The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-24
g "A. NJ.
WEST SEATTLE FIRE.
Geo. T. Myers Cannery Burned
in Early Morning.
Loss ABOUT TWENTY THOUSAND
The sentineIs ON the Charleston Treated
to IIlumfnation of the Harbor-
Noted Landmark Gone.
LOSS ABOUT TWENTY THOUSAND

At ten minutes to o'clock this morn
a bright light sprung up on the waters
edge at West Seattle.
At first itlooked like wood pile blaze,
but a moment later the flames mounted
highea, lighting up the harbor so that the
war ship Charleston stood out in bold re-
lief.
A big crowd gathered at the wharf.
" lis the ferryboat Slip" cried the
watchman on Yesler's wharf, "aRd the
boat is there, too, be added.
And il looked like it was the ferry slip.
too, and word to that effect was sent to
Colonel Thomas Ewing, owner of the slips
and boat.
Then the Waterman changed his mind.
Locations. he said, could not be judged in
the darkness, and he thought it must be
the wheat elevators.
1t was at once passed around that the
wheat elevator was burning.
A moment later the whistle Of the ferry
boat was heard and her lights were seen
coming out of the slip. Then it was known
that the slip and boat were safe. and, judg-
ing from their location. the FIRE was known
ff, ho ot mr. we've, oarv,o~,,
The whole building burned like finder,
and the whole western sky was of rudy
hue. Flames leaped fully hundred feet
in air, and the smoke was soon blown
clear across the harbor by the early morn
ing breeze. The Charleston disappeared
in cloud of smoke. and only the lights
could be seen.
The fire department was notified when
the City of Seattle left her slip, and the
chemical engine and engine No. I, with a
tender, were sent to the slip.
When the boat arrived the captain said
there was urgent need of the fire depart
ment, as the flames were spreading toward
the ferry slip.
Between the cannery and the ground is
made up largely of slabs and sawdust in
which the FIRE would run like a race horse.
The wind had veered to the southwark
carrying burning brands straight toward
the slip and Robertson's lumber yard adj
joining it.
The engines were run onto the boat and
a moment later she steamed across the har-
Dor at her best speed.s
Men on the boat said the FIRE was FIRST
discovered at 4:10. 1t was then but
small blaze and in the rear of the bU.adine.
but it spread with incredible rapidly.
The boat was in tie slip aud her fires
were banked. Her officers were awakened
and went to work with will Steam was
in less than ten minutes and the trim
across was made in seven minutes.
The boat arrived at West Seattle with the
fire department at 40. The fire at the
cannery was then commencing to wane.
but it was spreading to the south.
Ten minutes later the work of the fire de-
partment could be plainly told on this side
of the water, for the fire was no longer
spreading.
Myers cannery was an historic land
mark at Freeport. 1t had been standing
for years. 1t was very large building
and was well equipped with canning ma
chinery.
The season was about to open and forty
men were at work getting the cannery and
nets in repair Tor the season.
The loss on building. machinery. nets.
etc., is at least $4,000.
Had it not been for the fire department
property of the West Seattle Improvement
Company, worth about $4,000, Robertson,s
lumber yard with a stock OF 5000 and
other property would probably have been
destroyed.
The cause OF the fire is unknown.
One of the crew of the ferry-boat said
the engines had been running during the
afternoon and that the fire probably caught
from the furnaces.
At 4:55. the fire is practically out.
Its Obvious Purpose.
Chicago Tribune.
Johnny Cooking atlightning rod on barn.