The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-07-16
The City Nearly Wiped Ont by
the Flames-Loss Will Reach
Millions.
A Gale Of Wind Renders All Efforts
to Subdue the COntiaSratiOn
Of 30 Avail.


lilc Cdpltdl vi -NcN IouIilAIdlN. tlldt oC
stroyed a great part of the city. Dam
age was done amounting to S1.OOO.ON
and several lives were lost in the flames
Yesterday another fire broke out in st
Johns that threatens to far exceed in
the extent of money damage and loss OF
life of that disastrous contiagration OF
1916. About / o'clock in the afternoon
IA house on Long street was discovered
10 be on fire. Firemen responded prompt
ly to the alarm, but when they arrived a
southwest wind that was prevailing had
caused the fire to spread to an adjoining
building which vas then burning furi-
ously. Desperate efforts were made to
stay the progress of the fire but it was
soon seen that these would prove fruit
less. Most of the houses on Long street
we're very old wooden ones and they
caught fire and burned with great rapid
ity. Large burning brands were caught
up by the wind and carried to the roofs
Of other structures which were soon
burning furiously. 1t was seen that the
fire department was helpless and people
living in the path of the fire began to
remove their portables. 1t is feared
some of these people lost their lives by
their foolhardiness in returning to their
homes when the flames were close upon
them.
While these dwelling houses were
burning unhindered it was found the
new Methodist college was on fire. Eff
.,rte IN ~ thn h,ill;pr y-ora fr,,iflaae
BY this time the wind was blowing a
gale and and the fire was spreading with
terrible rapidity. Buildings situated
some distance from the burning struct-
ures caught fire from the burning en-
bers and were destroyed without a hand
being raised to save them. Fireman and
people were completely paralyZed and
the fire did its work of destruction with
out stay. 1t was growing dark and the
scene was magniticently beautiful.
though appalling. Building after build
ing caught fire and the whole city was
as hight as day. The roar Of the names
vas terrible and the heat was so intense
it was impossible to get anywhere near
the burning buildings.
A Fine Field for Thieves.
Now and then high and heavy walls
would fall and immense masses of burn
ing embers would soar upward to be
caught by the gale and carried else
where to add other buildings to the con-
tiagration. Thieves, taking advantage
Of the confusion, entered houses and
stole whatever they could lay their
hands on. Masonic temple, orange hail.
the Roman Catholic cathedral and the
biehop's palace, st. Patrick's hall, the
English cathedral. Kirk Commercial
bank. Union bank. Atlantic hotel and
Llndberg's brewery all fell prey to the
devouring element.
The English cathedral was a magniti-
cent structure and was considered the
finest piece of gothic architecture on
this continent. 1t was yet incomplete
though it had been fifty years in build
ing. Nearly all these buildings were in
the center Of the city and before long
they we're nothing but masses of smok-
ing ruins. In addition to these. the
court house, police headquarters and
government savings bank were de-
stroyed as were also the Presbyterian
church and the Office of the Telegram.
The iames were now raging with in
creasing vigor in the direction of the
water front and in a very short time
we're eating up warehouses along the
wharves. Shipping lying at the wharves
mad been warned of the danger and the
crews of the various vessels hastily cast
off lines and took the crafts outside the
harbor. On one side Of the bay are steam
seal oil factories and a warehouse in
which their product is stored. 1t was
thought these would catch fire. 1t was
railway would be destroyed. The fire
hprpal rnt tho talaUronh ofioa opl FOR
tn, time all communication with st.
Johns was cut off. This morning the tel
officials established temporary
offices IN what they considered a safe
part of the city and further details were
received. These latter dispatches state
that the fire had ragged all night and
threatened to destroy the whole city. 1t
is known positively that one man and
six children have persisted but it is
thought when the terrible excitement
subsidies it will be found the loss of life
is much greater.
People Driven inte the Fields.
Parliament buildings have been de-
and 600 buildings had been
burned. Many Of these were dwelling
houses and their occupants have been
compelled to seek refuge in fields. Mill
tary authorities furnished them with as
many tents as possible and civil
are doing everything
in their power to alleviate distress. Many
of these unfortunate people have lost
everything they had and imperative calls
will be made upon charity in their be-
half. This morning the fire communi-
Gated to the seal oil factories and stores
and the whole south side Of the city was
burning. A large wire was coming
down Fresh Water valley and the whole
of st. Johns were in despair,
before them the complete ex-
~tinction of the city. The fire swept
Cover and Duckworth streets.
From Brandy Rankins to Signal hill the
only buildings standing are the Union
bank, the Roman Catholic cathedral and
aud the Devon Row railway de-
pot.
Theloss lie thought to be about $4,000
600. Another dispatch says the fire has