The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1891-10-30
THE CONFEDERATION,
The Hotel Minnekahta in Ashes.
LOSS ESTIMATED AT 800, 100000,

This morning between ono and two
o'clock the night watchman IN the
town awakened the people along East
River avenue with the cry OF Fire
Walter Gilbert, of the firm of Gilbert
& Wilcox, hastily descended from his
room in the Opera block and learning
that the Minnekahta Hotel was on fire
shot his revolver to awaken all within
hearing. John Gillespie and Charley
Bentley quickly responded, and on
reaching the hotel, though no flames
were visible, the smoke was pouring
in dense volume from the cellar win
dows. The bell boy states that he was
| called several times by some of the
lady guests who told him they smelled
something burning, bnt he failed to
discover fire anywhere in the building.
The guests were all awakened, but by
this time the building was so full of
smoke that no one could descend the
stairway. They we're all led out onto
the south portico and there awaited
tho arrival Of ladders, which were
hastily brought and the frightened
guests and help we're safely placed up
on the ground.
The flames soon burst forth in all
| their raging 6erceness and in an in
credibly short time the whole building
was seething mass of fire. So fast
did the dry lumber burn that but very
few of the guests saved anything at
all. In fact but very little furniture
baggage, clothing, or anything else
was saved. The hotel and contents
! were entirely consumed. This morn.
ing nothing remained of the fine hotel
building buta heap of smoulderin &
ashes and the tall chimney on the
north end. For fear the chimney
might fall and do some harm it was
tipped over into the ruins.
The plate glass in the doors and
! windows of the south end of the opera
block was cracked and broken in many
places by the intense heat. Joray's
photograph gallery, in the rear Of the
hotel is badly scorchcd, as is also the
barn, little farther back. No build.
ings but the hotel itself suffered any
| serious damage. A slight breeze was
blowing from the north which carried
the sparks and burning embers to the
lower town where they resembled 6
shower Of meteors as they fell to thu
ground.
The guests Of the hotel, of whom
there were quite number, are quar-
tered at the Gillespie.
Don Porter, the proprietor, and Mrs
Porter are in Deadwood visiting som,
relatives who are reported to be quit,
ill. Mrs. Potter. the worthy mother
of Don, and her two grandchildren
Mamie and Sam, are temporarily quar-
tered at the Gillespie.
4 The Minnekahta was largest hote
in the city and is well known through
out the country among tourists ant
pleasure seekers. 1t was the first larg
hotel built aud cost about $50, 900. TIL
insurance on the building was onl,
$4,000. In the absence Of Mr.. Porte
it was not learned how much lnsuranc
was carried on the furniture. The to
tai loss is estimated at 100000.
All that can be LEANED of the origil
of the fire is that it was first discover
ed in the cellar,an it is presumed the
the building caught from the furnac
used for heating the boilers, as tn
building was heated with steam. Th
; early hour in the morning at whic
fire took place, of course, found every
body in their soundest sleep. The onl
alarm that could be sounded washeare
but by the people. The citizens of th
lower town, nor those on the Hill kue,
anything of the fire until this morning
Except those residing in the immed
ate neighborhood there was no aid a
hand. Those who were at hand worl
ed manfully to rescue the inmates an
saved what they could of the furniture
The personal losses of the guests al
of some magnitude as all lost more c
less in money, jewellery and clothe
one of the laundry girls is reported I
have lost 5000, and the cook report
his loss at $500, all in money. Othe
minor losses were incurred by th
other help as we'll as by the guests.
4 BY this fire Hot Spring loses one {
her grandest attractions, and it also d,
prives her of ono of her most con
modious hotels. The many who ha,
visited the Hot Springs in their pri
tine glory will be sorry to learn of tn
disaster. tits severe blow to IL
| prosperity of her fair City.
/ A colored divine has discovered he
! at a point about ffty.two miles belo
the earth's surface. He ueglects /,
note the exceptions, where it breal
| &l,.o,,.l, Al - ,s..,k .-S l.. Il,