Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-05-02

Cripple Creek, Colo, Aprll 2o.-lne |
million dollars is conservative estilate |
of the damage done by Saturday AFR
moons fire, though some estimates he
as high as $a,ooo,ooo. The amount Il
insurance, as nearly as can be arrived !
will not exceed $2so,ooo. II
When the fire broke out in Gareyt
secondhand store the danger of a BIZ
conhagration was not perceived and II
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 a
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 1t 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 a tenth part of the goods were
saved. BY the time the postoffice had
caught, 1t 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 firemen, 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 news 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 was
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 about
The face and hands. j. Anderson, while
placing charge of dynamite under the
Sisters hospital to blow it up, had leg
torn off by premature explosion.
The postofice on Bennett avenue is
total wreck, only the vault standing
Twenty thousand letters and thousand,
of packages were destroyed. All thu
books and papers of the First Nationa
bank were saved. The Episcopal anc
CongreG ational churches were destroy
ed. The city jail, in which were con
fined about twenty prisoners, has only
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
were busy and 100 deputies were a
once sworn and the militia was callet
out, but no depredations were commit
ed. Hundreds of people were mad
homeless, but they were given sheltc
by the generous people of the town.
The fallen women were made welcom
In the best houses in the city.
The following is a partial list of tn
heavier losses:
Fowler & Co, grocers ....-...... $500
Smiths dry goods house ...... 1000
Postofhce building. 1900,
Thorsen, dry goods ........... 1900
Weyna Bros, clothing store -. 5000
Gaudolfo fruit stove Q -