The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-08-16
A woman whose name is unknown leaped
from the second story Of the Pacific hotel

A woman whose name isunknown leaped
from the second story of the Pacific hotel
and was killed.
The fire spread with such astonishing
rapidity that it is believed many were shut
off from escape before they were aware OF
their danger.
By order of the Mayor a dozen large
buildings were blown up with giant pow
der, but even this failed to check the
flames. The Northern Pacific is probably
the heaviest loser, the passenger depot and
magnificent new freight war house being
destroyed. Its loss, including freight
burned, will reach about II, O0O, 600. All
provisions and supplies We're burned, and
there will be much suffering for several
days. Appeals for help have been sent
out, and Portland, Seattle, Tacoma. and
several neighboring towns have already
responded.
The fire started at 2 O'Clock p. m. in a
lodging house o Railroad avenue. Tho
fire department was ON the scene quickly,
but owing to q lack Of water the fire spread
to ar adjoining frame building, and was
soon beyond control. The flames jumped
across the street to the Russ house and
Pacific hotel. by this time a strong wind,
sprung up, and it was evident the city was
doomed. The fire spread with fearful
rapidity and the tiremen were pow.rless.
An attempt was made to check the fire by
blowing up buildings in its path, but it was
useless. From the Pacific hotel the fire
jumped across First street to the frame
buildings in the next block. Soon it
reached the heart Of the city. A block of
two-story brick buildings on Riverside
avenue next went. From here the fire was
communicated to the magnificent Hyde
block, a four-story building. taking in the
whole block between Mills and Howard
streets on Riverside avenus. The fire
leaped across Howard street, and in a few
minutes the block between Howard and
Stevens streets was reduced to ashes. Tie
next to succumb was the large.Tull block.
From there the fire swept the solid block
Of four story brick buildings, including the
postoiice, between Stevens and Washing
ton streets, and here burned out from lack
Of material.
From the point Of beginning the fire
took another direction, leaping across
Sprague street to the Opera House block.
From it the flames leaped Riverside avenue
to Browns bank and both sides of the
avenue were in flames. The block between
Post and Mill streets was quickly licked
up, including the Grand hotel. From here
the flames were communicated to tile block
on the right. Here was the Frankfort
block, the largest building in the city,
having cost $250, 600. 1t withstood the
fire for some time, but finally succumbed.
The Arlington hotel was next to go.
From the Arlington the fire travelled
north and consumed the block between
Howard, Main, Front, and Stevens streets,
burning east as far as the latter street,
where q vacant lot checked further pro.
gress In that direction. Everything in q
northerly direction, including the Northern
Pacific express, Union block, and Windsor
hotel, was soon o mass of flames. The
river prevented the fire doing further
damage and was q means Of saving big
Touring and lumber mills.
By this time, in the short space of three
hours, the fire had consumed everything in
It's path, reducing to ashes the entire BUSH
ness portion Of the once beautiful city.
The only business block left standing is the
Crescent building, I which was saved by
tearing down Intervening buildings.
Owing to the rapidity withwhich IT spread
scarcely anything was saved. Provisions
Tie city council met this morning and
appointeda committee on relief, Provis.
ions will he sent for and the needv sun.
piled.
Individual losses as far a. known are
as follows:
Honey, Mason. Marks & Co., Wholesale
hardware $4,000: the Great Eastern
Wholesale B and retail dry.goods house,
&lOO, 900; the s'Whits House," wholesale
and retail, $50, QUO; Lowenburg Bros,
500. 900; Benham & Grifiths wholesale
grocers, $40, 900; Mason, Smith g. Co.,
grocers, 10000: Pacific hotel. go. 600;
Grand: hotel, 10000; Windsor, $25, 600;
Hyde block, $4,000; Washington block,
f65, 600; Crsscsnt, $4,000; Cannon block,
geo, 0O0, Moore block, $4,000;
First national bank block, tc5,.
QUO; Wolverton block, t2e5, OO0:> Frankfort
block. el25. 900; Tuil block, ga, 900.
The disaster Is undoubtedly far more
serious than that which overlook Seattle,
both on account Of its great extent and
the moro substantial character Of the
burned buildings No account Of losses
has yet been received. The Western Union
Office was burned out and all instruments
except one, which an operator is now
wssking on . dry goods bog Just outstds