Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-04-13
The Democrats are Beginning
Work.
CURTIS WAS MURDERED At PORTLAND
From Coke District, Huston has
Resigned at Last, Blaine has not
Sent His Answer to Italy, Late
News from all Parts, Etc.
BIG CHICAGO FIRE.

here since the big fire of 1871. The
loss is fully 100000. 1t was at
almost the geographical center of
the city that the flames started, and
like the terrible disaster of twenty
years ago, began in a stable. In
this case the stable was the property
of the well-kown furniture manu-
facturer and politician, John NJ.
Smy tia, and was located in the rear
of his big house-furnishing estab-
lishment, on West Madison street,
near HaIstead. The. flames speed
lily communicated to the furniture
establishment, and a moment later
TO Kobe q MiddIton's dime muse
um. A general alarm to the fire
department was soon followed by a
special call for engines as the fire
was seen to be gaining ground With
extraordinary rapidity. In less
than five minutes smoke was
pouring from every window in the
museum and enveloped the huge
six story building occupied by
Smyth. In q marvelously short
time, both structures had turned
into mass of flames. Great fry
tongues darted across the street and
lodged in tile upper stories of the
buildings on the north side OF
Madison street.
For time it looked as though the
conhagration would get beyond con-
troll, and as in 1871, sweep toward
the lake. Probably 10000 people
gathered in the neighborlng streets,
watching the progress of the possible
impending calamity. At this criti'
cal juncture, however, the thorough
discipline of the fire department
became magnificently apparent.
The men obeyed orders, stood stead
lily in the street where the flames
scorched them from either side, and
after fierce battle at length brought
the fire In measure under control.
The museum was nothing but a
heap of ruins, and the walls of the
Smith building were falling one
after another. Fortunately they all
fell inwardly and no persons were
Injured. Across the street the walls
also soon succumbed to the furious
onslaught. The upper story Of the
three-story building on the north
west corner of Madison and Union
streets caught fire. The flames
started around the windows of the
fifth story Of the Haymarket theatre
building, and were soon stretching
along under the mansard roof Just
west of the Haymarket, the five
story building of the Peoples Out
fitting company caught fire in front.
Despite all efforts the buildings be-
tween Union street and the Hay
market block were wiped out, as
well as those on the south side of the
street. In the Haymarket the fire
was confined to the upper story, but
the whole building was filed with
smoke and water.
So far as can be learned the losses
will foot up as follows:
John NJ. Smyth's loss on the
stock and buildlng--------$ $500, 900
Kobe n Middleton, museum $1,000
Nicely Bros, boots aud shoes 10000
A. Keemtler, Jeweler-------- 10000
Alfred Peats, wall paper 60,9OO
Merrlman, tobacconist------ 10000
Hannah Il Hogg, liquors 10000
The miscellaneous losses of the
other firms and the Haymarket
theatre will bring the total up to
81 100000. The insurance is light.
Smyth carried but Sl25,OOO, Kobe 4
and Merriman had al
lowed theirs TO lapse, as they ex-
pected TO move In II couple Of weeks.
The insurance of the other sufferers
Is light.
RIG FIRE AT ELlzABErH,
ELIZABETH, n. j., April lS.-The
principal business block In this city,
the Arcade building owned by Amos
Clark and occupied by the postOilice,
First National Bank and a
number of stores, was burned today.
Llss estimated at 100000,
GETTING READY.
WASHINGTON, April Is. - Con-
gressaan Wilson, OF West Virginia,
will leave today for tour OF the
west for the purpose OF organizing =
democratic club. The tnp will ex-
tend 10 Tacoma, Wash, and will
occupy several months. He goes as
representative OF the national