Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-08-15

A woman whose name is unknown 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 heavieet loser, the passenger depot and
magnificent new freight war; house being
destroyed Its loss, including freight
burned, will reach about 81, 600, 600. All
provisions and supplies were 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 z o'clock p. m. in
lodging house on Railroad avenue. The
fire department was OH the scene quickly,
hut owing to a lack of water the fire spread
to AN ad joining frame building, and was
soon beyond control. The flames jumped
across the street to the Russ house and
Pacific hotel. by this time strong wind
sprung up, and it was evident the city was
doomed. The fire spread with fearful
rapidly and tho fremen were powerless.
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 fho 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, four-story building, taking in the
whole block between Mills and Howard
streets on Riverside avenue. The fire
leaped across Howard street, and in few
minutes the block between Howard and
Stevens streets was reduced to ashes The
next to succumb was the large Tull block.
From there the fire swept the solid block
IF four story brick buildings including the
postofiice, 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 botel. From here
the flames were communicated to the block
on the right Here was the Frankfort
block, the largest building in the city,
having cost $3.50, 900. 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 vacant lot checked further pro-
| gress in that direction. Everything in a
nortLerly direction. .including tie Northern
| Pacific express, Union block, and Windsor
hotel, was soon a mass of flames. The
! river prevented the are doing further
| damage and was means OF saving big
Touring and lumber mills.
BY this time, in the short space of three
hours, the fire had consumed every thing In
Its path, reducing to ashes the entire busi-
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 10 the rapidity withwhich it spread
scarcely anything was saved. Provisions
are scarce and will last only short time.
| The city council met this morning and
appointed committee ON relief. Provis.
ions will be sent for and the needy sup
piled.
Individual losses as far as known are
as follows
Honey, Mason, Marks e. Co., wholesale
hardware 1926, 900; tie Great Eastern
Wholesale q and retail dry-goods house,
800, 600 1.-The white House." wholesale
and retail, ssO,OOO; Lowenburg Bros,