The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-07-30
MILLION DOLLAR LOSS,
Lay City. Mich, the scene of an I'm
mense CONFEDERATION.

bay City. Mich, the Scene of al I'm
mense CONFEDERATION.
BAY Cry, Mich, July D.-Thc greatest
contia ration hat ever visited Bay City
broke out this a ternoon in the lumber
manufacturing establishment OF Miller &
Turner. situated on the west side Of Water
street at the foot of Twenty ninth street.
A brisk wind was blowing at the
time, which famed the flames into
a roaring ~contlagration and swept
them across Water street into
the settled district. The east side of Water
street where the fire crossed was built up
with stores, hotels aud restaurants. Nearly
all the buildings were constructed of wood
and burned like finder. The wind in
creased as the flames progressed. and in an
hour the fire had consumed Miller & Turn.
tr's entire plant, comprising a saw mill,
salt bl ocks, dry kiln. and a large quantity
of lumber.
The flames had also travelled three blocks
to the eastward. cutting a swath two blocks
wide. At this point the path Of the con-
tlagration widened, and block after block
was swept over with astonishing rapidity.
The scene which ensued beggars descrip-
ton. Thousands Of men, women and chill
dren rushed about all engaged in removing
furniture and other household effects from
before the advancing flames. Every vehicle
in the city dap:cd. to the purpose was on
Crowd, and as is always the case at such
time. the owners charged .abulous prices
Tor services.
At S O'clock about thirty blocks had been
burned over, while twenty more were sup
plying fresh .uel 10 the devOuring element.
When the chief OF the fire department first
realized the extent OF the danger lie tele-
graphed to Saginaw, Flint and Detroit for
assistance. Saginaw and Flint responded,
each city sending an engine and a quantity
OF hose. Nearly all of West Bay City's
eGuipagc came to the
SCENE OF THE DISASTER
ami lent such assistance us lay III the power
of the firemen. But with hundreds of
0 >treams playing on the fire the flames
p~ursuedAheir course licking up house alter
house. until at s O'Clock Upward 0 300
dwellings had been destroyed and the con-
Aagration was still sweeping toward; the
eastern limits OF the city.
While tU majority Of the buildings
burned belonged to working people. many
fine residences have been consumed Two
churches, four hotels and about forty stores
of all varieties are included anon struct-
ures which have contributed fuel to the
flames. At 8 p. NJ. many rumors are a1oat
concerning
PEOPLE VIC AvE PERIsHED.
So far as it is positively known only m
death has occurred, that of a woman whose
name it is impossible to learn to-
night. She lay ok in one Of
The houses which was destroyed.
Before assistance could reach her the dwell
in. was a seethiny mass of fire. and the
poor creature had to be left to her fate. 1t is
reported also that two children were burned
to death, but the story lacks confirmation.
Miller & Turner. Oh whose premises the
fire started, lost about $3.50, 900. mostly COW
cred by insurance. The entire loss will reach
upward Of 81. OO0, 900. but it is impossible to
learn tonight the extent to which different
parties are insured.