Warield's stable on the north
to the lodging house on the south end were
in danger. In response to the alarm both
the fire departments responded promptly
and worked with the judgment and energy
that is characteristic of their members, but
they had not been warned in time and the
facilities at command were not by any
means equal to the foe they. were called
upon to fight. As a result, notwithstand-
ing their heroic labors there was vast
amount OF property destroyed.
HUMAN LIVES
in the barn in which the fire originated the
families Of both the proprHtors lived, and
the wife OF Mr.. Parsons was the first to
discover the smoke and give the alarm,
which she did 1y calling to her friend Mrs.
Rsmillard that her stove was smoking.
This at once led to an .nvestiga tion on the
part OF Mrs. R., who discovered that the
building was on fire. but so quick was the
progress of the flames that the lady named
had only time to escape through the sec-
ond story window in her night dress. the
smoke and flames being a close pursuer.
After she had made her escape a story was
quickly circulated that another lady was in
one Of the rooms in the building. and not
withstanding the dense smoke that then
filled the rooms, ladder was placed in po-
sition and several Intellectual attempts
made to enter. They however proved un-
availing, and on.' case serious, for w. w.
Benn tt, one OF the would .be-rescuers, was
overcome by the smoke and fell from the
ladder seriously injuring himself. He was
at once removed to his home where he re.
mains under medical treatment.
THE FIRE. |
While all this was transpiring the fiery
ellen ent was making its way in both direc- |
tions and it seemed as il the entire block |
was doomed. Taking time by the forelock !
the movable property in all the adjacent
buildings was speedily taken out aud in |
few moments the street presented the ap- |
pearance OF being an open air hotel: a |
stable, harness shop, and a bar equal to |
any demand. Upon the arrival Of the fire.
men they got TO work as speedily as pos
sible and begun labor in the unequal con-
test. 1t is Leedless to say what they did in |
officers and men alike displayed good judg- !
ment, gallantry and discretion and that |
they finally succeeded in the seemingly i'm
possible task If arresting the progress OF
the flames. A glance at the ruins show
that there were four buildings totally de-
stroyed and five others injured to greater
Or less extent.
THE LOSSES.
In so extensive fire there must be
numerous incidental losses that cannot be
summed up, but the following will give an
dea of the principal sufferers: The loss OF
The stable and contents was 81, 900, in.
.ured for $4,000. Furniture OF the two
antilles $500, insured for $3.50.
O'Brirn & Bartteax, blacksmiths, loss
about $500.
j. B. Gunther, harness-maker, and the
owner OF two buildings, loss in property
md stock about IS 900, insured for 81, 200.
Several cabins in the rear were also
burned and the loss of the inmates and
ttefpefsons smay be safely estixatadr at
s2, 900.
W.rfield's stable was for a time in serious
LANCER the rear portion having ignited, but
he heroic efforts OF the firemen sa we'd it, the
took having been all taken out at an early
tage of the tire in anticipation OF possi-
,ilities.
INCIDENTS.
The burning of COW in tho rear OF one
II the buildings excited the sympathy OF
he byst .nders to such an extent that they
,egan an indiscriminate firing Of revolvers
% put the animal out of her misery.
Carlos Warfield, John Noyes, j. B. Gun
her and all the other losers by the fire de-
ire to express thanks to the members OF
he Fire Department for their good work
Turing the fire.
Chief Mccarthy and Assistant McMur-
,hy proved that they were the right men
n the right place. They were ably seconded
~ the members OF the Departments. It is
leedless to mention names where every
nan did well.
The men who made the foolish attempt
% secure the supposed burning woman are
OF praise for their courage, but not
much can be said for their discretion or
OF fires.
Mantle e. Warren, as agents. are the
heaviest losers by insurance. The firm at
,nce telegraphed the home Offices and re-
eived a prompt reply to adjust losses.
Two or three more fire-plugs and a few
thousand feet of hose would be cheap ad-
lition to the Fire Department.
A fire even at 5 o'clock in the morning
an draw larger audience than any other
hing in Butte.