The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-17
LICKED UP BIZ FLAMES
A $1,000 Fire in the Tented
District Yesterday.
TWO CANVAS HOUSES BURNED.
Narrow Escape Fron q conaasration-
nmSck work o. the FIremen-AeeH-
dents-Losses and Insurance.

A IRE broke ont in the row OF tents on
the east side Of south Second street. be-
tween Yezier avenue and Washington
street. ahcut haif-pasf four O'Clock yester-
day afternoon. and totally destroyed two
Of the frail canyas-baekei structures with
Their stocks ard did considerable damage
70 q third Before the arrival Of the IRE
department il looked as II the entire rev
would 30. and merchants who had valna-
bic stocks under cloth covers On 1esler
avenue, between South Second and South
Third. and on South Third between Yesler
avenue and Washington streets, COM
menced preparing 70 NOSE. II took only
a few minutes, however. for the depart
ment to get the flames under control and
quiet ali fears Of general confiagratiOn.
The fire originated in the rear entrance
OF Charles McCormiek's Reception sa-
loon, which occupied the most southeriy
tent on the east side Of the street, north OF
Main. The rear end OF the tent was 0ccu-
pied by Mr. Mccormick and his family as
a residence. Just how the FIRE started IS
not known, but il is supposed that the can
vas roof took fire from a pipe running
through il from the kitchen stove.
Neither Mr. Mccormick nor his wife were
aware that the tent was on fire until fhe
whole rear end was Ia flames and a work
man on the w. III. Cowie brick building
adjoining It on the south gave the alarm.
In the meantime Officer Ramage. who was
standing on the corner Of Cherry and Sec
ond streets, had seen the flames. He At
once ran 10 the Postal Telegraph Office and
sent In an alarm 10 the Ere department.
Hook and ladder company No. l was on
the ground first at 40. Engine No.
came a few moments later, followed by
hose truck No. q Hose truck No. ar
rived from North Seattle at 40. but the
fire was then thoroughly under control
and the boys returned without running out
their hose
Before the first detachment of firemen
had arrived McCormiek's saloon and Joe
Hoesleeh's secondhand clothing store adj
joining is on the north were completely en-
veloped In flames, which were spreading 10
G. II. Eox's star" saloon. next on the
north, when the department arrived. The
engine was stationed at the plug on the
corner Of Washington and South Second
streets, and the iiremen went TO work
promptly and with good effect under the
utes time the fire was under control. bat
not before the canvas side of the Star ss-
loon had been burned ont. The fire was
entirely extinguished at O'Clock, and the
engine. hose truck, hook and ladder team
and firemen returned to headquarters.
The pressure on the hydrant of rs
pounds proved too great for the three fire.
men who had hold OF the nozzle. and the
a..
and knocked over quite number in the
crowd. . few OF whom received bruises by
the sudden fall they got. At this time ex-
Chief Mcdonald and ex- First Assistant Nu-
nan and several other members OF the old
department. who had been standing by,
thinking that help sssas needed on the ser
vice pipe. jumped in to assist. but they
we're waved back by Chief Kellogg, whe
nGarshaled his men and soon had the re-
fractory stream thrown in the right direc-
ton.
Mccormick managed TO rel about 81 500
worth Of barrel and case liquors out OF the
tent. His total loss on tent. stock and
household goods is about s., 600. He carried
no insurance.
Very little Of Joe Hoeslech's miscei-
ianeous stock was saved and what was car
Fied out was badly damaged by water. He
estimates his loss ID 5000. lie holds poll
oles for 81 900 in the following companies
North Pacific Insurance Company Of Ia
coma. $50; 81 Paul German Insurance
Company, $50; Northwest Fire and Ma.
rlne Insurance Company of Portland,
$500. The last named policy i in the name
Of Louis Bernstein. who was Hoeslechs
predecessor in the ownership OF the store.
c. II. Fox's loss by damage to the Star
saloon Is estimated at sio0. be carries no
insurance.
During the fire a number Of cartridges in
a showcase in Hoesleeh's store exploded
and few bullets struck some oil the by
ISLANDERS. knocking one or two over and
giving one a severe scalp wound, which
rendered him unconscious for few min
ates.
As soon as Il was safe one OF the electric
light company's men cut of the electric
light, which had been burning in front OF
McCormick's tent all Che time the firemen
were AZ work. At one time the stream OF
water struck the lamp. breaking piece
cut OF the hack of the globe. Chief nei-
lorg said Unexpected to see some OF the tire.
men damaged by the effects OF the current,
but fortunately none OF them we're shocked.
The policemen kept sharp lookout for
thieves. but the only ones arrested were
two bows named Clarence sheldon and
Frank Richard. They were caught by
Officers Phillips and Rogers in attempting
Go 5orce an entrance under Mccormick
tent, and we're uachesi 70 headquarters.
The hook and ladder team Was accorded
praise for the grand time made and for ar.
irving on the scene hrst The hose wagon
also made pretty run.