The morning call., 1894-08-27
But Measures Are Being Taken
for Their Relief.
A STRANGER is STILL MISSING
And II Is Feared He Is Buried Be-
meath the Ruins of Odd
Fellows Hall.

SANTA Rosa, Aug. 26.-Guerneville is
mass of smoking ruins.
When the whistle on the Sonoma Lum-
Der Company's mill sounded at As Sat-
urday afternoon the people of Guerneville
found conflagration on their hands and
no water supply nor modern fire. fighting
appliances.
Tne burning building was a dwelling
owned by DIR. Burns Gu Fourth street, and
efforts were made to c0nfne the flames to
the one house. These, however. were un-
availing. aud Bert Bagey's residence was
the next to go, followed by the houses of
Milton Bigsby and David Connel, the
backsmith-shop and dwelling of Hansen
& Co., the Findley home, the Italia Hotel,
carrlage-shop of Milton Shoemaker and
Behring'S saloon.
Here the ODD Fellows Hall, a largo
two-story brick, for moment held at bay
the devourng element, but for moment
only. The building was occupied on the
ground floor by Carl Hetzel's barber-shop.
David HetzePs tobaeco-store, DR.. Burns
pharmacy. the postoffice, Dietz' general
store. r. Z. Hewitt's tinshop, Carr & Bag
ley's dry goods and grocery store and
Oliver Wescott's saloon. \. 3. Turner'S
general store "and the lumber company's
store.
The flames then swept across the rail-
road track and attacked The station. Ster-
rift & Joost's saloon and Lou Allison
dwelling. Next followed the Wehrspoon
Hotel, j. B. Armstrong; barn and black
smth-shop, the Monticello Hotel. the resi-
dence of John Gibson, house owned by
L. Allison and the Shodey residence.
The course of the fire was now west on
Third street. burning the homes of Mr..
Monticello. John Patton, j. b. Armstrong,
Mrs. Schloss. T. T. Heald and G. Dietz,
the 5lacksmith-shop owned by Robert
Rooms, Annie Gorly's house and barn. COG
cords Of wood, two boxcars and w. Y.
Coles house and box factory.
The following buildings on Church
street were next consumed: Two houses
owned by Mrs. Watson. the Methodist
church and parsonage. the residences of r.
E. Lewis and Mrs. King. j. B. Arm
strong's warehouse. n. b. Turner's barn,
two Chinese washhouses, Joseph Findlay'
stable. two houses owned by Mrs. White
aud 80, 600 feet of boards of the Sonoma
Lumber Company.
The total loss will probably reach $50, 900,
about 30 per cent of which is covered by
insurance.
The fire originated from a defective flue.
As the buildings were nearly all frame
and built adjoining each other. the spread
of the flames was SO rapid that but little
of the contents of the destroyed buildings
could be saved.
An attempt was made TO remove the
merchandise of the stores in Odd Fellows
Hall while the building was burning.
Without moments warning the front
fell and crushed the bodies of several
men. Dr.. Burns and Oscar Mexican were
instantly killed and CLYDE Hewitt injured,
probably fatally. Another man, stranger.
is thought to be still beneath the smoking
ruins.
Shortly after the destruction of Guerne-
vile, President Foster and General Man
ager Whiting Of the San Francisco and
North Pacific Railroad arrived at the scene
and subscribed 500 for the relief of the
destitute. Other amounts ranging from
S25 down have been sent to the relief CON-
mittee. 1t is sOrely needed, for there have
been 200 persons rendered homeless, many
of whom are pennilesS.
This evening a mass-m Getting Of citizen;
was held in the Fifth-street Methods
church, and measures taken to relieve the
people 10 distress.