The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-15
NORTH BEND STRICKEN.
Fire Destroys Half the Business Por-
tion of the Town.

over one-half the business portion of
the town of North Bend. located in the
eastern part of King county, on the Lake
Shore railroad. was destroyed by fire early
yesterday morning. and had 1t not been for
the fact that there was not breath OF
air stirring the entire town would I'M
doubtedly have been laid in ashes. The
total loss Will be between 5000 and s. 900.
and so far as can be learned the insuT-
ance will fall far below those figures
North Bend consists entirely of wooden
buildings. The main street runs north
from the Lake Shore depot and the bust
ness portion Of the town commences
about block from that point on the
left hand side OF the street was Weeks
store. in which are the Lake Shore ticket
office. Notwithstanding there is a depot
and the postoffice. Connected with this
store Is Gustin's hotel where all Seattle
fishermen take their dinner when on the
way up the Snoqualmie. Across the street
from Weeks store and the hotel was a
row Of one-stOry wooden buildings the
most northerly Of which was owned by eX-
County Commissioner William H Taylor
and formerly used as a saloon. OF late il
has been occupied partly as residence by
Or. Brown and partly as a store room by
Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor intended to open
store there and recently ordered n
stock OF goods. which arrived az North
Bend but which fortunately had not been
placed in the building when the FIRE took
place
About ! o'clock yesterday morning the
town was aroused by the cry OF fire. and
when the startled people came tumhlng
out OF bed they saw great long tongues
Of flames shooting M into the air and
could hear the cracking as the walls and
floors IN Taylors building went up in fire.
When discovered the flames had COM
plete control Of the first building and it
was apparent that With the limited means
AZ hand FOR fighting fire the people OF
North Bend could do no more than turn
their attention 10 saving other property.
Bucket hriEades We're formed. and while
TIE flames went merrily on Ike 50 many
demons the good people worked 70 save a
much property a s possible
house fifty feet north Of Taylor's place
was saved from the fire but William Hol-
brooks dwelling. next south OF Taylor's
Went Ike finder A moment later the
fiery elements jumped a narrow lot and
continued their course OF destruction -
Herman PatyOlds house, which was
gore up in a very brief space - time
Next came another large building owned
~ Mr. Holbrook and used in part as a
shoe shop As this building was RAPIDLY
consumed. the heat became intense and
great fears were entertained for the
safety - Weeks store and Gustin's hotel
Despite the fact that water. as much as
could ~ obtained. was used on the lat
ter two buildings. IL did not prevent the
store which is nearer the street. from
receiving a severe scorching. The cause
% the fire Is unknown.
Following is a list % losses a FAR as
ohtaina BILE William y. TAYLOR bun ling
~. goods S9o. Or Brown. furniture
So. y lillian Holbrook. building No
~ furniture S2oo greater part % ftrni-
tere saved. building No , 81 6oo. contents
Sfst In all these instances there Is little
or no lrStlrarra