Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-06


The Prosperous City of Enensburg Al
most Observation-Disclosures People.
ELLENsBURG (W. IT,. July 5th.-Ten
blocks Of the best portion OF this city is in
ashes Nearly a hundred families are
homeless, and what was yesterday thriv-
ing business center IS now mass of
smoldering ruins.
Owing to the excitement and confusion
it is impossible to ascertain how the fire
originated, but it is presumed it was the
result of the celebration of the national
holiday, as it started soon after the display
of fireworks last evening. The flames
started on the north side of the city about
10 o'clock in the evening and with q very
strong wind blowing from the northeast, it
spread rapidly.
The fire department was promptly called
out, but could do nothing to check the
rapid advance of the conhagration, which
within an hour had spread to the business
center. Help was telegraphed for from
neighboring towns, but long before it could
reach the scene the flames had literally
wiped out the heart of the city and COM
meuced its spread among the residences on
the south side. Not until the main por-
ton of the food for the fire had been con-
-sumed were there any signs of its abate-
ment, and it was nearly morning before
the firemen secured any result from their
tireless efforts.
The cessation of the winds had tend
ency to aid the tiremen in checking the
progress of the fire, and at this hour it is
thought the flames are under control or
will be confined to the buildings now burn
ing.
While it is impossible to form any close
approximation of the amount of loss it is
estimated the sum will run up to many
hundred thousand dollars.
All of the leading hotels, the handsome
opera house block, city hall, Board of
Trade building, Snipe and Co.'S bank, in
fact all the business blocks on Pine Pear,
Third, Fourth and Fifth streets were con-
sumed excepting only the First National
Bank Building, Bloomer & O'Connor's dry
goods house, H. Goezein's boot and shoe
store, one saloon and one general store
Only these latter buildings remain to mark
the spot where fiourished yesterday pros
porous business center.
The number of residences DESTROYED can
not now be estimated but il is known that
over 100 families are homeless and with
nothing left save few scant clothes. Help
has been asked and is badly needed, not
only in suppressing the fire but in caring
for the homeless victims of the confiagra-
ton.
Letters of sympathy and proffers of aid
=
ing Mayor Reed of North Yakima arrived
with carload of provisions and ST. 900 in
money.
The kind offers of the generous public
have been thankfully received, and while
the most hopeful thought the citizens
might be able to get along without assist
-ance, the contemplated terrible calamity
-convinces them of their error.
They have had time to visit the deyas-
fafa a2 rNla Af h,,e,, !
find the losses even greater than at first re-
ported. While the losses foot up about
$2000,0 600, the insurance is not over one
fourth of that amount Those who visited
Seattle after the great fire say The burnt
district here shows greater destruction in
property in less space.
The Citizens Committee made canvass
of the city this afternoon and made tenn
porary provision for the care of the suffer
ers, the more fortunate throwing their
doors open to the unfortunate. The same
committee arranged to give work to all
who desire it in clearing the wreck from
the lots and streets. Those refusing will
be requested to move on.
A special meeting of the City Council
was held this evening to take action re-
gsrding the fire limits and the character OF
buildings to be erected therein. 1t was the
unanimous sentiment that the fire limit be
maintained and nothing but iron, stone
and brick be used in construction.
The determination is to make the future
Eilensburg as near dre-proof as possible
The household goods which have been
collected by special police were placed in
store-houses and yards where the owners
can call and secure them. This method
prevented pilfering.
j. B. Fogarty, general merchandise, has
resumed business in tent. Fortunately
he had two cars of provisions on the way
which arrived to-day. \
Lloyd's Mercantile Company will also
resume in few days in the new City Hall
Nelson Bennett and E. T. Wilson go to
Tacoma tonight for goods and will resume
Immediately.
The Odd Fellows have called meeting
for tomorrow TO take action about build
ing at once. The Masons do the same.
1mpes & Co., bankers, who had the finest
cut stone building III the Northwest, are
awaiting the cooling of of the walls to gel
into the vault, and will resume business in
temporary qualters in the National Bank
building.
Brick-masons will resume work to-mor.
row on all unfinished buildings and finish
them as soon as possible.
The same spirit prevails aTong al
classes, and all who can borrow money
win build. The Postoffice, which was
burned, losing all the boxes, moved into
the Lynch Block this morning. The
Western Union Telegraph office, which
burned with the ASHER Hotel, reopened
its Office in Corruth's lumber Office and i:
jammed with Commercial Press business
A. S. Holbrook, a real estate dealer
when the fire was burning in the ASHER
Hotel, entered the building TO arouse tht
guests. On attempting to return. his egress
was cut off by the flames, when he jumped
from q third story window, and was picked
Up fesrfully burned and bruised A crowC
collected on the spot formerly occupied BY
the Gull Block examining the bones o.
what is supposed 10 be the remains of ont
of the guests. They were so badly charrec
that the physicians were unable to deter
mine them.
A strong patrol has been kept up to
night, and extra precaution will be takeI
against further incendiarism.
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
ORGANIZATION of the Convention to Adop