The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-17
PANIC BARELY AvERTED
Butte Was Visited by Most
Disastrous Fire.
SUFFOCATED BY SMOKE
Lodgers in the l. o. o. F. Building Have
a Narrow Escape From Frightful
Death-Stock of the Boston
Store Total Loss.

CURED last evening and destroyed
about $4,000 worth of property. The
losers are George s. Hoaglin, proprietor
of the Boston store at "a and 80 West
Broadway, whose general merchandise
stock is nearly a total loss, and Fidel-
ity lodge, No. s, l. o. o. F., owners of
the building, which was damaged to the
extent of 81 900 or 81, SOC
The fire had made such Roadway be-
fore it was discovered that the whole
interior of the store was a blaze when
the fire department reached the scene,
and but for the exercise of wise judg-
ment on the part of Chief Flannery
in directing his men, and energetic
work on their part, grave disaster
would have resulted.
The building in which the fire oc-
CURED adjoins Maguire's opera house,
where performance of Under the
Dome" was in progress, and a panic
was barely averted and in rooms over
the store We're dodgers, who had a mar
row escape from suffocation, but the
panic was ayerted, the dodgers rescued
by brave men and no one was injured.
IN little more than an hour after the
ire broke cut it was entirely extin-
gulshed
The fire was discovered by number
of boys, who were lettering about the
entrance 10 the thea1er. They saw
smoke issuing from the front of the
building and set UP a cry OF fire. 1T
was taken uD ana carried down the
street, and Night Jailer Sol Levy, VINO
CHANGED to be near the fire department
headquarters, hearing the cry, ran in
and alarmed the department. The
teams were hitched in IL twinklng, and
second later d police nicer turned III
the alarm from Box AZ, and in short
order the 1ena he
ground.
By that time smoke was pouring out
of the burning BUILDING in clouds, and
the people in the crowd that had al
ready gathered expected to witness a
great calamity, for the appearance of
The burning store impressed the on
lockers with the idea that great con-
migration was coming, and all knew
the theater was packed. The chemical
was quickly put into action, the front
door broken open and the stream
turned on. AS the door came open and
the draught struck the smouldering
fire, the whole interior became in an
instant glowing flame. and the smoke
rolled out in terrifying volumes, which
soon spread the alarm to the theater.
In the lobby of the opera house Man
agef Hogan of Lincoln j. CATERS I'm
der the Dome" company which was
giving its last performance, stood talk
ing to Manager John Mcguire and ST.
| las King. He was telling them a fun
ny story, which ended very abruptly
when the danger was realized, and
Messrs. Hogan and Mcguire started for
the stage. They ordered the doors
| thrown open as they went, and walking
leisurely to the stage, so as not TO pX-
cite suspicion of the danger, ordered
the curtain rung down. Then Mr.. Ho-
gan, followed by Mr. Mcguire and Ac-
tor a. w. Fremont, stepped in front
of the curtain. Mr.. Hogan addressed
the audience in calm tones, saying:
Il am afraid we shall have to dismiss
| the audience, as Il fire is in progress
in close proximity to the theater There
appears to be no immediate danger
but | consider ii safest to notify you
and if the danger increases we will no.
tify you in ample time. ! would ask
the men particularly - be cautious, for
we have women in the house whom the
men must protect
Mr.. Hogan spoke in louder tones as
the audience began to rise. and it
looked as though there would be a rush
for the doors. He was none TOO quick.
for before he had finished speaking II
frenzy seized some of the spectators.
Three women tainted, and for an in
slant it looked as though the dread
theater- panic would ensue. but Mr..
Hogan in reassuring tones, added to by
those of Messrs. Mcguire ana Fremont,
who now lifted UP their voices also.
had the effect of quieting the $40 or
more people, and the usually cool
headed Butte audience regained its
senses and settled down to CONF oshrc.
The few who had preeipitatediy made
their escape returned to their seats and
the play went on with all danger of
panic averted
Meantime the fire department had
done excellent work ana streams were
playing on the fire from the front and
rear, and although 1t was abNIous that
there would be no spread, still u WAS
burning fiercely, and to pe absolutely
on the safe side. Chief of Police Null
holland gave orders to have the audi
ence in the theater dismissed At Ine
close of the second act, and Manager
Hogan again went on the stage and
informed the audience of the chiefs or
der. He assured the people there was
no danger, and told them to take their
time, and they did so, filing out in good
order
Thomas Stees, the oldest odd Fell
low in Montana. with his Wife, occu-
pied rooms on the third floor of the
building. Mr.. Stees is in the sos, and
nearly paralyzed. and Mrs. Stees. being
also infirm, their daughter and son-in-
law. Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Barrett. were
staying with them, accompanied by
their little girl. Suddenly their rooms
began TO fill with smoke, and before
the old couple could be removed Their
was grave danger of their periSning. j.
F. Davies, r. ]. Harrison and Joseph
F. Mcqueen had just been visiting the
family. and had left but q few min
utes before. When they heard the
alarm they ran to the scene Of the lire.
and. taking in the situation, they real
lied the danger of the old couple and
bolted uD the stairs. The smoke was
something terrible by this time. but
they pushed on, and reaching the
rooms of the Stees, with the assistance
of Mr.. Barrett and Chief Flannery.
soon carried the old couple, Mrs. Bar
rett and the child to safety. They We're
taken to a restaurant nearby. and from
there removed in a hack 10 the home Of
MIR. Barrett, a [ No. Sol West QIartZ
street.
The smoke continued To pour out OF
the building for some time in great
volumes, but the flames We're subdued
soon after the department got 10 work
and held down to smouldering state
until entirely extinguished
II was a most excellent piece of work