The evening times., 1896-04-27
MEANT TO LOOT THE BANK |
Cripple Greek Fire Started by
WouId-Be Robbers.
SHERIFF HAD GOT NOTICE
Heavily Armed Deputies Sworn in to
Patrol I he Streets Every Train
Searched for Suspicious Cha acters.
Work OF Rebuilding Already Begun.
Offers of Aid Declined.

Cripple Creek, Col, April 27.-Evidenct
has been secured which indicates that The
| fire at Cripple Creek was the work of an
mcendiary, for the purpose OF making 4
| raid on the First National Bank, which
| now appears to have had on deposit some.
| thing over 100000, on account Of the
near approach of pay day at the leading
mines. Chief Marshall revealed his rea.
sons last night for keeping a heavy armed
| guard in the town.
| He said he had positive information that
| the city was in the hands OF one OF the
boldest gangs in the country, and that the
fire was started to loot the bank during
the excitement Every train leaving tn.
district is searched and every road from
the gold camp is under a heavy guard OF
deputies stationed as pickets all the way
from Cripple Creek to Denver.
BURNED DISTRICT PATRoLLED.
One hundred and fifty men We're sworn
IN TO take control OF the burned district
Each man had big revolvers strapped 10
his side. and the appearance OF winches-
ters was not rarH.
III required more than moral suasion to
preserve semblance OF respect. and save
Tor The fear or lynching, the crowds would
nave reBelied against the seven score men
WHO now patrol the streets, ready to shoot
al the first indication OF nutiny A horde Of
hungry brigands were not deferred by the
risks from venturing forth, bent on plunder.
anu goods disappeared in astounding fash
Ion. building began at daybreak yester-
day. and by O'Clock there were 20 build
ings under process or construction. BY Noon
The vault of the First National Bank was
opened and the contents removed intact,
The work of opening safes and vaults
commenced yesterday morning and in
most cases the contents were found to be
intact. The steel-lined vault OF the post
office had to be blown open with dynamite.
but the valuable governme ut property was
safe. vast amount OF mail matter, esti-
mated at from $4,000 to $4,000 pieces.
was destroyed. The fire burned itself out
about 4 O'Clock yesterday morning. as the
sn"iaering cnbers could not Jump the first
row OF ruins caused by the dynamters.
NO OUTSIDE AID NEEDED.
Fortunately the weather is remarkably
Inc - that sleeping in the open air does
not entail suffering. One OF the first stems
taken by the business men of the place was
the organization of relief committee to
look after tue destitute, At an early hour
'eiesra,ns began coming to the ma yor from
cities and towns or the State offering rinan-
cial aid. These were turned over to the COM
nit'ee. who replied with thanks. but de-
Ginning the kindly offers. Cripple Greek
WI! take care of her own. 1t is not be-
!Icved that this VIII he difficult. for thcr,
Is WORK for every man able to wieid a
or hammer. Mayor Steele prepared the
following proclamation:
To The general public: Committees
have been appointed composed of the NOS,
energetic business men of Cripple Creek,
anu resolutions have been adopted whereby
he entire burned district of eight blocks
VIII he rebuilt as fast as money and labor
ean do so. We believe We can take cara
Of our people without outside assistance |
Everything is quiet. and citizens are seeing
hat order prevails