Arizona republican., 1898-11-24
AN EXTENSIVE LOSS OF PROPERTY
Two Are known To Be Dead, But 1t Is Feared That Many More Were Buried in the Debris-The Building Was
 Long Regarded as Fire-trdp.

San Francisco, Nov. 23-The Bald
 win hotel caught fire at 3:30 this morning and is still burning. but the fire is under control. The number of
 lives is not yet known. Louis Meysr. a cigar dealer cf Skaguay, dropped dead from heart disease caused by the excitement. He was guest of the hotsl.
 The hotsl is a total loss and the Baldwin the2ter was completely demOl- ished by the falling Of the fifth floor. The entire effects of the Secret Ser vice. company which was filling an engagement at the theater, were entire ly destroyed. Nothing whatever was saved. The scenery and stage settings were very valuable. A great deal of jewelry and money belonging to mem bers Of the troupe was lost. In addi- tiOn their contracts were burned
 The wall On the north side of Ellis street appears to be strong, but the west wall, which appears to be very weak. leans toward the interior ruins. The Columbia theater and the base monts Of places Of business opposite the Baldwin were damaged by water to 5he extent Of $f5,G00
 There were 800 people. guests and employees, in the hotel when the fire broke out and a number Of these Deo- pie are thought to have lost their Lives. A man named A. J. White is one ot the victims, but bef5ra he gaze Up his life the gallant fellow saved ehe lives Of three women. The fire is said to have started in the kitchen, located in the basement on the Ellis street side. Inc fire worked it's way up through the flus to 'the sixth fCC- and before the first alarm was sent in had gained great headway.
 The building of the hotel began in 1873 and it was finished in 1877. It's total cost, including the ground and furniture, was $3,000, ,000 The build ing was in the French renaissance style with Corinthian columns and ansard roof, six stories high, and with the principal dome 1G2- feet in height The hotel occupied 8 lot at the gore formed by the intersection Of Market and Powell streets, extend ing about 200 feet On Market street, 400 feet on Powell and 300 fee. On FL lls streets. In the building was the Baldwin theater The street floor of the immense building was occupied by trtol offices harroor0s and numerous stores. In the basement was an eIab- , ely fitted cafe.
 E. J. Baldwin stated this morning tha. ne earned 510J,00 insurance, but l.e could not ramember in what com panies. For years the Baldwin hotel had been regarded as the most danger oEs fire trap in San Francisco, built of woca. six stories high, with narrow, tortuous railways. and it is . wonder Lna: half of the people in the hotel es- caped. They were slow to awaken. Many were dazed and stupefied by smoke when the police, firemen and hotei employees hurrying through the railways, kicked open doors and noti- jed the people of their danger.
 When they managed to reach the windows and fire escapes there were 10 ladders. Many attempted to jump rom he windows to the streets, but were warned not to do so by the crowd below Then the framen get up their ladders and commenced taking the people to the ground, rescuing many in 5nis manner. The death of White was most dramatic. Three women ap-