The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-01
THOUSANDS HOMELESS
PEOPLE OF CRIPPLE CREEK FORCED
TO PASS A NIGHT IN TENTS.
Much Suffering from Cold and Snow
Insurance ON the Burned City
May Reach 100000.

CRIPPLE CREEK, Col, April 3O-Thou-
sands OF homeless people shivered about
camp fires wandered among the ruins of
this once prosperous city throughout the
night. The cold was severe and toward
morning snow began to fall. During the
night, for distance of mile to the right
and left, the burning embers presented a
sight most Incompatible. Standing on the
hill beyond the burned district and 10 the
west the picture was one of huge bowl
with the steam rising abov,. Everywhere
along the thoroughfares can be seen the
work OF dynamite-a great mass of kiadling
wood. A company OF the Colorado National
Guard is on duty In the burned district Nu-
merous arrests had been made in the out
side district, resort to which had been made
by the vagrant element which lately has in
tested Cripple Creek Where possible, the
residents pulled the houses down, and if that
failed blew them up. A rumor is in circula-
ting fire to dwelling on Capitol Hill and
was shot by resident just a firebug
was shot and kiilet by Floyd Thompson
tor, has employed two fire wardens for
every business block In that city, Ii has
been rumored that firebugs are after that
town as well as Cripple Creek. A man was
caught In the very act of firing the rear of
me Newell Hardware Companys store. He
The total loss by yesterdays fire is esti-
mated at 81 100000. The insurance will prob
ably foot up between 900 and $500, ,0O0
The heaviest losers are as follows: Louis
Hotel. $4,000 Portland Hotel. $4,000, and on
furniture 5000 with insurance on furniture
Of 5000; w. T. Booth. furniture, 5000
Wright Hardware Company. S20.0OO FL Paso
Lumber Company. $1,000; Heller's drug
run up as high as so 600. an the local news
papers, banks and express offices and nearly
all the stores. restaurants and lodging
houses were wiped out.
Mr.. Benjamin Brewer, Of Denver. who is
president and manager OF the Portland
Hotel Company. Indignantly repudiates the
insinuation of T. j. Moynahan, owner of
the hotel, that yesterdays fire was of in
cendiary origin. Mr. Moynahan stated to
furniture was worth only $780, and that
Brewer had half Of II. which he owned.
insured for 5000. Mr. Brewer says the
furniture cost $500 and was insured for
A dispatch from Denver says: President
Steele, OF the Chamber of Commerce. called
a mass meeting OF citizens to-day TO con-
slider measures Of relief for Cripple Creek.
was received from Secretary Jackson. who
went to Cripple Creek last night. saying that
three thousand peop,e are homeless and
many destitute. He reports that there are
not enough provisions In the district to last
twenty-four hours and there is great need
OF cooking utensils. The Rocky Mountain
News has started a popular subscription. A
mass meeting was also called at Colorado
Stratton. the millionaire mining man, sent
trainload OF provisions from Colorado
Springs to Cripple Creek for free distribution.
There Vas ,a report rhss rr four men men had I'd been
cendiarism. but the story was not con-
frmed-