Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-03-14
WORK OF THE FLAMES.
The Historic Capital Visited by a
Destructive COnflagration
Last Night.
Forty Thousand Dollars Wiped Out
Narrow Escapes-Good Work of
the Fire Fighters.

fires in its history about IL o'clock last
night. The total loss foots up to about
$4,000, with insurance covering about
half the amount lost Fortunately no one
was injured, although there were several
narrow escapes.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
just how the fire originated is uncer-
tain. The superstition is that it started
in Cables undertaking rooms in the old
Herlow hotel building, adjoining the hard
ware store of E. D. Franz. Mr.. Ed.
Franz, who with his wife and baby &C.
cupied rooms in the frame part of the
building above the store, reports that he
retired about 1890.
Soon after he heard single pistol shot
on Water street and shortly after another
on San Francisco street. About the time
the last shot WAS fred the fire bell rang
and Mr.. Franz sprang from his bed. Just
then the flames burst forth from the I'M
dertaking rooms and lighted up his bed
room as bright as day. Realizing the
intlammable nature of the structure he
occupied his first thought was to provide
for the safety of his wife and little one.
Mrs. Franz was naturally very much
alarmed, and, with her baby clasped close
ly in her arms, hurried with her husband
to the stairway leading to the street.
REACHED THE STREET BAREFooTED.
Both reached the pavement without
shoes and very thinly clad, and, after be-
ing provided with necessary wraps at
Staab's store, Mrs. Franz and the
blessed baby were placed in hack
and sent to the residence of Hon.
E. A. Fiske. Not until then did Mr..
Franz think of saving even his personal
effects. When he returned the pitiless
flames we're in full control of the situa-
tion and he was unable to save anything
from his apartments. Even his wife's
gold watch, diamond ring and clothing
we're burned. Nothing was saved except
trunk and few pieces of furniture.
This shows how close the call was. Had
the fire burst forth an hour or so later,
when the occupants of the building and
their neighbors we're asleep, it is not
pleasant to contemplate what might have
happened.
INSUFFICIENT ALARM.
Clearly the original alarm was not suf-
icient. Every chamber in that pistol
fred on Water street should have been
emptied in quick succession. One shot
was not so unusual as TO attract atten-
ton. Owing to the inadequate alarm
fatal minutes elapsed before a general
alarm was sounded and the fire COM
panies and willing volunteer assistants
were on the ground. When help did
reach the scene, however, splendid SER
vice was rendered by the fremen and
many citizens in saving property and
staying the progress of the flames. The
water pressure was ample and it was
most effectively used. The organized
fire department at the United States In
dian school, composed exclusively Of
young Indian boys, arrived on the
ground in incredibly quick time con-
sidering that the Indian school is two
miles from the city, and actively and
effectively co-operated with the city fire
fighters. Much credit is awarded the In
dian boys by all who witnessed their we'll
directed courage and energy. Indeed, no
one seemed to hesitate. All present,
merchants, BANKERS, lawyers and doctors
laborea with will to prevent the further
destruction of property.
| LOSSES SUSTAINED.
The property destroyed is widely
known az the old Herlow hotel structure,
composed of several buildings on lower
San Francisco street, partly frame and
partly adobe, and occupied as places of
business by E. D. Franz, John Hampls,
William Bolander, Albert Call, Wagner
& Haffner, David Lowitzki and Cables
undertaking establishment. The central
part of the structure was owned and oc-
cupied by Mr.. Franz; the western part be.
longs to the estate of Elias Perea and il
mortgaged to Mrs. Frederick Zinsser for
$l,7OO, and the part east of the Franz
store belongs to Justo Armijo and Jacobo
Perea. The loss on buildings will prob
ably reach $4,000, with total insurance
of $4,000.
FIGURES IN DETAIL.
| David Lewitzki, much of whose furnit.
ure stock was removed, figures his dam
age at $3.50. He carries $500 of insur.
ance.
Wagner & Haffner estimate their loss al
81, 2uO, with an insurance of $1,000 on q
stock of $1,000.
John Hample lost his valuable tools
and stock, estimated at $1,500. He is pro-
tected by an insurance policy of $3.50.
William Bolander, the saddlsr suffered
the loss of his entire stock and all his
working tools, estimated at 5000, with nc
insurance.
Albert Call, tho matchmaker, also lost
his tools and stock without insurance
His loss is figured at $500.
Postmaster Gable lost his hearss and
undertaking stock, valued all told at $4,000
The hearse was valued at $1,000. Mr.
Cables net loss over and above the 81 SOC
insurance he carried may be safely placed
at $4,000. He knows nothing about how
the fire originated. Both he and his as.
sistant were up town when the alarm Of
fire was given.
FRANZ HARDWARE STORE.
Mr.. L. D. Franz, of st. Louis, father-in-
law of ex-United States Attorney Fiske
was heavy loser by the conhagration. he
had probably the best stocked and best
equipped hardware store in Now Mexico.
His loss on building and stock is not
less than $4,000 with insurance amount
ing to $4,000. His son, Ed. Franz,
loses $500 on furniture with $40U in
surance. Lost gold watches, diamond
pins, iewelry and other Injuries are
| not figured in this estimate.
RECApITULATIOA,
Loss on buildings. .....................$ $40, 600
| Loss on stocks and tools ................ 24,O50
| Total loss. Observation-Disclosures. $40, $50
| Insurance on buildings ............ $l0,700
! +" g stock ....,...... 49,. 1880
---$29,3OO
Total net loss. sic, $50