The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-15

The Town Of Boulevard Has Very Mar
row Escape
A good portion of the settlement At
boulevard. Smiths Cove. came near being
wiped out Of existence by IRE yesterday
through the selfshness and careleesness OF
. man who was clearing two lots in Gii-
mans addition.
A large force of men has been at work
clearing fifty acres in GiIman's addition.
just south Of Salmon bay and north Of the
boulevard. for several weeks and had the
ground nearly all ready for
slashing. \ was decided. however.
that II would be best not to burn the slash
ing for several weeks. ~ the timber was
still green and the prevailing winds were
such . would drive the flames toward the
settlement along Boulevard avenue A
man name Lind, who had the contract for
clearing two lots in the northern end Of the
addition was determined, however. TO
burn them of at once. Matt ]. McEiroy,
who had charge of the large clearing.
warned him not to attempt it; but he per-
sisted in his original intention and yester-
day touched match TO the brush.
The flames could not be confined to the
two lots, however. They spread with
alarming rapidity to the adjoining slash
ing, and being aided by strong breeze,
blowing up Salmon bay. ran with race
horse speed toward the group Of houses,
near the Boulevard.
Matt McElroy. Is soon ~ he saw the
flames spreading. organized bis crew of
100 men into . FIRE brigade and
commenced fighting the flames. Counter
fires were started around each of the dozen
or more houses in the direct path of the
flames, and all OF the tactics usually em-
ployed in fighting prairie and forest fires
were resorted to. By hard work strips
around all Of the houses were burned away
so that the flames could not reach them on
the ground.
But new danger menaced them. The
air was full Of flying cinders, aud burning
pieces of wood were borne by the wind for
hundreds of yards. 1t appeared for time
IS If Henry Erickson's house and several
Others adjoining were doomed. and they
were hastily emptied OF household goods.
A determined fight was kept up, however,
for three hours by q bucket brigade
women and children carrying water for the
men 70 pour on the roofs Of the buildings
In this way all Of the houses we're saved.
Mr.. McElroy and his men. aided by house
holders. fully 10000 worth Of property
would have been destroyed.
The premature burning Of the fifty acres
Of slashing will entail damage upon the
Gilman Addition Company of at least
$1,000, a. only the lighter brush was de-
stroyed. making it necessary to clear off
the remainder by hand.
At6:30 o'clock the heavy wind subsidized,
and light breeze from Smiths cove car
ried the smoke toward Salmon bay. per-
hitting . better fight of She fire to be
made. BY the concentration of the force
engaged in putting the fire out. at different
points. at different times. mastery
was finally obtained and the con-
trolled flames soon completely ex-
tinguished. The burnt district presented
dismal aspect at dusk. On the whole fifty
acres hardly single thing was left unde-
stroyed by the fire. Here and there . log
could be seen still ablaze. but rs there was
no danger Of their further spreading the
fire. they were left untouched.