The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-05-31
Fire at Fort Penblla.
The Barracks, Commissary and
Other Minor Buildings De.
stroyed on Monday
Morning.

On Monday morning at four O'Clock
the sentry at Fort Pemblna discover.
ed blaze from the west end Of the
unoccupied barracks, and at once gave
the military fire alarm, BY firing q
cannon. In few seconds the officer.
and men were on the scene, aud com.
menced to fight the flames; the wind
was blowing gale from the south
east and soon the whole building wai
on fire. This set the single roof and
outer casing Of the magazine on fire
In the magazine was stored $40 pound.
OF powder, besides u large amount Of
loaded ammunition. As soon as Mai
or Hooten saw the first set If bur.
racks were doomed, and the magazine
on tire, he ordered retreat call to be
sounded to call the men back for safe
ty, expecting every minute IN explo
sion would follow, but the structure
lined With brick throughout with.
stood the heat. although it was only
thirty yards from the main building
that burnt. As soon as It was thought
safe. the men were ordered back "a
hight the flames, that by this time had
spread to the second quarters, occupl.
Cd by the company, and other minor
buildings. and through heroic work
lots Ut property was saved from ROino
up 10 smoke.
The citizens Of Pembina knew moth.
Ing about the fire until Collector Love,
who had seen the fire from his resi-.
dence 10 st. Vincent, drove through
town and gave the alarm. 1t was
some time before he could wake any
one up. but as soon as the fire alarm
was sounded the apparatus was in rea.
diness and the hose-cart In full speet,
over the bridge, but it was fifteen
minutes before team could be pro.
cured to haul the engine. The soft
bank Of the river made it q difficult
task TO locate the engine and as soon
- started up she sank down, which
left her helpless. Fortunately the
fire was under CONTROL by this time.
The fire made y big gap In the
beautifully laid out post, aud entail.
ed 4 loss Of about s25, 900. The soldiers
lost 2 large amount Of personal eaec, !,
besides government property In t,.,ei =
possession. They are uuw CT ms..s. .
ably located upder canva,. M nh ,h =
bank oi the river. awaiting furthe,
oEders, "''
What effect the fire will have IN tho
future Of Fort Penbina remains to
be seen: the, burnt portion il small
compared with tho property remain.
ing 10 good condition, aud only fol-
the aim OF certain prominent mill.
tary authorities to concentrate the
United States army Ia. large cities, the
rebuilding Of large and more modern
barracks ut Fort Pembina would onlv
be . matter Of q few months 70 be nd.
oomplished.
Major Hooten's prompt action to
call the soldiers back from the burn.
lng magazine, that would have en-.
tailed . loss ollie beyond comprehen.
zion, had On explosion occurred. IL to-
b commended. and . survey Of the
situation discloses the fact that the
Escape was one chance in . thousa
y pieces Of boards inside were char.
red and the vsrnish on some of the
powder cans matted.
Lieut.. Ely viii commence 10 q day
~ two TO make an OalcIsl survey and
submit . report to the head OF the
var department.. The origin OF tbe|
lre y unknown. but supposed to DO
he work Of An incendlasy.