New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-16
THE DESTRUCTION OF HANCOUVER
A PIONEER TOWN SUDDENLY SWEPT AWAY.
TEN BODIES FOUND IN THE ASHES AND OTHERS
MrssING-1 900 PERSONS HOMELESS.

MIssING-1 900 PERSONS HOMELESS.
VICTORIA, B. c., June 15.-All day Sunday
there had been steady wind from the northve and
hres the Canadian Pacific railway lots were
famed such extent as to I'll the terminal town OF
Vancouver with smoke Nobody, however had any idea
of danger Shortly after D. NJ several persons began
to consider the situation threatening but the smoke was
dense they found 1t impossible to direct their
steps Soon stable the Colonial Hotel
was be fire. The alarm was given, but so
scepca the people that they paid no attention for
time The wind by this time had increasedto gae'
and famed the flames to a OF raging fire. One OF
the first building. to 90 MacCartney's drug store,
followed by the office OF The Vanc0ucer News Tho
flames shot across Abbottst with astounding rapdity.
aud almost before the people realized it, the whole west
ern portion Of the city was in blaze.
The excitement intense. waterst was
filled with dense smoke and flying cinders and
people were hurrying with what effects they could
gather in their haste to place OF safety the gehers
direction of their iii ght being east though many ran 10
the elevated ground owned by the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company Others made for False Creek Ihosc
who endeavcrcd their goods were so wrapped up
in their object as to appear heedes OF the danger they
ram and 1t was found cessary to compel many women
relnquish their effects to save their hves III some
cases only just time to place them on lnpro-
vised RATS which were pushed out from the shore
beyond the reach Of the hames whch literally seemed 10
I'LL the air.
In less time than ii takes te describe it, the fire lad
reached Carrol-s merchants in this vicinity and
Ferguson Block were engaged IN conveying their
goods place OF safety, but rapid was the conia-
grafton before their horses ready the team.
sters themselves obliged to fly for their lives All
hope Of any amount OF property was
now aud each contented himself with hastily
putting together what he could in his hands with
seriously impeding his speed and hurried from the
spot but after leaving tho houses the danger was
not over every road had become avenue OF fire
and the falling timber and sumDs each side, glowing
with flame proved as serious msnace to the fugIlves
as the burning houses OF the doomed city.
In the confusion which PREVAILED rowdes and ruifans
entered barrooms which had been left unprotected
and began drinking Many one was seen staggering
along with key Of beer on his shoulder and
carrying many bottles OF liquor as he could appro-
pirate. Men completely hemmed in by the
fire and apparently oblivous to their surroundings,
drinking liquor number Of the fugitives gathered
at the Hastings Mill Companys wharf, but a
large majority collected at False Creek bridge
Nothing be from either OF these POINTS but
urd rolling bank OF smoke hanging the ashes or the
city, from which stragelers could be seen occasionally
fleeing. The steamer Dunsmuir was at the wharf to
people, and with several other steamers con-
veycd a large number over TO Moody yille
The flames subsidized as suddenly as they had sen ana
by p. some venturesOme persons had already MADE
their along the roads OF the DESTROYED city, and
pefore dark the of searching for the bodies OF those
overtaken by the fiery element had begun. In short
time the ncnerated remains OF several persons haa peen
hcdies some Of which were burned beyond recogntion
mad been found There il uncertainty about the
exact number found. in some cases q h'ndfu OF
charred bones the only indication OF human lie
having One of the searchers said he thought
the number could be truthfully estimated at twelve
The general sentiment or the people apr ears 10 oe
or Of hopefuness AMI determination at once 10 begin
the reconstruction OF the city some nave aready got
buding material on the ground.
thousand at work clearing MP debris Tor tue
railroad cOmpany Twenty contracts for rebuilding
have already let Manv men lost their AL, but are
deter start in again. The property loss Iils
directly on the pioneer element Of the city Hun
ireds OF people camped ont. There ara meagre
facilities relief OF the sufferers. Prompt aid from
the canadian Pacific Railway Is expected. one man
was ou nd IN a WELL where he had lowered himself 10
escape the flames. Few OF ths people have more than
the clothes they stand IN OF the ten bodies recovered
only three have been identified Most o, tne buried
fl name bddings will be replaced with brick structures
Contracts for large hotel other extensive buildings
represe nting half million dollars lot just before
the fire. -,
Having's sawml and the Royal City planning mill,
being situated points OF land outside the town. were
saved The firm % j. NJ. Clute Co. loses $1,000. on
which there insurance OF $1,000 The total loss Is
estimated at 81 100000, and the insurance at SlOOUO
One thousand persons al homeless.
HELP FOR THE SUFFERERS.
TORONTO, June 15.-The Mayor sent to-day
by telegraph 81 the relief of the sufferers by the
Xnnc r. G., RI