The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-08
TOWN OF FARGO IN ASHES
One of North Dakota's Prosperous Cities
Almost Wiped Ont by Fire.
At Least $4,000, 900 Worth Of Property De-
stroyed-0ne Hotel and Restaurant Left
About 5000 People Homeless.

MooRHEAD. Minn.. June IA terrible fire
has been raging in Fargo. across the river,
siace o'clock this afternoon. The whole
city is threatened with destruction. Aid
was called from Grand Forks and was
promptly dispatched at 4:40 P. NJ. on q spe-
clal train. A heavy wind was blowing and
the fire spread rapidly, despite all the work
of the fire department.
The distriot burned by the fire comprises
the best part of the city. In general way
it is bounded by the Western Union office
and the Headquarters Hotel, thence to the
Great Northern depot and along the line of
the Great Northern track to the river. The
principal business street of the city
was within the burned district. In
that part of the city there are
many residences, and these went down be-
fore the flames. Most Of the buildings were
frame structures, and these offered slight
resistance to the rush of fame sent against
them by gale which was blowing at a
thirty -mile-an-hour gait. The fire crossed
the river TO the Moorhead side. at the Far
60 roller mill, which was burned.
Among the principal firms burned out at
Fargo are Herman. dry goods; Cranes
restaurant; Magill. farm machinery;
Northern Pacific elevator buildings. West
ern Union office. Morton. real estate; Red
River Valley National Bank. Daily Forum.
Merchants State Bank, opera honse. f.
S. Tyler. real estate: the Plano. Nc
Cormick. Walter A. Woods, Minnesota.
Chief. Deering and John Deere implement
houses. Coles livery. Vinson's restaurant.
Grand Hotel. FIeming's drug store.
Veder & Lewiss grocery. Christian
sons drug store, Sheridan Hotel.
Appel Brothers, Minneapolis Dry
Goods Company. Logan's studio. Ames
iron works. Centennial House. Van Brunt
implements warehouse. A strong wind
made the fire travel SO quickly that hardly
anything was saved. The flames went
through brick buildings as easily as frame
onee.
At IL P. NJ. tho city of Fargo is still in
flames. and the mammoth blaze is being
blown by terrific wind. The fire is beyond
control, and seems sure to burn ell the
buildings along the river front. The
loss is already at least S2,0O0.O0O. The
bridge between Moorehead and Fargo has
been burned and all telegrsphic commune
cation is cut off. Assistance has arrived
at the scene from Grand Forks. and Duluth
and Crookston have been asked for help.
Is James j. Hill has just telegraphed from
st. Paul ordering the immediate opening of
the Grand Pacific Hotel for the use of the
Many fremen have been injured.
some of them seriously, ~. but
no names car be secured owing
to- the confusion which rsigned every
where. Over three thousand people to-
night are homeless. Practically only one
Eotel in town is left-the Headquarters.
The fire was burned all around it..
but SO far it has been saved. Only one
restaurant is left in town. Moorhead
hotels are already full Largo numbers of
schoolhouse on the south Side.
The fire started by hot ashes from the
Gem restaurant thrown out behind. ignit.
ing some loose paper back of
left the front door open. Inside of
three minutes the wind had driven the
flames through the building and burst out
Of the roof During the next fifteen min
ntes the flames ran two blocks west. taking
the brick buildings end aii. then
ailps big machinery warehouse, contain
ing nine thousand dollars worth of twine
and five thousand dollars worth of ma
cbinery. North and east of this for two
blocks each way are the big machinery
depots. mostly two-story wooden buildings.
which. at this time of the year, are filled to
farm machinery for North Da-
boaa boss For RsrhsD' tsn quarter rte Ct
on one roof and then on another tongues of
flames broke out as the fire flakes settled
on the shingles. Inside of half an hour the
whole space for four blocks was whirl-