The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-24
GRAND CENTRAL BURNED
A Dangerous Building Removed
by Fire.
A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY
The Origin of the Fire Is Unknown but
1t Is Supposed to Have Been
Started by Tramps-Impossi-
BILE to Save 1t.

Missoula, Jan. 2s.--The fire fiend
played to a large and appreciative aud
ience at ! o'clock this evening, some
thing like 5000 people witnessing the
destruction of the Grand Central hotel,
a massive three-story frame structure
located Immediately opposite the rail-
road depot and almost adjoining the
Montana hotel, a large brick on the
west, and separated only from the de-
stroyed building by one-story frame
warehouse stored with hay, the pro-
perty of Murphy & Worden. The ele-
ments We're at their best and aided ma
terially in the magnificent and thrilling
display which continued for about an
hour. With clear sky and breathless
atmosphere, the flames were confined
strictly to the burning building. The
fire not even extending to the adjoin-
ing warehouse, though the heat there
from did some damage to the west
openings of the Montana hotel. which,
for while, were in imminent danger of
becoming ignited.
The cont1agration was of about an
hours duration, and barely a vestige
remains to designate the immense
structure which has gone up in smoke.
Like the incipent blaze which occurred
in the building ten days ago, the orr
gin of the fire is unknown beyond the
presumption that it was started by
tramps, though there 10 no particular
foundation for this belief. When first
discovered, the building from the sec
ond story upwards was a mass of
flames, and the fire had been extended
to the ground floor by the time the de-
partment arrived on the scene.
1t was soon ascertained that it was
impossible to save the premises, and the
firemen devoted their energies to the
adjoining warehouse, and the Montana
hotel with telling effect, and greatly to
the admiration of the spectators who
spared no applause or words of COM
mendation at the pretty work exhibit
ed The water for the purpose was am
pie, which, with the systematic efforts
of the department demonstrated what
can be done when occasion requires.
The building was an old structure
erected about 10 years ago, though it
has been renovated several times. 1t
was built by John Shaughnessy, and in
early days was popular hostelry with
the railroad people. About two years
ago it fell into the possession of a
Philadelphia loan company and which
has since owned it. During that time,
however, 1t has been unoccupled, and in
such condition has been on fire several
times and invariably the cause there
for unknown. The building has been
considered always a menace to the
neighborhood, and it was with feelings
of relief the spectators. and especially
the adjoining property holders saw the
structure go down in ashes.
While the building originally cost
something like $4,000, it has lately been
considered as worthless and non-pay-
ing proposition. The loss is total; in
surance $500. The loss on the warehouse
and contents is nominal. Damage to the
Montana hotel from broken windows
and scOrched easements and damage
to furniture in the rooms will aggre-
gate $500.
No incidents of a sensational nature
are reported in connection with the af.
| fair, all one hears being only express
sions of satisfaction at the removal OF
| the dangerous landmark