The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-04-30

moons hre, though some estimates are
as high as 100000. The amount of
insurance, as nearly as can be arrived at,
will not exceed $aso,ooo.
When the fire broke out in Garey's
secondhand store the danger of big
conaagration was not perceived and it
was thought that the firemen, who were
early in the scene, would have the
flames under control in very few min
utes. But in a short time the fire had
spread to the adjoining buildings and
brisk wind sprang up. Then Il was
conceded BY all that at least half dozen
buildings near the corner of Meyers and
Third streets would go, and the occu-
pants began to move out But many
had waited too long and were unable to
get to their goods Some barely es-
capped with their lives, several women
being dangerously burned. Every min
ute added fury to the flames, and when
the fire had spread several doors on
either side, the danger of the city was
observed, but no one could realize how
great the damage would be. The heat
became so intense that buildings on the
north side of Meyers street took fire.
Then it was that the occupants OF stores
and offices saw the true danger and be-
gan to make preparations to save their
possessions. Every wagon in town was
pressed into service and goods were
hauled away.
Not tenth part of the goods were
saved By the time the postofice had
caught, it became evident that the only
way to stop the progress of the fire was
to blow up buildings with dynamite.
This was done, under the supervision of
the fremen, and number of buildings
had to be sacrificed before the fire had
reached them
An accident occurred which cost a
fireman his leg He was placing big
charge under the Sisters hospital, when
it exploded, blowing his leg off.
The fire started about l o'clock and by
4 it had demolished the blocks between
Third and Fifth on Meyers, between
Third and Fifth on Bennett, stopping
just this side of the new: Midland depot
and warehouse, between Third and Fifth
on Carr, with the exception of few
buildings on the Third street side.
Nearly all the buildings between Third
and Fifth on Eaton were destroyed
Many people lost everything they had
The people not effected have offered
shelter to the homeless, of which there
are several hundred.
The First National bank was doing
business in another part of town while
their building was burning. The burned
district is to- be rebuilt at once with brick
and stone buildings.
The property on Myers avenue wa,
occupied in the most part by demi mode
and saloons, The two variety theaters
Topic and Hollands, were there and in
Vulnerable dance halls.
Several accidents of minor character
occurred, but none were fatal
Grace Clifton was badly burned abou
the face and hands, J. Anderson, Will,
placing charge of dynamite under thu
Sisters hospital to blow it up, had LEI
torn off by premature explosion.
The postotfice on Bennett avenue is
total wreck, only the vault standing
Twenty thousand letters and thousand
of packages were destroyed. All tn
books and papers of the First Nationa
bank were saved. The Episcopal an,
Congress ational churches were destroy
ed. The city Jail, in which were con
p fined about twenty prisoners, has onl,
( the iron cage left. The prisoners wer
released. Mayor Steele ordered all sa
looms closed, which prevented lawless
ness. A report was started that thieve
t were busy and 100 deputies were a
once sworn and the militia was Gale
, out, but no depredations were commit
ed. Hundreds of people were mad
homeless, but they were given shelte
I by the generous people of the town.
t The fallen women were made welcom
in the best houses in the city.
The following is a partial list of tn
heavier losses;