Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-05
THIS GOAT VAS SINGED.
Fire in Odd Fellows Hall Badly D~isfigures
the Festive Capricornus. Water and
Much Valuable Regalia.

Fire in Odd Fellows Hall Badly Disfiguref
the Festive Capricornus. Water and
Fire Damage the Building and Rnin
Much Valuable Regalia.
At q few minutes after 6 o'clock yester'
day evening smoke was seen issuing from
the windows OF the second story of Odd
Fellows hall on West Broadway, adioin.
ing Maguire's Opera house on the west.
An alarm was sounded, and the fremen
were soon on hand, but in some way
the water was directed against the front OF
the opera house, and a couple OF streams
were turned against the. windows OF the
third story, and the inside of the building
thoroughly drenched before it was discov-
cred that it was a waste of water and USE
less damage to property. Finally ladders
were procured, and q stream was gotten
through the west window of the building in
which the fire was. Two more streams
were gotten through the adjoining build
ing, but 80 much time had been lost in
doing so that it looked for a while as if the
building was certainly doomed, as the
smoke continued to issue from the
windows in volumes which appeared
to grew denser every moment. The nozzle.
men directing the streams stood to their
posts, however, and after playing into the
building for some time the smoke began to
decrease and they were able to venture
inside with the streams. Another line OF
hose was laid in tie rear but could not be
used as it was Impossible to get water into
the building. After flooding the building
for fully half an hour the smoke ceased and
the firemen and others who entered the
room found that the fire was out. The
water was then turned off.
Thomas Stees, the ~janitor, discovered
the fire and gave the first alarm. He said
that the fire originated on the second floor
in a wardrobe in the front of the building,
used by the P. o. s. A. who meet in the
hall, which they rent from Fidelity Lodge,
|. O.. o. T., by whom the building is owned.
As the hall was locked and also the ward
robe in which the fire began. the theory of
incendiarism is untenable. 1t is thought
that mice nibbling a. come matches in the
wardrobe started the blaze.
The loss by fire is nominal, as as no time
ulu Cne IRE GET OuG OF Gne small room IN
which the wardrobe stood. The damage
by water, however, is great, for not only
were the ante-rooms in the front OF the
building flooded, but the main hail or lodge
was also filled with water, and about
everything the room contained was COM
ruined.
On the first floor is M. G. Cohen's COM.
mission house. The damage done by water
to his stock is also great, but is fully
by insurance. The stock and fix
lures were insured for $12, 500, which, it is
will cover all loss.
The Odd Fellows carried $12, 900 on the
building and ~regalia, and it is estimated
this will about cover the loss, al
though it vas impossible last night to esti-
the damage done, owing to the dark
ness, smoke and water which filled the hall.
Mr.. Steess, who, with his family, occupied
the third story, will lose considerable by |
water, as it was thought that the greater |
portion of his furniture, clothing and house.
1old goods we're ruined.
The way in which the fire was |
indie gave rise to much discussion and |
; great many censured the fremen, |
others defended them, saying that they did |
he best they could under the circum-
'tances. One thing, however, remains, the
OF the opera house was subjected
20 the flooding process without doing any
God and without being necessary. How
ouch Mr.. Maguire's loss ill be is not now
,nown.