Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-08-16
A CITY IN ASHES.
Spokane Falls, Washington, De-
strOyed by Fire.
Twenty-Five Blocks Burned,
Causing a Loss Of Sl4, 100000

Spokane Falls, city Of 20, 900 inhabitants
and one of the most prominent towns in the
new State of Washington, has been almost
completely destroyed by fire.
Twenty-Five blocks were reduced to ashes
The estimated loss is $14 600, 600. The fire
started at P. NJ. in a lodging house on Rail
road avenue. The Fire Department came on
the scene quickly, but owing to lack Of
water the fire quickly spread to adjoining
frame buildings, and y dS soon beyond control.
The flames then jumped across the street
to the Russ House and the Pacific Hotel.
By this time a strong wind sprung up, and
it was evident the city was doomed The
flames spread with fearful rapidity. The
firemen were pOweriesS. Attempts were made
to check the fire by blowing up buildings in
is path, but it was useless. From the Pacific
Hotel the fire swept across First street TO the
frame buildings in the next block, and soon it
reached the heart Of the city.
The block Of twO-stOry buildings on River
side avenue was easily carried away. From
here the fire communicated to the magniti-
cent Hyde block a fOUr-story building, tax
ing in the whole square between Mill and
Howard streets Riverside avenue.
The fire next leaped across Howard
street, and in few minutes the
block between Howard and Stevens
streets was a mass of red-hOt ashes. The
next structure to succumb was the large Tult
block. From there the confagratiOn went
whirIing through the solid blocks of four
story brick buildings including the PostOf-
fee, between Stevens and Washington
streets. At this point the fire burned out
from lack of material
From the place of origin the fire had mean
while 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, includ-
ing the Grand Hotel. From here the waves
of flame poured into the adjoining square
on the right, containing the Frankfurt
block, the largest building in the city. The
Frankfurt cost $3.50 900. 1t withstood the
fire for some time, but finally burned.
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 over
come by the heat and fell. Several people
rushed to his assistance and carried him to
place of safety. He pitiable sight,
having been literally roasted alive, the skin
pealing off all over his body. The unfOrtu-
nate mans name was Charles Davis. He
died at noon that day.
NOrthward was the direction taken by the
fire from the Arlington. It consumed 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 that direction.
Everyt thing in a nOrtherly direction includ-
ing the Northern Pacific Express office tie
Union block and the Windsor Hotel was
soon mass of flames The river prevented
the fire doing further damage, and was the
means of saving all the big Touring and
lumber mills. Three hours sufficed to COM
plete the awful destruction.
The only business block left standing in the
city the Crescent building, which was
saved by means of tearing down intervening
buildings. Owing TO the rapiditY with which
the fire spread, little was saved. Provisions
were scarce and could last only short time.
The City Council appointed committee
relief 1t 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 a result there was scarcely any pressure.
Had the contrary been the case, the fire
would have been easily gotten under control.
The militia called out in force, and all
persons without passes were forbidden to
enter the burned district. Five out Of the
seven banks destroyed were again doing
business during the day, all being in the Ores
cent block, the only business structure left
standing
The business district was in strip between
the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks and the
Spokane River. This strip was five squares
across, and extended about seven squares in
length. It was solidly built up with stone and
brick structures, the cost Of which varied
from S50.UOO to S220,O len banking
houses, five hotels, the Opera House, and
many wholesale establishments, doing a
business estimated at $500. 900 each, were in
the district described.
Spokane Falls is the first town of import
ance in Washington Territory when ap-
preached from the East on the Northern
Pacific Railroad. 1t is the oldest town III that
part Of the Territory, and the only
one that preceded the great railroad
Located upon the gravelly plain, just
above the point where Hangnnan's Greek
unites with the Spokane River, it commands
& beautiful view of the surrounding hills
Its proximity to a great water power early
attracted the attention Of settlers, whose
faith il the value Of real estate there has been
rewarded with generous fortunes.
The many fouring-1nills and saw-mills are
abundantly supplied with the products of the
fields and forests far and near. Other forms
of manufacturing are in fourishing condi
ton, and it is estimated that the
town before the fire had a popula-
ton of about twenty thousand people. 1t
had fine hotels, handsome stores and well
built schoolhouses. One feature Of the town
was the fact that its inhabitants were mover
taxed for pavements and never troubled with
mud, the streets having been beautifully
macadanlized by nature