, 1889-06-13
THE BUSINESS PORTION OF
The CITY REDUCED
TO ASHES.
PORT TOWNSEND CALLED UPON
FOR ASSISTANCE.
An ENGINEER BURNED TO
DEATH.

About four O'Clock I'm. Thursday Z teie-
gram was received from the chief of the
Seattle fire department, asking for as
| sistance from this city, that Seattle was
| in danger OF destruction by fire. Mr.. D..
Hill, chief OF the Port Townsend fire de-
partment, at once consulted with Mayor
Learned, and it was deemed advisable to
send twenty men and five hundred feet
OF hose. At the time OF the notification
here of the fire, there was not in the har-
Dor any means OF sending the firemen to
Seattle. The Louise, which was at
Hadlock, was telegraphed for, but be-
fore she reached the dock the tug Taco
ma hove in sight. 1t was thought that
the tug had been sent here from Seattle,
for the purpose OF taking our firemen to
the scene of the confagration, but such
was not the case, however, as the tug
left Seattle before the fire broke out.
Capt. Nichols was Immediately requested
TO convey the firemen TO Seattle, which
he willingly consented to do. At six
O'Clock the tug left the dock, and, with
favorable circumstances, should have
reached Seattle by ten O'Clock.
We learn that the fire began at Fourth
and Madison streets, and continued down
Front street, consuming in its onward
course the most prominent husi-
ness houses in the city. Frye's opera
house is destroyed, Toklas and Quiger-
mans large dry goods store is, we are
informed, fallen prey to the flames.
The telegraph Office being in the track OF
the fiery fiend, it was necessary to leave
the office
The Occidental hotel has succumbed
to the elements, and SO has the Yesler
and Leary block. One by one has Sc
attle's fine buildings been licked up by
tho flames. The fire has consumed the
major portion OF the buildings on Wash
ington street, and has continued its
course to Commercial street. The Post
Intelligencer has been compelled to
| move from its quarters. AS the best
buildings OF the city have been consumed,
! buildings, which owing to the nature Of
the material with which they were com
posed, brick, stone and iron, it is now al
most impossible to stop the progress O.
the fire, as it is now only frame build
ings that opposes the course of the fiery
element. All of the prominent news
papers have either been destroyed o.
been compelled to remove to other quar-
tiers. The principal banks were in tn,
wake Of the fire, and beyond doubt hav,
been consumed, and thus Seattle is Grip
pied financially. The banks are tn,
Merchants, Commercial, Guarantee Com
Washington Savings Bank and Dexter
Horton and Company. The coal bunkera
near the Oregon Improvement city dock
were burning at the hour OF going {,
press, and thus the docks and whayc
are in DANCE OF destruction.
\ 1t is reported that the Arlington ant
Brunswick hotels have met fate lik
the Occidental.
Victoria was telegraphed for assisi
ance, and the Potter LETT there about te
o'clock last night. having on board
steam fire engine.
The above is the extent OF the informa
ton that We can gain up to the hour {
going to press.
Much sympathy is expressed ON q
hands for Seattle in her hour OF deepes
misfortune. Her growth viii doubles
be retarded, vet, she may, phoenix Ike
rise from her ashes and he more gran
, city. We hope that the loss is cxaG
gerated, but feel, as we look toward til
D flames mantling the heavens, that OF
: hopes are vain.
LATER.-From gentlemen who arrive
D rycIn the ill-fated city at 40 this morn
; ing, We learn that the fire swept ever
building in the business portio1|