, 1889-06-13
on THE SCENE OF THE FIRE.
Our Editor on the Scene of Disaster and
Describes What He Sees.


is now q smolderins mass of brick Th
people walk the streets with an aimles
air, beiug paralyzed by the extent of tn
disaster. Thirty blocks are now il
ruins and twenty million dollars wertI
of property has been devoured by tht
fiery element. Every hotel in the cit,
has been destroyed, and the banks hav,
met like fate. The fire is supposed t
have commenced in carpenter shop il
the basement of the Pontius building
The carpenter was engaged in gluinI
some article of furniture and acciden
tally turned over gasoline stove arc
thus Seattle, from this insignitican
cause, is reduced to ashes.
The fire as first stated began at From
and Madison streets, and extended
along the water front as far as the dry
dock. From Madison street TO as far as
Seneca street the fire burnt, being the
extent Of the coDflagration in south
erly direction from where the fire frs
began. Both sides OF Front street and
back on to Second street are the build
iDRs destroyed. A portion OF the walls
OF the Occidental hotel are all that is
left to tell where that building once
stood. The fine building Of Toklas &
Singermsn Is entirely destroyed. Sc
rapidly did tho fire come in upon this
building that the propristors had no
time to save any of their goods. The
fire seemed TO work in, under the founda-
ton and in a twInkling TIE entire struc-
ture was a seething mass of roaring,
kissing flames. The building seemed as
il animated. II swayed and rocked il.
ike embrace Of the fiery demon as if
battling for its life, and then FELL with a
terrible crash. This building gone the
fire continued its onward course licking
up the buildings us il they were so many
sbavings.
As told by an eye witness the sight
was something awful to contemplate.
The streets being composed of wooden
pavements; the fire was lot only on
each side Ct the street but the streets
themselves were on fire and thus were
the firemen prevented from successfully
battling with the fire. The spread CT
the FIRE is thought by many to 'e due to
the burning OF the pavements.
With water on all sides of the town
the city was in a short time left without
drop to use to stay the contiagvation.
All the firemen could do was to watch
the destruction and powerless to step it.
Port Townsend's firemen arrived in good
time but could not do any effective
work owing to the lack Of water. Fort
land seDt over two engines but they
could not be used.
Much thieviug was attempted but the
thieves being summarily dealt with it
had the effect OF awing the crowd and all
depredatIons were stopped. Two Ren
were shot dead for attempting to pilfer
and one was strung up, but fortunately
or unfortunately he was cut down in
time 10 save his life.
Safes by the score are scattered along
the streets. Some have doubtless pre-
served their contents while Others, from
the fact that they have burst their doors,
have been destroyed.
Every description o: furniture can be
seen scattered along the streets. Many
people are seen sitting surrounded by
what little property they could save
from the disaster. Here and there are
being seen tents erected and everything
is being done to make the people COM
Portable.
A little tent on Front street hss the
imposing sign New Occidental" and
doubtless this is all the Representative e
that the Occidental has, as erything
was destroyed. Many tents are being
used as restaurants and thus many thou
sands of Seattle's burnt out citizens are
enabled to find food.
The scene of the disaster still continues
to attract the attention, not only Of the
citizens here, but from the adjoining
towns. All find it impossible to realize
that the business portion of Seattle is in
ashes. So thoroughly did the fire do its
work, that it is hard to find ones bear
ings; the streets presenting 40 object
that one can remember as this building
or that. One of the most imposing
monuments of the disaster is that of the
Occidental hotel. Rearing heavenwart
in majestic form, stands two columns o.
the Occidental-being all that is left o
the building on the corner of Mills anC
James streets. The ruins reminds one
of some old castle. The scene, as the
moon looks sadly, but grandly, dowI
upon it, is one that will be long carried
in the memory of all those that behelC
it. The fire from the ruins lit up al
around, and one could not help soliquiz
ing at the awful scene spread out befor,
them. Here, but a few hours brfore
stood the finest buildings that the prout
city of Seattle could boast, but whicl
now are but ashes. Upon the eminenc
of Second street many stood gazing upol
the conhagration; many of these doubt
less before the holocaust were in affluen
circumstances, but now reduced TO pov
erty. Yet there they stood and not
murmur escaped from their lips. God
awful doom they received with bowe
heads. Seattle in this awful hour OF dis
tress presents an attitude, both of sui
mission to its fate, yet an attitude of de
termination to surmount the difficultie
that lie before her. From the ashes vii
arise, phoenix like as it was, a city NOR
grand, more imposing and more sui
stantial than ever before.
Front street, near the corner OF Sene
ca, is caved in where it evidently ha
been bridged over. The cable car track
are warped from the fearful heat. Tn
cable car company kept the cable goin
in order that it might not be effected b
the heat.