Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-08-16
A woman whose name is unknown leaped

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 wereshut
off from escape before they were aware o:
their danger.
By order of the Mayor dozen large
buildings were blown up with giant row.
der, but even this failed to check the
flames. The Northern Pacific is probably
the heaviest loser, the passenger depotAnd
magnificent new freight ware house hing
destroyed. Its loss, including freight
burned, will reach about 81 900, 600. All
provisions and supplies were burned fand
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 o'clock p m. in a
lodging house on Railroad avenue The
fire department was on the scene Quickly
but owing to a lack of water thefire spread
to an adjoining frame building, and was
soon beyond control. The flames jumped
across the street to the Russ house ami
Pacific hotel. BY this time d strong wind
sprung up. and it was evident the city was
doomed. The fire spread with fearful
rapidly and the firemen we're 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 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, four-stcry building, taking in the
whole block between Mills and Howard
streets on Riverside avenue. The fire
lcaped 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
CT -four. story brick buildings, including the
postotfice, 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 10th 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 The block
on the right. Here was the Frankfort
block, the largest building in the city,
having cost $250,000 It withstood the
fire for some time, but finally succumbed.
The Arlington hotel was next to 20.
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 a vacant lot checked further pro-
gress in that direction. Everything in a
northerly direction. including tie Northern
Pacific express, Union block, and Windsor
hotel, was soon 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, i'll the short spa ce of three
hours, the fire had consumed everything in
Its path, reducing to ashes the entire bnsi-
ness portion Of the once beautiful CITY.
The only business block left standing is the
Crescent luildng,s which was saved by
tearing down intervening bulidin gs.
Owing TO 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
appolntet!a committee an rele Proyjs-
Ions will be sent for aud the needy SIM.
piled
Individual losses as far as known ere
rs follows:
Honey, Mason. Marks & Co., Wholesale
hardware 1925, 900; the Great Eastern
whole ale > and retail dry-goods house,
600, coo: the ;'White House, wholesale
and retail, $50, 900; eaburg Bros. =,