The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-10
Fifteen Thousand People Rendered
Homeless and Left in Des-
titute Condition.
Another Disaster of Different Ma
ture Occurs at West Berkeley
California.
An Immense Powder Mill Plant Ii Totally '
Wrecked and Over One Hundred
Chinamen Killed.

s~~s ~SosAoyVA sA0 Rt01e0I phIb OI INC Cltys
Damage was done amounting to q million
pounds and several lives we're lost. Yester-
day afternoon fire broke out in st. Johns
that threatens to far exceed in extent Of
money damage and loss of life that disss-
trous confagrstion. About four O'Clock
house on Long Hill was discovered to be on
fire. When the fremen arrived the south
west wind that was prevailing had caused
tho hre to spread to an adjoining building.
Desperate efforts were made to stop the
progress of the fire. but soon most of the
houses on Long Hill were burning. Large
burning brands were taken up by the
winds and carried to rows Of
other structures, which soon were burning
furiously. It was seen that the FIRE depart
ment was helpless and people living in the
path of the fire began to remove portable
household effects and valuablss. It il
feared some Of these people lost their lives.
While these dwelling houses were burning
unhindered it was found that tho new
Methodist college was on fire. Efforts
were made to save the building, but they
were fruitIess. The college was educational |
headquarters for the Methodists in New.
foundland, and its loss will be severely felt
by the denomination. BY this time the
wind was blowing q gale and the FIRE was
spreading with terrible rapidity. Build
lngs situated some distance from the burn
ing structure caught on fire from burning
embers and were destroyed w!thout hand
being raised to attempt to save them.
Firemen and people were com mpietely par
alyzed and tho FIRE did the work of destruc-
tion without stay. It was now growing
dark and the sight was a maenifcently
beautiful, though appalling one. Building
after building caught fire and the whole
city was a. light a. day. The roar of the
flames WAS terrible and tho heat 50 intense
that it was impossible to get any where near
the burning buildings. Now and then high
and heavy walls would fall and immense
masses OF burning embsrs soar upward, to
be caught by the gale and carried elsewhere
to add other buildings to the conflagration
Men, women and children ran about in
terror, and thieves, taking advantage of
tho confusion, entered houses that had
been deserted by the occupants and stole
whatever they could lay their hands on and
carry off.
The Masonic hall, Orange hall. Roman
Cathedral and bishops palace. st. Patrick's
hall, the English cathedral, Atheneum, the
Kirk Commercial bank. Union bank, At
3
prey to the devouring element.
The English cathedral was a magnificent
structure and was considered the finest
piece of Gothic architecture on this con-
tinent. 1t was yet incomplete, though it
had been fifty years building Nearly all
these buildings we're in the center of the
city and before long were masses of smok-
ing ruins. In addition 30 this the court
house. police headquarters. and Govern
ment Savings bank, were destroyed as were
also the Presbyterian church, and the Of
fee of the Telegram.
Flames were now raging with increasing
vigor in the direction of the water front
and IN a short time eating up warehouses
along the wharves. Shipping lying at the
wharves had been warned of its danger and
the crews of the various vessels hastily cast
OF lines and took their crafts outside the
hRrbor. The fire burned out the telegraph
Office, and for q time all communication
with st. Johns was cut off. This morning,
however, the telegraph officials established
a temporary Office in what they considered
a safe part of the city and further details
wei . received.
These later dispatches stated that the fire
had ragged all night and threatened to de-
lively that one man and six children per-
ished But it is thought that when the
terrible excitement shat now prevails sub
sides it will be found that the loss Of life is
much greater. As many as GOO Of tho build
inRs burned up to this morning were DWELL
ing houses. and the occupants had been
compelled to seek refuge iu fields. Military
furnished AZ many tents az pos
sible and the civil authorities are doing
everything in their power to alleviate dis
tress.
The burning fire communicated to the
south side of the city was burning. A large
fire was coming down from Fresh Water
valley, and the whole population of st. I
Johns were in the agony OF despair, seeing |
before them the complete destruction OF |
the city. Fire later in the forenoon broke
the residences of the wealth inhabitants.
The loss up to noon was S6,O00.000. and il !
was estimated that 5000 persons were
homeless.
Soon after noon the wires again failed,
tho fire probably having reached the new
office. committee of Halifax citizens to-
day purchased &c. 600 worth of provisions
and lumber, which is to be sent to St. Johns
by steamer Tonight. Military and naval |
authorities also sent a lot Of tents and cnn-
vas, and public meeting il to be held Mon
day to establish general relief services.
The Fire Under Control.
ST. JoHNs, July 9.--The fire was under
,ontrol this evening; 1900 persons were
'enasrod homeless. Tho government house
was not burned as ut first stated. The fol-
owing streets were wiped out: Military
'ond, Duckworth street, PRESCOTT street.
lusSns road. Cochrsna street, Cover street,
Aings road, Cathedral hill, Longs hill. At
! meeting of the executive council to-day
was resolved TO grapple with the great
'alanity that has befatlen the CITY ~ far
- they can by supplyiRK those rendered
destitute with provisions and other nscas-
'a1iss Of life. II 10 estimated that insurance