The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-08-06

Ahe losers as nearly aS can be learned
were as follows:
Holley, Mason, Marks & Co., wholesale
hardware, $125,000.
The Great Eastern, s,.holesale and re-
tail dry goods, 100000.
Benhamcs & Griffiths, wholesale groc-
ers, $4,000.
Pacific Hotel, $4,000.
6rand Hotel, $4,000.
Windsor Hotel, *25,O00.
Hyde Block, $4,000.
Washington block, s65,000.
Cannon block, $2O,O00.
Crescent block, 100000.
Moore block, $4,000.
First Natl bank block $25,0OO.
Wolverton block $25,OOO;
Frankfort block, $125,OOO.
Smell block, $4,000;
SPOKANE FALLS, Aug. 8.-The entire
business portion of the city was destroyed
by fire last night. Twenty-Five blocks
were reduced to ashes. The estimated
loss is $14,Oo0,0OO. -
The fire started at Up. m. in a lodging
house on Railroad avenue. The fire do
partnent were OH the scene quickly but
owing to lack of water the fire quickly
spread to al adjoining frame building
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 that the city was doomed.
The fire spread with fearful rapidity.
The tiremen We're powcrless. 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
jumped across First street to frame
building in the next block.
Soon it reached the heart of the city.
A block of two story brick buildings went
next. From here the fire communicated
to the beautiful Hyde block, four story
building, taking in the whole block be-
tween Mill and Howard streets. On the
river side the fire leaped across Howard
and in a few minutes the block between
Howard and Stevens was reduced to ash
es. The next to succumb was the large
Tull block, from here sweeping the solid
brick block adjoining the postoff1ce be-
tween there and Washington street.
Here the fire burned out for 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 across
Riverside avenue to Browns bank, then
both sides Of the avenue were In flames,
The block between this point and Mill
was quickly licked up, including the
Grand hotel.~ From here the fire COM
municated to the adjoining block on the
left. Here was the Frankfort block, the
largest building in the city which cost
$125,000. It withstood the fire for some
time but finally succumbed. The Arling-
ton hotel was the next to go. The build
ing was soon enveloped in flames when a
man was seen to jump from second sto-
ry window. lie arose and started to run
down Howard street when he was over
come by the heat and fell. Several peo-
pie including your correspondent rushed
to his assistance and carried him to q
place of safety, lie was pitiful sight
being literally roasted, his skin peeliug
off all over his body. His name is Chas
Davis. He cannot live.
From the Arlington it travelled north and
consumed the blocks between Howard
Main, Front and Stevens streets, burning
east as far as the latter street, where va
cant lots checked further progress in tina,
direction, hut burned everything In q
northerly direction, including the North
ern Pacific express. Union block and
Windsor hotel were soon a mass of fiery
flames,
The river prevented the fire doing any
further damage and was the cause of sav
ing the big Touring and lumber mills
By this time, the shplt space of three
hours, the fire had consumed everything
in its path reducing to ashes the entire
business portion of the once beautiful
city.
The only business block left standing
is the Crescent building which was saved
by means OF tearing down the intcrven
ing building.
Owing to the rapidity with which the
fire spread scarcely anything was saved
Provisions are scarce aud will last but {
short time.
The city conncil met this morning anl
appointed committee on relief. Provis
ions will be sent for and the needy sup
piled free.
The city superintendent of the watel
works was roasted by the council TO-
neglecting his duty, being away at thu
time of the fire. The big pumps wer'
not connected and ut the time of the fir,
) there was scarcely any pressure. Hat
there been, the fire could have been easil,
got under control.
: The militia are out and in force and al
"a persons without passes are forbidden u
: the burnt districts,
!, Five out OF the seven banks are loin
u business today In the Crescent block.
9 Everybody wears cheerful air an
k bear their losses Dravely.
.r Many business men have already 81!
nified their intentions to rebuild
Charles Davis of Billings, Mont, die
) at noon.