The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-08-10
REDUCED TO ASHES.
SPOKANE FALLS, WASHINGTON TER
RITORY, VISITED BY FIRE.
THE BUSINESS PART OF THE CITY GONE.
sEVERALLIVEs SACRIFICED
THE MONEY Losses ESTIMATED AT FOUR
TEEN MILLIONS

HELENA, Mont, Aug. 5.-The city of
Spokane Falls, w. T., is burned to the
ground by fire which started last night,
Details of the destruction were hard to
obtain this morning. The news OF the
virtual wiping out of the city came
through the Western Union Telegraph
Company's officials here. They report
the telegraph office i'll Spokane as having
been swept out of existence. Every eff
fort was being made, they stated, to re-
store communication, but when success
could be attained they could not say.
Spokane was one of the most prominent
of the many new cities in the infant State
of Washington. Situated on the line of
the Northern Pacific Railroad, close TO
the Cour d Alene mining region, the city
has been the site for many large nous
trial establishments, such as smelters and
kindred enterprises. Expensive public
edifices had also been recently erected
and the population was easily supporting
two prosperous daily papers.
The business district of spokane was IN
strip betwe cen the North Pacific Rail
road tracks and the Spokane river. This
strip was five squares across, and extend
ed about seven squares in length. 1t was
solidly built up with brick and stone
structures, the cost of which varied from
$25, 900 to 1925, 900. Ten banking houses,
five hoJels, the opera house and many
wholesale establishments, doing BUSH
ness estimated at half million dollars
each, were situated within the district
described. The population of the city is
about 20, 900. The city possessed an ex-
cellent water works, modelled after the
Holly system, with a capacity of 9.000,-
600 gallons daily. There were no fire en-
gines, but by the system in use five or
six good sized streams of water could be
concentrated upon any block in case of
fire. The fire department was volun-
teer one. AS to insurance, the best infor-
nation here is that no large amounts
were carried. Buildings that cost $50
600 to $40 900 are known to have had but
SO. 900 to s1O,O insurance.
The chief losses, as nearly as can be
inferred from the reports that have
reached Helena, were as follows:
Holly, Mason, Marks & Co., wholesale
hardware $125 coo; The Great Eastern
Wholesale and Retail dry goods house,
800, 600; the white House" dry goods
house. $4,000; Lowenburg Bros, 500,
900; Benham & Griffith, wholesale gro
GERS, $40 600; Mason, Smith & Co., gro
GERS, $40, Pacific Hotel, $40. 900
Grand Hotel, $40 600; Windsor, $25 900;
Hide Block, SIS, 900; Washington Block,
s65, 600; Crescent, $50, 900; Cannon Block,
$50, 600; Moore Block, $50 900; First Ma
tional Bank Block, S25, 900; Wolvertou
Block, S25, 900; Frankfort Block, $125,
900; Tull Block, S75, 1000.
SPOKANE FALLS, W. T., August o
Twenty blocks were reduced to ashes
The estimated loss is $14, 900, 900.
Owing to a lack of water the fire
quickly spread, and was soon beyond
control 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 useless.
The Arlington Hotel was enveloped in
flames. Suddenly a 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 place of safety. He
was a pitiabe sight, having 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.
Three hours sufficed to complete the
awful destruction. The only business
block left standing in the city is the Cres-
cent Building, which was saved by means
of tearing down intervening buildings.
Owing to the rapidity with which the
fire spread scarcely anything was saved.
Provisions are scarce, and will last only
short time.
The City Council met this morning and
appointed a committee on relief. 1t was
decided that provisions 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 out in force, and all per.
sons without passes are forbidden to enter
the burnt district. Five out of the seven
banks destroyed were again doing bust.
ness to-day, all being located in the Cres-
cent Block, the only business structure
left standing.
Notwithstanding the extent of the ca
lamity, the people wear cheerful air and
bear their losses bravely. Many business
men have already signified their inten-
ton to rebuild.