The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-04
Over Three Millions in Cotton and
Other Property Gone to
Ashes.
Four Squares of Residence Prop
erty ALSO Licked Up
by Flames
Cigarattes Thrown Among the Cotton the
Probable Origin-Hundreds Rendered
Hoineless~-Fjremen Hurt,

New ORLEANS, April 3.--Ons of the most
destructive cotton fires on record broke ont
at 10:3O this morning among come cotton
on the sidewalk in front of the Fire Proof
cotton press on Front street, where 10000
bales OF cotton were stored. The depart
ment promptly responded, but ths wind was
10 high and the cotton 30 dry that il
burned like tissue papcr. The flames ran
high and in an almost Incredible short space
of time they communicated to the press
itasf. The firemen worked like demons
to arrest the progress OF the fire. but their
efforts were nnavaiIinR. Through the yards
swept the fire. carrying destruction with il.
After three repeated alarms general
alarm WAS sent in and all the engines in
the city, with two or three exceptions.
called ont. In half an hour after ii started
the fire proof prass WAS totally consumed.
with it's contents, and the flames cornmuni-
Gated 70 the upper press. attacking the
building from all sides with wonderful rap
idity. In the press were stored $4,000 bales
OF cotton, some OF which was saved.
The greater portion was destroyed.
1t required but very short time
to destroy the press. Several fremeu had
narrow escapes from falling walls.
The sight Was an awe-inspiring one. Smoke
and sparks from the fire, blowing down
into the streets by the wind, choked and
singed tho spectators. Suddenly small
t1ame was seen to leap skyward from the
corner Of the Independence press In
second nearly the entire square was ablaze.
and the flames formed all almost solid
block of fire. In the yard were stored
some 10000 bales OF cotton, which were
consumed in little time. The place was
Quilted and its contents, consisting of about
10000 bales, destroyed. As soon as it was
apparent that there was no possibility of
saving the burning structure, the frsmen
devoted their attention to tho surrounding
structures and everything in the neiRhbor-
hood WAS thoroughly soaked. This prob
ably saved . number of fres as the sparks
were falling in all directions. The cotton
district burned is bounded by Peners,
Front, Ihelis and Robin streets, and the
presses destroyed are as follows: Fire
proof, Penrose Bros, shippers; Boyd .E
Herrick, proprietors; Independence cotton
yard, Orleans cotton press, Adam
Norwich, manager. The total amount
can now be asosrtained, is estimated at
$4,000 bales. hold by factors and commits
sion merchants, and covered BY open
policies. Much of the cotton will be sent
to pitchers and saved, 80 the total loss will
probably not exceed $50 per bale, making a
total on cotton of between 81, ,250, 600 and
s., 100000. The loss on presses and sheds
is estimated at S150.O0O.
It..is thought the fire st arted from cigar
cites which some person threw among the
cotton. For three blocks around the burning
presses people moved out, fearing the FIRE
would spread to their homes. Fro thieves
got in some generous work. Whom the
wallis of the Orleans cotton press foil, three
men were seen to be carried under the
mass. Shortly an unfortunate fireman was
taken from the ruins moaning and crying
with pain and was taken to the hospital,
whore his injuries were dressed. The
others were taken out moro or less hurt.
The men all belong to No. IL. Their
names are: Capt. Alfred Dupree, Lieut..
Shaw and Pipeman bordeaux. Dnpree is
slightly injured, but the other two are
badly hurt.
While the cotton press fire was raging an
alarm was sent IN from fire in the resi-
dence portion Of the city bounded by
Laurel Annunciation and Second and
Third streets. A gale was blowing and the
flames we're famed in all directions. Sew
era engines went to the scene but before
they could get to active work number Of
houses were i'll flames. Every engine on
both sides of the river was then summoned.
People in the neighborhood took fright and
wild scene ensued. Houses were dis
manifold and their contents carried away.
Honae after house went down aud the
efforts Of the tirernen seemed in vain in the
face of overwhelming odds. The flames
spread in every direction, owing to the
varying winds, and soon the section
bounded by First, Third, Laurel and
Magazine streets, four squarss, were ablaze,
and wooden buildings were devoured as II
they were SO much chatf. Every building
in the four squares mentioned, except four,
were destroyed. Hundreds OF people were
left homeless by the fire and in many cases
nothing will be saved from the burning
buildings. The scene presented is truly
one of desolation. Nothing remains of the
many handsome buildings embraced in the
four squares but blackened ruins. The
losses by the last fire is estimated at $780,
600. 1t is believed the buildings were
mostly insured.