Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-08-12
Probably Fifteen Horses Meet an
Agonizing Death in the Fury
of the Flames.
At 10 o'clock, However, the Fire
men Get on Top, and Have the
Fire Under Control.
The Loss Upon Buildings and Per-
sonal Property Exceeds $4,000
With Very Little Insurance.
A Wild Night.


The greatest fire in the history of the
city of Bismarck is over. A fire, which
for s%uddenness of outbreak,and quickness
Of its work of destruction, was
surpassed in any city.
At exactly eighteen minutes of eleven
Thursday night the dreaded alarm OF Gre
reused the residents of the city. There
we're persons rushing from all direc-
tions with cries of "where is the fret"
But there was not long any doubt Is to
the locality. A moment after the first
alarm a roaring, seething, scorching
mass Of fame and smoke burst from the
roof of the livery barn occupied by Nels
White. The flames shot up toward the
sky and soon the whole barn was en-
veloped in flames. With a roar the
blaze arose and sparks shot towards the
heavens in all directions.
With the first alarm the hose cart ap-
peared or the scene, and soon had four
streams on the burning building But
the barn was dry as finder, the loft full
of hay, and the fire had secured such a
start that the streams were seemingly Of
no avail. The fire fend seemed to real
ize that he had the advantage, and
the blaze cracked fercely and
merrily, as if IN defiance.
The fact was at once appar-
emit that there was no hope of saving the
barn. The fire had become too far ad-
vanced to be checked. With a deafen-
ing crash the roof fell in carrying down
everything beneath it.
When the fire was first discovered an
immediate endeavor was made by sew
eral men who were on the scene to
loosen and take out the horses. 1t is
not known exactly how many horses
were IN the barn, but there must have
been nearly fifty. Nels White went
through the shed on the west side of the
barn proper and loosened the horses as
he passed, at the same time starting
them for the door. The frightened ami
mails stopped for a moment and then
tore madly out the door and down the
streets in all directions. But the fire
was gradually gaining such Roadway
that Nels became almost blinded with
fame and choked with smoke. His
hands we're badly burned but he man.
aged to stagger to the door and get out
into the fresh air. While he was en-
gagged in taking the horses from this
part Of the barn, another number Of
men were taking frightened animals
from the eastern part of the building.
Most of them we're gotten out, but the
time was too short. Eight horses
had to be left, and the screams and
cries Of the suffering beasts resounded
upon the night air. ID
TWAS P1T1FUL,
and persons turned away, shuddering
with horror at the sounds. ..,.T p.
As the roof of the barn fell q shower of
sparks and burning brands filled the
surrounding air. The sight was truly a
beautiful one. Great clouds of smoke
rolled up in thick, black masses. from
the now rapidly falling building; the air
was literally filled with sparkling bits Of
burning wood; q lurid mass Of flame
leaped proudly in the air, and lighted up
the scene with a glaring red; and then
with a last, resounding crash,
THE WALLS GAVE WAY,
fell together, and the barn was a
smoldering mass Of ruins.
All this time willing hands busy
removing miscellaneous articles of fur
niture from the furniture store next
door. It was realized that the building
must soon catch, and strenuous efforts:
were madsto saw as much Of the stock
possible. Upon the carpets in the