Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1893-05-09

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Last Friday afternoon about . O'Clock
Bert Gilbert discovered smoke issuing
from the roof Of the residence occupied
by @. p. Crawford. He Immediately
gave the alarm and ran TO the house aud
informed Mrs. Crawford that the house
was on fire and went up into the attic
with a bucket OF water 10 quench the
flames. The FIRE had, at that time, gain
cd but little Roadway but the smoke
was 20 thick that Mr.. Gilbert was unable
TO remain in the attic.
Owing TO the distances from the fire
house 10 the residence IL was some little
time before the two hose companies and
the hook and ladder company put IN an
appearance. The wind was blowing a
gale and when the companies came in
sight Of the house, smoke was issuing
from all parts Of tho roof and before a
connection could be made with the by
drant at the southwest corner Of the
block on which the house is situated,
the roof was a perfect sheet Of flame.
A large number Of people had assembled
and were busy carrying out furniture
and valuables. Few thought that the
fire department could do any good and
for half an hour the fire appear
ed to hold it's own against all
the efforts Of the fremen, but
by this time the roof was almost
completely destroyed and as the fremen
had kept the fire from getting any hold
in the second story Of the building IL
became apparent that the Hremen would
win the fight in the end.
A footing was finally obtained by one
Of the fire companies on top Of the build
ing and it lookout a few minutes then
TO get the fire completely under control.
Some OF the furniture in the second sto-
~ Of the building was not taken out and
It was ruined by water which soaked
everything in the house.
Fortunately the reservoir was full Of
water and there was a good pressure
considering the fact that two lines OF
hose we're attached to one hydrent.
No damage was done by the fire to the
first story of the building except to the
porch In front which was partially de-
stroyed. The roof was completely de-
stroyed and some damage was done to
the second story. a.
The residence which was the largest
in Silver City was Bdift a number Of
years ago by John A.. Miller and for
years has been pointed out as the finest
residence in Silver City. The First Ma
tional Bank of Santa Fe held a mortgage
on the property for several years amout-
ing to something over $1,000. Neither
principal nor interest was paid and the
total amount ran up to about $4,000
when the property was purchased by D.
C. Hobart Of this city, but the property
is now owned by John Brockman, presi.
dent of the Silver City National Bank.
At the time of the fire Mr.. Brockmar
was at Lone Mountain where be went
Friday morning. The house has been
occupied by @. P. Crawford and family
but a short time.
AS the fire was first seen neal the big
chimney on the south side of the ROOT
it is supposed that it was caused by q
defective fue. Had the fire been dis
covered five minutes later, only the walls
Of the onoe handsome residence would
have been standing now for in aver that
short time the wind would have famed
the flames to such fury that 1t would
have been impossible for the firemen to
have subdued them.
The house was insured for 5000 which
will make the loss on the building good.
There was no insurance on the furniture
some Of which was considerably dam
aged in moving it from the building.
That which remained in the house was
almost a total loss.
Mr.. Crawford removed q portion Of
his furniture TO the house recently va
Gated by j. E. Sheridan, where his fam
lily is temporarily quattered.