The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-01-09


threatening to destroy tho Russian and
British sections.
IN THE LIBERAL ARTS BrnDiSG.
BY this time the fire boats and engines
had succeeded in subduing the flames in
the ashes of the pcristylc and on the lower
southout side of the liberal arts building.
and hopes were entertained that tho fire
was subdued. But shortly after II o'clock
the flames got beyond control upon the
top OF the promenade of the liberal arts
building, and the main aisle of the build.
ing became a mass of flames. Remorsc.
!essiy tho fire hurled itself through the
interstices OF the big iron arches OF the
Dizzy heights above. The flames wound.
boa constrictor-likc, in and out the mann.
moth electric light coronas. Below frantic
horses, with heavily loaded trucks were
piunging through the nislcs not encuni-
bered with wrcckagc, or werc being
drenched with the falling of the catnracts
OF water. most of which fell far short OF
tho flames. Tho clouds of smoke and
vapor that every moment or SO shut out
the view OF the fire were colorel in the
most fantastic fashion.
GREAT LOSS TO EXHIBITORS.
The opinion seemed 10 be general that
the loss by water is even greater than by
fire. Federal officers put tho loss 10 goods
and merchandise, il the fire does not
spread beyond the liberal arts building,
at 81 100000. On the other hand estimates
by people connected with the local di.
rectory made tho highest figures si500ya.
At l0:i5 the great iron arch gave away
directly above the French section. and
falling heavily buried the French wares
beneath the burning pile. Around the
Japanese exhibit adjoining clustered q
crowd of scared and frantic Japanese.
This, like many other exhibits, had not
been released from bond and the goods
could not he taken from tho building. but
were car,cd TO the doors and there guarded
by tho natives. All the American ex.
hihiis were long ago removed, but the
fcrmalitics Of the custom house detained
the goods of foreigners.
Superintendent Graham of the manu-.
facturers' building said the loss ouli bo
hardly oyeres;iinated. II have feared this
ever since the fair closed,n ne said, land
now il has come worse than ever
dreamed" All through the great struc.
tnre frantic exhibitors rushed, seeking the
safety OF their goods.
A MAGNIFICENT FIGHT.
The fire department fought with energy
and skill. but the conditions were against
them. A fierce wind came over the lake,
hnging fiery cmbers everywhere. and fan
ming them into life every moment. The
huge pillows OF fame which wero man-
fully couha,ted by the men on tho roof
rol'ei nor,hwarsl. Tho lreGien yero
handicapped by lack of water. A heroic
elort was made 10 get streams 10
tho top OF tho giant structure, but
the water supply was fearfully inadequate.
Finding II impossible 10 reach the roof.
the chief ordered tho engines into tho
building. With changing Gongs and clat.
Ter OF hCofs steamer after steamer ratified
through the smoke, down tho fire lit asles
until tile center of the building was
reached. There the last struggle of the
flremcn was taken UP. Streams of water
were hurled upwards, but with little ef-
feet. From above fiery hail Of embers
poured down upon the lrefnen and the
heaps of blazing merchandise grew more
numerous. aud foot by foot the engines
were forced back to either end of the
building.
TIE KILLED AND INJURED.
The name of the fireman killed when
the peristy!e collapsed is William Mackey,
of engine company 6l. Captain Frederick
Getz OF truck company 16 fell from the
roof of the manufacturers building antl
broke his leg and received internal injur.
les. Eugene Durand, n watchman IN tho
French section, was hit on the head by
the falling debris and injured.
HIoINpoTunM's STATEMENT.
At midnigh, President Hi:inbotham
tclcphoncd tho general manager of thc
associated press saying that he had been
| IN the burning building more that tive
hours; that the roof had burned and fallen
| but fortunately few exhibits were in range
OF the falling enbcrs. II should say.
said he, The loss by water would he much
greater than by fire. The total loss /,
exhibits viii no, exceed s.o0.0O9. or conrs,
the loss Is serious enough, but tho fire i,
now fairly under control and there is IA,
more 10 fear. All told, the contents of III,
| liberal arts building did not exceed tn,
value OF sl.0O,UU. As TO the Casino. per
istyle and Music hall. there is no loss. w,
should not regret their burninr.as it is th,
cheapest way To remove them"
Three days ago tho number OF packages
awaiting shipment was: In the manutac
turcr's building. 1894; midway paisaucc
l.3OJ; fine arts, 1sy; woman's SO: horii
| culture. 100; transportation. go; min
ing. 1880; electricity. 1857: agriculture
| l.so0. and l.6s5 were scattered in oihc
buildings; total, 23,s5i packages. Les
than ii,0lo packages had been shippe,
away prior TO Dec. ~.
Tue climax OF interest was reache,
shortly after midnight when a compan
of 20 men could be seen edaing their wa
along the roof OF the manufacturer
building. 4 cry Of horror went up a
huge section of the roof almost under ia
feet of the iircmcn gave way and fell Wit
n crash. The firemcn did not wayer an
by O'Clock IL looked as IL their heroisr
" would not be in vain. The fire is st
burning. but IL is thought to be under cot
troll and is not expected to spread fartheI
| THEY SAY HES ALL RIGHT.
Mr. Thompson's Friends Deny That "
Took Any Money Not His own.