The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-20

The Catholic Church OF the Sacred Heart.
conducted by the Reienapiarist fathers.
one OF the finest houses OF worship in the
city. was totally destroyed by FIRE early
yesterday morning, entaii:ng loss essi-
mated ar from $25.00o TO ele. There is
hardly doubt that the flames were start
ed by the torch of an ncendiary.
The church was a large brick structure
in a Gothic style of architecture. and stood
on the northeast corner or Sixth avenue
and Bell street. covering almost an entire
lot. 6axl2o feet. Though Its exterior was
plain. no expense had been spared in the
interior decorations and furnishings which
were on a scale OF lavish magnifeence. To-
day only the four bare, windowless walls
remain standing. All else was licked up h.
the flames that made the interior of the
church a furnace. belching forth fires that
redeemed the landscape for miles around.
until It's lur.d light was dimmed by the
dawn of morning.
The flames were first noticed breaking
through the roof at the rear end of the
building. at about ) O'Clock and reported to
the firemen at the Battery street engine
house, three blocks away. by the policeman
on duty in the neighborhood. Engine Conn
pany No. 1 and Truck Company No. l re-
sponded to the alarm. ana were followed
Anne station, and Hose Company No. ,.
from the Pine street engine house. Fire
Chief Kellogg was notified py telephone.
When the firemen arrived they say there
was no hope of saving the church The
fire was raging in the rear of the church.
sweeping through the ehancel. consuming
the three imposing affairs with its fierce
breath. and roaring UP through the rafters
and along the ceiling toward the front OF
building Wafer obtained H.
out difficulty, but the weak stream thrown
by old-fashioned Engine No. was pitifully
inefficient. and though the iiremen worked
like heroes. the hungry flames devoured the
woodwork of the interior In disdainful dis
regard of their effort.
Gathering Of the Crowd.
Hundreds of people attracted by the glare
of the flames began gathering at the scene
of the confiagration, and volunteers with
out number offered their services in drag
cling the heavy lengths of hose from the
hydrants into the blazing building, but the
flames were beyond control. Ruthlessly
they consumed the rich hangings, paint
ings and ornaments OF the interior of the
church and shattered with Their fierce heat
the costly stained glass memorial windows.
Less than half an hour after the alarm
was given Chief Kellogg arrived from his
home on Seventh and Columbia streets,
over mile from the fire. Even before he
left his house he saw thar the church was
doomed. The whole roof was nearly gone
and the blaze lighted up the city so that II
was as light as day at his bedside.
Upon his arrival he ordered the firemen 10
abandon their efforts to save the church
and TO look 10 the adjoining buildings. The
advice came none too early. brisk south
west wind was carrying huge cinders and
blazing fire-brands from the church and
deposit.ng them on the roofs of the houses
across the street and upon the four story
wooden building adjoining the church used
as a residence by the priests The houses
opposite the church we're not injured. but
the priests residence was seriollsit dam
aged. The roof was entirely destroyed, and
on the side neares. the church the fire
burned down into the top story.
With Chief kellogg arrived chemical No.
!. hose company No. and truck company
No. 9. A little later some well-meaning In
dividual rung in an alarm from box - and
engine companies Nos. 8 and responded.
but their servicss were hardly necessary.
A Grand Night scene.
After the church was abandoned TO its
fate the confagration became a grand sight
and attracted a crowd of Loco or 1850 per-
sons from all over the city. After the roof
fell in the dry wood work Of the Interior
blazed up sending a column OF smoke and
fire hundreds OF feet into the heavens pal
ing the stars and making 1t as light as day
for mile around on every side The bel
fry on the front east end of the church,
was the last thing to go.
Il stood tall and black against a back
ground of fire until 4:3o o'clock. Gradually
the flames Tapped away the interior of the
tower The smaller OF the two bells. weigh
ing about one half ton was looSened from
It's support and fen with a loud crash upon
the larger. which. swaying under the shock,
toled loudly It's own funeral kneli Then
IT. too plunged down into the ruins, dead
weight OF i.1ep pounds.
Then a thin tongue Of smoke and flame
starting at the base Of the tower wound
It's way a fiery serpent OF destruction. 10
the utmost tip OF tn. spire and eating is
way through the shingles released the inn
prisoned flames within. The structure
tottered and inclined slowly 10 the south.
Then headlong IL plunged. a mass %
brick and charrsss tirnbers. into Bell street
and The fire was virtually at an end.
While the efnDsrs were still glowing the
priests employed workmep 10 clear UP the
debris and by noon the streets and
grounds about the ruined church Were
wholly cleared of eharred tinbers and the
sightiess windows were boarded 1p to se-
cure .ae ruins against the Intrusion of
sneak thieves and relic hunters VINO came
wsth the crowds Of Sunday sightseers that
stood in the muddy streets about the
burned building and speculated upon the
causes Of the fire.
Indications of Iucendia risni
There Is scarcely !oubt that the are
was the work OF an insendiary. The
priests more than suspect IL, the laymea
say SO BNslts anu sElfsf AeIHgG agrees
with the latter. The first arrivals on the
scene after the flames were discovered
agrees, in stating that one of the rear ain
dows 81 the church was found broken az
though 10 admit III. entrance and exit of
the inssndiAry and the IRE started In a
meet unlikely locality 10 have been the
result ef accident Their. had beers .41
fire in the faruac. IN tine basement FOR
more than twelve hours and no tights
were b4lrn.ng or had BEEN lit for several
days.
aseiy Kind. ed Ia the cAaReel and that the
c8nrsgrEtion &as the cuEIninaslesu OF a
series os four attempts which have been
made io burn tine building The iast ~
these was neaTsg year ago when a fire
vas started Al tAa main entrance or the
church. bat found and exgiaguishea be-
fore {; gained hcedw4y. The motive q,
sne iuccndtarN ts a mystery
n thing fran he sY,rsx~t