St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-06
The Metropolis Of Eastern
Washington Has It's Bap-
tiSm of Fire.
Fourteen Million Dollars
Worth of Business Blocks
in Smoking Ruins.
Three Hours Suffice to Com.
plete the Awful Work Of
Destruction.
Superintendent Of City Water
Works Denounced for
Neglect of Duty.

OPUKANE FALLS, w. L. I.,AuS. line
entire business portion of this city was
destroyed by fire last night. Twenty
five blocks were reduced to ashes. The
estim aSed loss is s14,OOO,00O. The fire
started at o'clock d. m. in lodging
house on Railroad avenue. The fire de-
partment came ON the scene quickly,
but, owing to lack of water, the fire
quickly spread to adjoining frame build
ings and was soon beyond control. The
flames jumped across the street to the
Russ house and the Pacific hotel. By
this time strong wind sprung up, and
it was evident the city was doomed.
The flames spread with fearful rapidity.
The firemen were pOwerless. Attempts
were made to check the fire by blowing
up buildings in its path, but it was USE
less. From the Pacific hotel the fire
swept across First street to the frame
buildings i'll the next book, and soon it
reached the
HEART OF THE CITY.
The block OF tWo-StOry brit K build
lngs on Riverside avenue was easily
carried away. From here the fire COM
municated with the magnificent Hyde
OiOChs u luhlllS III
the whole square between Mill and
The fire next leaped across Howard
street, and in a few minutes the block
between Howard and Stevens streets
was mass of red-hot ashes. The next
structure to Succumb was the large Tull
block. From there the contiagration
went whirling through the solid blocks
of four-story brick buildings, including
/ the postoffice, between Stevens and
Washington streets. At this point the
fire burned out from lack of material.
From the place of origin the fire had
meanwhile taken another direction,
leaping across Sprague street to the
opera house. and thence over Riverside
avenue to Browns bank, then both sides
Of the avenue were in flames. The
buildings between Post and Mill streets
were quickly licked up, including the
Grand hotel. From here the waves of
fame poured into. the adjoining square
on the right, containing the Frankfort
block, the largest building in the city.
The Frankfort cost $3.50, 700. 1t with
stood the fire for some time. but finally
disappeared. The Arlington hotel was
now enveloped in flames. Suddenly
man was seen to
JUMP FROM THE SECOND STORY.
He arose and started to run down
Howard street, but was overcome by
the heat and fell. Several people rushed
to his assistance and carried him to a
place of safety. He was a pitiable
sight; he had been literally roasted
alive, the skin peeling off all over his
body. The unfortunate mans name
was Charles Davis. He died at noon to-
day. Northward was the direction taken
by the fire from the Arlington. 1t con-
sumed the block between Howard. Main,
Front and Stevens streets, burning
east as far as the latter thoroughfare,
when a vacant lot checked further
progress in tnat direction. Everything
Northern Pacific express office, the
Union block and the Windsor hotel.
was soon mass of flames. The river
prevented the fire doing further daG-
age an was the means of saving all the
big Touring and lumber mills. Three
hours sufficed to complete the awful de-
struction. The only business block left
standing in the city is the Crescent
building, which was saved by tearing
down Intervening buildings. Owing to
the rapiuity with which the fire spread,
SCARCELY ANYTHING WAS SAVED.
Provisions are scarce, and will last
only short time. The city councilmet
this morning and appointed committee
on relief. 1t was decided that provis-
ions should be sent for and the needy
supplied free. The superintendent of
| The city water works was denounced by
the council for neglecting his duty, he
being away at the time of the fire. The
| big pumps were not connected and as
| result there was scarcely any pressure.
Had the contrary been the case the fire
would have been easily gotten under
control. The militia is now in control,
and all persons without passes are for
| hidden to enter the burnt district. Five
| out of the seven banks destroyed were
| again doing business to-day, all being
! located in the Crescent block, the only
| business structure left standing. Not
| withstanding the extent of the calamity,
the people wear cheerful air and bear
their losses bravely. Many business
| men have already signified their inten-
tion to rebuild.
GENEROUS MONTANIANS.
HELENA, Mont. Aug. 5.-At mass
| meeting of citizens tO-nightin the board
of trade $1,000 was subscribed for the
| benefit of the Spokane Falls sufferers.
| a car leaves here tomorrow morning
containing fifteen tons of blankets.
| clothing and provisions.
LOSS OF SIX MILLIONS.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug. 5.-The
property loss by fire at Spokane Falls
last night is estimated at S6,000,00 by
the Coast Review. an insurance journal
| published in this city. The same paper
estimates the total insurance at 1885,
800.