New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-28
THE WORK OF INCENDIARIES
ARMED MEN GUARDING THE RUINS OF
CRIPPLE CREEK
BELIEF THAT THE BIG FIRE WAS STARTED BY A
GANG THAT INTENDED TO LOOT A
BANK IN THE EXCITEMENT.

Chicago, April "A dispatch from Cripple Creek.
Col says: Evidence has been secured which indi-
Gates that the fire at Cripple Creek the work Of
an incendiary, for the purpose Of making raid on
the First National Bank which now appears 20 have
had on deposit something 100000. account
OF the approach If pay day at the leading
mines Chief Marshall revealed his reasons last
night for keeping a heavy armed guard In the
town. He said he had positive information that the
city In the hands OF one of the boldest gangs
in the country. and that the fire started to loot
the bank during the excitement. Every train leav-
ing the district is searched and every road from
the gold camp IL under heavy guard Of deputies sta
toned pckets all the way from Cripple Creek to
Denver One hundred and fifty men were sworn In
to take control OF the burned district and regulate
with rods Of iron Each man had big revolvers
strapped to his side. and the appearance OF Win
chesters not rare. 1t required more than moral
suasion preserve a semblance Of respect and save
for the fear of a lynching. the crowds would have
rebelled against tn sevenscore men who now patrol
the streets ready TO shoot at the first indications or
mutiny. hungry horde o. brigands was not de-
TERED by the risks from venturng. bent upon plum
der and goods disappeared in astounding fashion
Building began at daybreak yesterday. and by
O'Clock there twenty-five buildings under
process Of construction. BY noon the vault OF the
First National Bank was opened and the contents
rescued intact.
THE work OF opening safes and vaults began yes
terday morning and In cases the contents
found bc untouched The steel-lined vault OF
the postofficc had be blown open with dynamite
but the valuable Government properly was safe.
large amount of mail matter estimated az IRON
25 900 TO 3 pieces destroyed. The nie Durned
itself out about o'clock yesterday morning. as the
smouldering embers could not jump the hrSt TO"
erected by the dynamters. 49,, a. -
Fortunately The weather is remarkably me- SO
that sleeping In the open air does not entail suffer
ing. and few have been compelled to do this one
OF the first steps taken by the business men OF tne
place was the organization OF Relief Committee 10
look after the destitute Al an early hour teegrsms ns
OF the State, Offering financial aid. These were
turned to the committee who repned Win WIN
thanks, but declining the kinlly oners Culpp.11
Creek will take care OF her own. 1t s not believed
that this will be difficult for there Is WORK ior very
man able to WELD n shower hammer. Mayor
Steele prepared the following proclamation: ,oor
ITO the General Public: Committees nave oeen
appointed composed of the most energetic business
men of Cripple Creek. and resolutions nave S pen
adopted whereby the entire burned district OF eisht
blocks will be rebuilt as fast as money ana aoor
can do so We believe We can take care OF our pto-
Die without outside assistance Everything Is que''
and citizens are seeing that order prevails