The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-27
Where But Yesterday There Stood
More Than Forty Blocks
Of Houses.
One Hundred Buildings at Bay
City, Mich, Were Utterly
Ruined.
By the Glare OF Their burning Houses
One Thousand Peopie Eats
MsAl at Midnight.

BAY CRY. July 26.-Ths terrible fire
which started yesterday afternoon oontiH-
ued to rage all night, and the sun rose this
morning on \ field Of sshss extending over
forty blocks. II is estimated that over ons
hundred buildings occupied ~ factories
stores and dwellings are in ruins. The fire
burned swath ak blocks wide from this
river almost to the sity limits. distance of
nine blocks, swespinR everything in its
path, and only stopped when there was
nothing to feed on. the houses having be-
some scattering. The loss 10 estimat at
Sl.0OO.OO0. A terrific wind was blowing
from the southwest when the flames started
in Miller & Turner'S saw mill. Burning
boards were carried 200 feet in tho air, and
wherever dropped started a now conaagra-
tion. The hremsn were utterly unable to
cope with it and were driven quickly from
point to point. The progress of the fire
was through section largely occupied by
the homes of laborinR men. They were
compelled to abandon everything. and are
now huddled in temporary quarters with
out possession in the world and nothing
to eat. Tho progress of the fire was 80
swift that even some wagons and drays
hauling away household goods wore over
taken and burned in the street.
The fremen finally attempted to make
stand several blocks away, but the cyclone
of hre swept down upon them and was soon
blazing thirteen blocks from the place Of
starting. Here the wind began to die
down, and the fremen finally began to get
the mastery. The fre was not under con-
troll until midnight. Many houses in the
burned sssction were built upon ground
made from the refuse of the Mills and not
only were the buildings consumed but the
sites also.
A number of arrests we're made of thieves
stealing household goods. This morning
there were several reports of loss of life
but the only positively known victim was
death. Most Of the business places burned
had small stocks. ranging from 5000 to
$4,000. Miller Il company lost 5000, 600
feet of lumber, worth $4,000. One great
aid to the spread of the confagt alton was
the slabs piled on vacant lots among dwell
lings, of which it is estimated that 1000
cords were destroyed.
After tho adjournment Of the common
council last night numbsr of wealthy CIT
izens subscribed several hundred dollars
for the temporary relief of families whose
homes were dest Dyed. The committee sf
t"T puTCuA1lnR tle 6tOCk OF several fe6ta0r-
ants, proceeded to the camp of the home
less with a couple of dray loads of provi-
sions. The eatables were apportioned
mong the sufferers and at midnight. in the
glare of the flames, nearly 1000 people par
took Of the first food they had tasted since
the MONDAY meal. The bedding saved was
arranged on the sod and allotted to the
women. Never did fire do cleaner work
than this one. Within the burned locality
not a house WAS left standing. while every
shade tree was stripped OF foliage and
left bare. While the conl1agration
was serious blow to the city
and will occasion much suffering, the idea
that the city lies in ashes is mistaken one.
The principal business portion lies over two
miles from tho burned dist let and remains
intact. It is the poorer class who will suf-
fer most, and much money, food and cloth
ing will be required to provide for their i'm
mediate and futu 9 wants.
The first fatality known of was when
the body Of Jesse Miller WAS found in the
ruins of his residence. Lying close by the
remains were several gold coins. It is sup
posed he arrived at home to find it in flames,
and rushing inside to rescue the gold was
overcome BY the heat and smoke.