The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-04-19


red glow like a somber monster OF
hung over the very heart |
of the city. Then through the gloom |
and smoke came the flashing OF
forked flames curling, twisting and
tapping in its Unsuitable NAV every
vestige OF combustible material in
reach and soon the streets were
lined with thousands of willing souls,
battling for their all against the grim
destroyer. For two long hours the
fight continued. the hoarse shouts OF
men and the roar Of the flames max
ing noises At for the internal re-
gions. This giving way to q stub
born, silent, logged warfare with
odds in favor Of the fiery demon con-
tinued through the night until human
endurance could stand II no longer.
The fight became a retreat, the
streets filed with broken furniture,
huge piles Of merchandise were lit
orally q sea OF fame, and in many
instances hundreds of dollars worth
Of stuff saved from the buildings was
burned to an ash heap in the street.
On and on sped the flames. Brick
blocks falling q victim TO its march,
until from sheer want OF substance
the battle was at an end. The gray
dawn showed a scene of desolation
which from comparative circum-
stances is without a parallel in the
history of this country. Almost half
a million dollars worth Of property
had been swept away in four short
hours. In many instances the saw
ing of lifetime had gone out in q
single moment, and dazed by the
dreadful sight, stunned by the mag
nitude OF the disaster, IL seemed TO
even the most hopeful that Ardmore's
prosperity was at an end"
There are in the history OF all
cities definite causes which produce
definite results. Internal strife or
internal cooperation bring disaster
or success, and the city which has
for its leeders active, energetic, pro-
gressive men will continue to grow
and prosper.
Then il was, when face to face
with a disaster, such as we hope
may ne'er again overtake US, Il was
then, even while the very ground
was hot and smoke so dense as to be
almost unbearable the true spirit OF
Ardmore's enterprise was manifest
ed. Before the sun had set upon the
first days ruins, contracts had been
let for new buildings and hundreds
OF laborers we're clearing away the
wreck. Every available man was
given employment. Every lumber
yard was taxed to its utmost. The
brick yards were operated night and
day Stone quarries were opened in
all directions and within the week
walls % masonry began to show their
tops through the debris and the con
struction OF r new city a new Ard.
moce was begun.
Within ninety days from the date
OF the fire s165, 900 worth OF buildings
had been constructed for and were
in various stages of construction
That was the pluck which made oul
Ardmore of today. larger, grander
more beautiful and more substantial
than ever before.
The cuts in connection with thi
article show Main street as 1t was ol
the 18th day OF April 'e5 anothe
shows Main street one day later
the fatal 18th. The third is thu
spot where stood Harper's liver.
stable on Csddo street (only a feV
steps from where IL stands today
and where the hre originated. Tn
blackened carcasses of the horse
are plainly discernible in the picture
and the reality Is yet vividly remen
bered by hundreds of our people
who roamed among the ruins hk
Z sheep without q shepherd.
uyh0,p4-w o0nuh d Fha rnOof A