The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-15

CURED at most unfortunate time, owing to the
fact that the fire engine was out of repairs and
therefore useless 1t was broken during prac-
tice several days ago, and for some reason had
not been repaired.
As far as can be ascertained, the FIRE was
caused by the explosion of q coal oil lamp in
one of the upper rooms of the hotel. There
were over q hundred guests in the building at
the time, all of whom miraculously escaped
with their lives, but many lost their clothing.
For q while q regular panic prevailed in and
around the building. Frightened people jumped
from the hotel windows, others rushed down
stairs into the street half clad and barefooted,
or attired only in their night-clothes. 1t was q
wonder that no lives were lost, for many Of the
guests, upon being aroused from slumber only
to find the hotel enveloped in flames, became 80
alarmed and confused that it was task OF great
difficulty to get them safely out of the rapidly
burning building
People from all directions rushed to the ere,
and willing hands began carrying out what
furniture could be gotten hold OF, but so quickly
did the flames spread, and so intense became the
heat about the building that further attempts ct
saving the furniture were abandoned, and the
people turned their attention to saving the con-
tents OF the buildings adjoining. While some
were carrying out goods, others formed bucket
brigades from the river to the fire and vigorous
efforts were made to keep the flames confined to
the block in which it was burning.
The steamer Henry Bailey, which was lying at
the wharf. rendered valuable assistance, and her
captain and crew worked well and faithfully to
check the devouring element, and but for the
successful manner in which they fought the
fire everything between Main street and the
river would have been destroyed. The steamer
had only arrived a short time before the
fire and her boilers were still hot, so
it did not take long to get up steam and put her
pumps to working. The hose belonging to the
Hpn Dana rfrrYarN atAA 80 A.
plug, but as there was no reverse coupling on
the boat or in possession of the fire department,
the nozzle could not be put on. The hose was
carried to the top of the steamboat warehouse
across the street, however, and a stream OF water
was poured over the burning buildings. Some
OF the crew of the Henry Bailey were playing
game OF cards when the first alarm was
sounded. They hastily awakened the officers,
and Captain lie Ballister put the whole force to
work to save the town from destruction Some
very commendabe acts OF heroism were per-
formed by members of the steamers crew
When the fire was at its height and
all hopes of checking its ravages had
been abandoned, Herbert Combs, one of the
deck hands stood on the roof of the warehouse,
which was already beginning to burn, and
fought the ire. He was joined by Mart Branti-
gan, the boats fireman, and Jack McGraw,
another deck hand. These three men took the
hose and poured water onto the flames below.
oHo eNeh nn-u the nre spread beneath them and
around them, and bystanders urged them to
leave their dangerous position they brayed the
perils and endured the heat. On several occa-
sions, when the heat became so intense that the
Clothing of these men began to smoke they
turned the hose on one another and kept AT
their post of duty, fighting fire. Combs face
was somewhat burned, but otherwise no iniur-
les were sustained Mate Shafer also worked
indefatigably and with splendid judgment
The good work OF the Henry Bailey's crew
doubtless saved much valuable property from
destruction. In the warehouse which came 80
near burning, there was $4,000 electric light
plant Tor Mount Vernon, which had lust been
received, and about $1,000 worth of unclaimed
freight The steamers Lily and Indiana were AZ
the wharf. but as their boilers were cold IL took
some time TO get up steam. They got to work
and rendered valuable assistance in checking
the flames along the water front
Among the losses was the old Flagstaff which
had stood in the street near the hotel for thir-
teen years and was highly priced by the people
OF Mount Vernon. 1t was an immense cedar
tree l57 feet from ground TO ball, and was be-
Iieved TO be the tallest flagstaff in the world
The losses As near can be estimated were m
follows:
A. Ford, Washington hotel and other build