The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-12
THE FIRE AT THE DALLEs.
Desolation OF the Cfty-ReIfef Funds
Could Be Well Expended.


ed beach, to the right long line of lrregu-
lar bluffs of frowning basalt, and IN the
interval barren waste of towering, black
ened shade trees. with now and then the
ruins OF brick structure-this was the
scene presented by The Dalles when a
PosT-INTELLIGEscEg reporter jumped from
a passenger coach at II O'Clock today. On
September nineteen blocks went up in
flames, but the destruction seemed to
cover greater area of ground. A stranger
visiting the scene at night might have i'm
agined that a man-of-war had steamed up
the river and bombarded the city.
The loss of property by the great fire, as
the readers of the Posr-INTELLIGEycEa are
already aware, will reach 100000. To a
place of but 5000 people such loss is
calamity. In moment citizens were COM
PEELED TO rush from their residences and
their business. They saved their lives,
but they saw the flames lick up their
worldly possessions. Had not the wind
died with the coming Of evening the entire
city from the bluff to the water front
would have been destroyed.
The aftermath of this disastrous fire is
pitifu: however, with characteristic pride
The Dalles has refused all proffered aid
The relief committee, appointed the day
following the conhagratiOn, are unani-
nous in declaring that "there is destitu-
ton in The Dalles, 1t IS true, but we will
will not require aid from other cities. We
can alleviate whatever suffering there is
apparent" The committee, however
laudable their pride thus expressed may
be- do not express the sentiments of many
prominent citizens.
The action of the relief committee in re-
fus;ng aid, while quite natural thing for
them to do, is decidedly at variance with
the wishes and desires of many other well
known Dalles citizens. Portland extended
sympathy but it is said the proffered aid
was not received. Following this action
Mr.. +. c. Middleton, a Portland newspa-
per man who is at present connected with
the Wasco Stn, Immediately sent the fol-
lowing dispatch to Mr.. r. F. Osborn, pres
ident of the Portland Chamber of Com
merce:
Home pride prevents The Dalles people from
calling upon others for needed assistance: many
s-e suffering, having lost everything in the fire.
Portland could be OF great assistance and would
willingly aid il the true condition ia known
The relief committee is doing all possible, but
effO. Is TO alleviate distress are circumscribed:
Immediately upon the receipt of the
above dispatch Mr.. Osborn sent an in
quiry to Mr.. A. 5. Macailister. president
of The Dalles Board of Trade, and this
gentleman assumed authority for the dis
tressing situation depicted by Mr.. Middle
ton. while | am confident that the
members of the relief committee are doing
all they cam" said Mr.. Macallister, 81 be-
ieve that it is bad policy to refuse aid. for
when they will be compelled to ask for
funds they will have placed themselves in
an embarrassing position. The people
who have means are doing all in their
power for their less fortunate neighbors
but it is necessary for US to have better as
sistance. There is no actual distress at
present, but there is going to be sickness
and acute suffering unless the situation is
guarded" Mr.. Macalister lost his busi-
ness, his home, furniture, everything, but
he says he is "still on deck" and will
soon be at the helm of his affairs in a
happy frame of mind.
Although am not a resident of The
Dalles," SAID Mr.. Middleton, Il am
familiar enough with the present situation
to express an opinion. The Dalles needs
help and they are going 10 need it bad.
Seattle ought to send voluntary aid. The
funds will be safe in the hands of the COM
mittee. They will not return them nor
Will they make use of the money unless
necessity requires it. The Dales has al
ways been generous when distress has
swooped down on other towns. Two
years ago the people subscribed
$500 for a Fourth of July celebra-
ton. News came that Seattle was
in ashes and her people needed
money. A mass-meeting was called,
motion was made and unanimously passed
app.opriatng the Fourth of July fund for
the Seattle sufferers. Their whole-heart-
edness and ever-ready sympathy was again
eloquently expressed when Spokane was
visited by fire. In few hours $1,000 was
added to the funds in the hands of the re-
lief committee of the needy city. 1t was
just the same when Elensburg was in dis
tress. In a comparatively short time
several hundred dollars was sent to the
needy people. How is this sympathy and
generosity remembered? As a people,
neither of these three cities have inquired
whether aid was needed, nor have they
expressed sympathy. l am certain that
the neglect of duty is due more to thought
lessness rather than from pecuniary rea-
sons"
regarding the reports circulated to the
effect that the city is trembling in reign
of terror; that several incendIaries are of
nightly occurrence. is greatly exaggerated
and Overdrawn. There is no sign of terror
nor IS the city oyerrun with vicious
characters who seize, steal or destroy
whatever comes in their way. The city is
under martial law and is enjoying peace
and quiet
AS vet but feeble effort has been m de al
rebuilding the city. The insurance has not
been adjusted. and this in great measure
accounts for the lack of spirit in this direc-
ton. IL is the unanimous sentiment of
the citizens. however, that the city will be
rebuilt, probably not rapidly but surely.
The restitution is Hostly among me-
Chanics and men Of small though comfort
able means. The merchants who were
burned out are not bankrupt, and all
speak of rebuilding as a matter of course.
There a several merchants who have lost
everything and are in debt, but their
credit Is good and the banks do not hesl-
tate 10 say that no trouble will he had in
securing capital. W. NJ. >.
Portland. Sept. 11--The relief committee ap-
pointed by Mayor Mason 10 raise money for the
sufferers bv The Dailes fire have collected s., 10.
Il = expected more viii be raised.
WALLA NAIIA, sept. lu.-tSpecial IA citi-
zeus' meeting was held today for the purpose OF
helping the people burned out at The Dalles.
There was large attendance, and all were anx-
ious TO assist IL is intended 10 raise $1,000 for
the sufferers The following committee was sp-
pointed to solicit contributions: Mayor J. l.
L Oh xE.-