The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-21
LAID IN ASHES.
Wardner, Idaho, Visited
by a Terrible Fire.
A ROARING MASS OF FLAME.
While the ConfIagration RACES the
PopuIace Become Panic Stricken
at the Loss of Their Homes.
Special to THE MOENINs CALL.

SPOKANE, April 20.-The business part
of Nardner, Idaho. was destroyed by fire
this morning, and several hundred people
are homeless. The loss is estimated be-
tween $4,000 and S3C0000. Less than
one-third is covered by insurance. The
ire started in Lawson's clothing-store, be-.
tween l and 2 o'clock this morning The
cause is not known, as the flames had gained
full control Of the building before the fire
was discovered.
An alarm was given shortly before 2
o'clock aud brought out the citizens at
once, but it was 100 late. Before any sys-
tematic work could be done by volunteers
the flames had spread to adjoining build
ings. BY 2:30 O'clock the entire population
was in the streets, some. fighting the flames
and others rushing to save their possessions,
The wind scattered blazing cnders every
where, and in short time the whole gulch
was a roaring sea of flame and the fremen
could not approach tie buildings on account
Of the heat. s panic seized part of the
popuace and men and women rushed about
frautleslIy in all kinds of costumes, carrying
their goods to places OF safety.
1t was evident by o'clock that the en-
tire bushes part of the city was doomed.
FiTemen still worked to prevent the fire
from spreading, and by tearing down
buildings and running great risks of being
caught by falling timbers, succeeded IN cut
ting off portion of the residence part of
town.
BY o'clock the fire was checked. but it
continued to burn for hours in what had
been the business part, and tonight is still
smoldering in piles of rubbish. At day
light the scene was pitiful one. The town
was a heap of ruins, with ruined men and
homeless women picking their way among
piles Of ashes. A relief committee Will be at
once appointed and a call for help sent TO
surrounding towns.
The following is a list of losses as near Is
can be ascertained: w. T. Goddard $1,000,
insurance $1,000; c. T. Fuller $1,000 iusuI-
ance $500; b. Presley $500. no insurance;
Alexander Chisholm $500, no insurance; J.
). Edwards 500. no insurance; DR.. Gibson
5000, L, r. Randall $3.50 Clarence Swift
$500, James Calligan $500; Josh Col
Inns $500, Insurance. $500; c. An
derson & Co. $780, no Insurance;
&. b. McAuIey $4,000; Charles McNab
$500 insurance $1,000: Evan Morgan 5000;
&. T. Bitner $3.50; Mr.. Shedd $500; Alex
ander Monk $1,000; F. EStine $1,000; Miners
Exchange Bank 5000; Odd Fellows build
ing 5000. insurance $500; L. O. Open
heimer $1,000; Justus Loeber 1920; Frank
Mettaii $4,000 insurance $500; C. B. Highly
& Co. $1,000, insurance S5000
The above list includes only a partial
statement of the losses of business houses
and does not include many whose losses
could not be ascertaned. Many merchants
have moved their goods and their losses
cannot be estimated. There is no place TO
store goods here and the city is in greatcon-
fusion. No estimate can be given of loss of
dwelling-houses or Of many buildings in the
burned district.