The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-12

Prescott, Ariz., Sept. 1.-THE town Of
Jerome, near here, was completely
wiped out this morning by fire, entail
ing loss of over $1,000 900 in property.
Eleven bodies have so far been recov-
cred. while a score or more are said
to be in the ruins or missing.
The fire originated from a gasoline
stove in cabin, and spread so rapidly
and fiercely that it was impossible to
save even clothing.
The fire was confined exclusively to
the business portion of the town, ant
the open ground intervening between II
and the mammoth works of the United
Verde company saved the latter's plant,
otherwise the loss and suffering would
have been terrible.
Many people from Jerome are arriv-
ing here on special trains, while those
remaining are being cared fer by the
company. The area OF the fire was
confined to a narrow gulch and ravines
leading to it, in which were located
substantial wooden and stone build
ings, the latter melting as rapidly be-
fore the flames as pasteboard- over
$50 residences, averaging in value $1,000,
% general mercantile and other stores,
saloons, etc, of ali kinds are wiped out.
In short, not a single business house
remains. The only building TO escape
was the Methodist church.
The number of people who are home
less is placed at 1900, and they are
being cared for by Messrs. GirOux and
Allen of the mining company.
Two special trains left here tonight
for the scene of the disaster. carrying
tents and other material 10 comfort the
distressed, and meeting is being held
here tonight to raise money for the
10
loss is complete, but little insurance
being written in that camp. owing to
the great risk and inadequate water
supply. The United Verde manage
ment is now kindly caring for the SUI
ferers until other arrangements are
made.
STARTED BY ITALIANS.
Where the fire originated was the
scene of a drunken carousal last night
and while no demonstrations are being
made against the men who are reSpon-
Sible for it, when the horrors of the
deed wear away from the victims, at
tention will be given to the men who
caused it. They are said to be Italians.
Various parties are now endeavoring
to extricate the bodies from the ruins,
and until the ground cools sufficiently to
permit rescuers to approach the debris,
II viii be impossible to ascertain deli
nitely the names of the victims. Sew
eral prominent mining men in the west
are said TO have been in the town at
the time and are unaccounted for
The fire started at o'clock in the
morning and spread with such rapidity
that in less than two hours not a house
in a radius that would cover five blocks
was left standing.
On the other side of the gulch hun
dreds of pounds of giant powder was
used in the attempt to arrest the
flames by demolishing buildings, but
eyewitneSseS state that as soon as a
gap was made the scattered buildings
were licked up as if by suction and
thrown hundreds of feet in every direc-
ton, only to ignite and increase the
fury of the fire.
1t is said that the entire family, con-
sisting of a man and wife and three
children. who endeavOred 10 save what
they had been years in accommodating,
have been found in the ruins. and as
the arrivals from the scene reach the
city, the devastation reported is only
the more pitiable and sad. DR.. Woods,
the company physician. narrowly es-
capped losing all his patients in the hos
pital, but by good judgment a score of
inmates were saved by him by being
removed early and hastily.
The reservoir which supplies the town
with water was undergoing repairs at
had the water been abundant. after
the fire had gained headway, the result
would have been the same. So COM
plete is the disaster that refugees in
this city tonight are not only penniless,
but are without necessary clothing as
we'll