The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-05-16
FLAME SWEPT.
The Town Of L'Anss Practically Destroyed on
Saturday Last.

On Saturday last fire practically de
troyed the town OF L'Anse. At3 o'clock
in the afternoon fire was discovered on
the second floor OF the L'Anse Lumber
company's mill aud it spread at once 10
the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Rail-
wny compsny's ore dock and TO the
merchandise dock, thence TO the lumber
yard. destroying the whole. Al the time
the fire was discovered quite n strong
Wind was blowing from the south, which
gradually shifted 20 the southwest and
increased in strength so rapidly that all
hope OF saving the north side OF the main
street WAS abandoned, and the attention
OF the firemen and frantic men and
women was turned to save a small por-
ton OF the village lying on the south side
oi the main street, the only portion now
remaining except a lew scattered houses.
In this they were successful. The fire
made rapid progress from west to east,
being famed by a strong wind and level
ing To the ground everything in its path,
forcing people 60 bury their valuables in
the earth before their flight to the hills
surrounding the town. Men. women and
children were without food or shelter.
and many suffered great hardships. The
people took temporary quarters in
sheds and public buildings that escaped
the flames. while Others went to Baragn
to remain until temporary houses are
constructed for them. Some Of the
saloon men are doing business over dry
goods boxes between buildings, and
Others in deserted harms. Where the
once thriving village stood now remains
nothing but smoldering mass OF debris,
and it is very doubtful il the destroyed
portion will again be rebuilt. though the
representative oi the L'Anse Lumber
company expresses the opinion that n
mill will be built. though smaller than
the one destroyed, for the reason that
the timber they possess in the neighbor-
hood OF L'Anse is too limited in quanti-
ty TO warrant the construction of such n
large mill. The origin OF the fire cannot
be positively learned at this time,
everyone being averse to expressing IN
opinion. The heaviest loser was the
L'Anse Lumber company, whose mill
was constructed three years ago at a
Cost OF $4,000, all machinery be ing Of
modern pattern. The insurance on IL is
$50, 900, nearly all placed in eastern
companies.
The ore dock owned by the Duluth,
South Shore & Atlantic Railroad com
pany, which stood between the mill
and lumber yard. which had not
been used in about ten years, was total
| ~ destroyed. 1t was insured for $50 900.
Next to succumb to the flames was the
lumber yard which contained 4 100000
feet, fully insured by its owners. the
Skllings, Whitney and Barns Lumber
company OF 0gdensburg, n. Y.
The L'Ansc Lumber company lost
600, 900 feet OF logs in the booms, with
no insurance. Their store building was
valued at $4,000 and was insured Tor
5000. The stock was valued at $l5,-
600 wnd insured for $40, ,000 the stock
in the warehouse and the warehouse was
worth Sl5. 900 and was insured for $0,-
900. The loss on camp outfits, such aH
sleighs. harnesses, etc, cannot atprcsent
be estimated.
The new Lloyd hotel and furniture was
valued Mt sec, 900, partly insured.
| p. Ruppc 4 Sons lost their store ware
house and stock valued at $40, 900. with
insurance.
William Mengc's buildings were valued
at $4,000, with 81 500 insurance.
Other losses were: The town hall,
valued at So, 900, insured for $4,000;
the home OF Luke Welsh, $4,000, in
snrcd for $4,000; the L'Anse Sentinel
Office and plant, valued at $4,000, in
sured for 81 800; II. Williams, hardware
store and stock, valued at $4,000,
insurance not known; John Campbell's
house, valued at So, 900. insurance So
600, with two other houses, no insur-
ance; NJ. Wallace. livery stable, and
three adjoining buildings, $4,000, in.
suranoe not knowni J. II. Belonga,
saloon, bourding.house and livery barn,
insurance not known; T.. X. McKernnn,
law Office. furniture and library, 81 300
insurance not known; Samuel O'connoll
stock and fixtures for saloon, valued al
81 500, no insurance; John O'Connor'r
residence, valued at $4,000. insurance
: about $4,000.
The Negaunee Herald says that other
individual losses cannot be estimated
conservatively. Many families did not
: save n thing other than the clothes they
, wore at tho time the fire started.
Andrews Opera Company.
The Andrews Opera Company il
, booked to appear AZ Rundlc's Opera