The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-04
HELENA'S BIG BLAZE
Men Rushed Frantically While The
Residences Burned.
WATER A SCARCE ARTICLE
Mrs. Conrad Lost $4,000 Worth
or Silver Plate In the Excite
ment-Jerry Collins Loses
Heavily-HsIena News.


Special Dispatch to the Standard
Helena, Jan. "A fire on the wesi
Side this forenoon caused $4,000 dam
age and demonstrated that Helena's
ooasted water supply is a good deal of
myth-at least In the high portions
or the city. Two handsome brick resi-
dences on Spruce street owned by Mrs.
Il. w. Knight and occupied by Mrs.
Mabel B. Conrad and Jerry Collins.
register OF the land Office. were de-
stroyed. The fire started I'm the second
story or the Conrad house. The sery-
ant had built a fire in the room and
left u. few moments later the room
was discovered on fire. A still alarm
was sent to the Fifth ward station. a
few blocks away and brought the fire.
men. who made the coupling quickly.
only to find no water other alarms
brought out the entire department. but
no water. Down in the water com
pany's Office the meter showed full
pressure. while not enough water was
to be had on Upper Spruce street to
drown a cat Men lost their senses and
frantically rushed about while the big
residence burned. Some with more
presence of mind undertook to get the
furniture and valuables out of the
building. Then the Collins house ad-
Joining took fire.
The steamer was brought out early.
but owing TO a defective valve and the
delay I'm getting steam up. IL was over
an hour before the engine would pump.
This alarm was turned in about IL
O'Clock. and IL was nearly 12 80 before
the engine forced the first feeble little
stream on the fire. II was directed on
DR.. Carmichaers big residence. next to
the Conrad house. and by taking a line
OF hose TO the roof the hremen were
able TO save the house
The Conrad house was valued at
$1,000; insured at s3.500. The house oc-
cupied by Mr.. Collins. worth $4,000. was
insured at $1,000 The Carmichael res
idence Is damaged $500. fully covered.
The heaviest loss falls on Mrs. Conrad,
who had $4,000 worth OF silver plate
stored in the attic. In the excitement
II was forgotten and Will be a total
loss unless some OF the metal can be
discovered In the ashes. She also had
much valuable furniture, but most OF
II was saved. Mr.. Collins loss will not
be heavy. as most OF his furniture was
saved. The houses were on high
ground. not much below the reservoir.
Aho w o1hihbtOu 1iity MINING COM
pany of Butte. was Incorporated to-day
by Joseph Morong and others; capital
stock. 100000.
Barney Mullen, a Butte miner, died
suddenly in the Worlds Fair lodging
house to-day. He was taken III early
In the afternoon and died at o'clock.
IL was first believed that he had COM
mitted suicide by taking morphine, but
his friends say II Is not true. and there
is no positive evidence that he took his
own life. He came here recently from
Butte. where he is well known.
Suit was commenced In the district
court to-day against Mary p. Child.
widow of the late w. b. Child. by the
First National bank for $4,000 on
promissory notes.
Sheriff Jurgens has returned Afrorn
Salt Lake City with Guy St. John
Storey. the gay embezzler who jumped
his bail last October Storey says he
Is real sorry he left so suddenly. While
In Salt Lake he Joined the Young Mems
Christian association. sang in the
church choir. quit drinking and tried
to turn over a new leaf. He says he
fully intended TO pay the money for
feited by his bondsmen.