Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-06-14
MPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
0llsPli. FRIDAY EVENING. JUNE II, iSS!
II Might Have Been Worse.

II Might Have Been Worse.
The all-absorbing topic Of CONVEX
sation everywhere Low il the Seattle
fire, and following SO closely on the
terrible Hood in Pennsylvania, has
kept the public pulse up TO fever heat
for protracted season. The reports
that have been published of this dis
aster to our neighbOring city have not
been cxagerated-indeed it would be
difficult by the use OF language to
paint all the horrors OF the scene OF
Thursday afternoon and night, or to
give an adequate idea OF the far-rcach-
ing misfortune that has befallen the
people OF the unfortunate city. But,
bad as it is, comparison of few
figures shows that it by no means
rivals in relative loss the great Chicago
fire OF 1871. The total area burned
over at that disaster embraced 2,124
acres inclusive of streets, or nearly 81
square miles. The burnt district Of
Seattle is estimated at about 115 acres,
or not quite one-eighteenth that area.
The loss of the Chicago fire footed up
$l96OO0,O0O. That of Seattle will
probably not exceed $l5,OO0,OOO, or
not quite one-thirteenth the larger
sum. The population OF Chicago, in
1871, was 1874, go, or about eleven
times that claimed for Seattle now
and its property values aggregated
$500, 900 900, against say $4O,0OO,OOO
for Seattle. Thus it will be seen that
Chicago, with eleven times the popula-
ton and fifteen times the wealth,
suffered about 10 times rs much loss.
She likewise experienced a depreci-
alton OF real estate values COM
mensurate with the magnitude of a
loss which was unparalleled at that
time and therefore without practical
illustration Of the recuperative power
of American enterprise. Still another
loss resulted from the failure OF insur-
ance companies incident to such an
enormous destruction OF insured
property. Only about 40 per cent. of
the 500, OOO, 600 covered by insurance
could be collected, and these consider
atoms augmented the loss to grand
total of $29O,OOO,OOO. About $4,000
people left Chicago after the fire. The
17,45O buildings destroyed were about
30 per cent. in number, but not less
than so per cent. in value, of the
whole city. The conditions are much
different i'll the present case. The
loss of the whole of the business dis
trict will not materially retard the
progress of a people who have made
Seattle what she was, literally tenn
ing with business, enterprise and life,
and with more vigor to the square
foot than any other city on the CONT
nent. She will not suffer any de-
probation in real values, nor will she
lose much by the insurance COM
panies, as the scorch of 1871 has made
all companies more careful in the dis
tribution of their risks. The loss will
be just the amount that will be re-
quired to replace uninsured burnt build
ings and stock, and the loss of time and
business until the trades can be re-
established. Some estimate this delay
at several years, but we predict that
the restoration will be established so
soon it will be . surprise even to her
own people. Three of the largest real
estate owners in the burnt district, de-
clared Friday, that operations would
begin ON new brick buildings as soon
as the ground had cooled enough to
allow the workmen to handle picks
and spades,
1t is fortunate for the people of Sc
attic that the fire occurred in the day
time, fortunate that it occurred at this
season Of the year, and doubly fortu-
nate that the loss falls mainly on those
who possess ample means to regain
their losses. Very few private resi-
dences were destroyed, and those who
lost their tenements and have not yet
obtained other houses are comfortably
encamped in tents ON vacant lots, and
in the many beautiful garden plats
which abound in the Queen City.
There is no absolute suffering. A
temporary deprivation of some of the
luxuries Of life, is about the extent of
the hardships sustained, unless it be
in some few cases, and for these am
pie relief is at hand. Tacoma has
been especially liberal and prompt on
in extending aid in this emergency,
and on Friday a steamer laden to
the guards with provisions was dis
patched to the stricken community.
Supplies have likwise gone from Port
Townsend, Olympia and doubtless other
places. All that cordial sympathy can
suggest will be done to mitigate the
hardships incident to such an unusual
disaster.
The PROPER SPIRIT.-The morning
after the Seattle fire, Mr.. Frye the own
er of the opera house, one of the first
buildings to succumb to the fiery ele-
ment, asked the agent of the company
in which his insurance had been placed
if there would be any delay in getting
his money. "Oh no." replied the
agent, 81 see no need of adjustment.
The loss is total" Then, replied Mr..
Frye, I'm begin reconstruction as