The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-01-10
DISASTROUS CONFEDERATION.

fire, pistol shots and ringing of the
fire bell hastily brought the greater
part of the population of Crested
Butte out upon the streets. The
occasion therefor was the discovery
that Whipp & Samsel's saloon
building, rented by Quinn & Ryan,
was enveloped in flames from one
end to another, The fire depart
ment, ably assisted by many will
ling citizens, responded with alac-
rity and heavy stream of water
was quickly playing upon the
seething furnace of fame, but
however, it was instantly discerned
that one stream was insufficient to
save the fine K. of p. building
which stood only fifteen feet west,
and therefore, the chemical engine
was ordered out. Drawn by brawny
arms it was rapidly upon the scene
and was stationed at the rear of the
lodge building where it performed
the most effective service together
with one smaller tank.
The origin of the fire is generally
attributed to a defective hue but it
will never be. definitely ascertained.
The fire had possibly been burning
inside one hour before it broke
through the roof and was seen by
the men at work at the ovens.
AS soon as the crowd arrived at
the fire It was reported that Jack
Kennedy, well known here and at
Baldwin, had been left in the
building asleep, having during
several days previous imbibed a
considerable quantity of liquor.
But at the time of the arrival of
the first person to the burning
building it was impossible to res
cue him, and the poor fellow and
a little dog belonging to Pat Quinn
met their death at the hands of the
fire fiend. Nothing but charred
crisp of body was left of unfortu-
nate Kennedy. AS soon as the
fire was subdued search was insti-
tuted for his body and it was found
in a reclining posture on the west
side of the building well towards
the rear. The man was probably
suffocated before the flames reach
ed him.
The heroic and systematic work
performed by the fire department
and number of citizens was the
object of much admiration and
unstinted praise upon the part of
the spectators. Beside leaping
flames the boys had both snow and
ice to contend with in their opera
tions. Mayor Schaefer had the
presence of mind to keep the
workers constantly supplied with
hot coffee.
The building burned together
with its contents was worth at
least $4,000 and no insurance was
carried on either. It was rented
by Quinn & Ryan from the owners,
County Treasurer S. l.. Whipp
and Frank Samsel, of this city. 1t
was unquestionably the best fitted
saloon on the western slope, the
bar fixtures alone costing $1,000.
1t also contained a mineral and
numismatic cabinet valued at ST.
600. The loss sustained by Quinn
& Ryan amounted to about 5000.
Everything was n total wreck.
Coroner O'Regan was telegraph
ed for and he arrived on the noon
train accompanied by Sheriff Wiley
and Attorney Shackleford. A jury
was mpaneled and an inquest held
over the remains. No responsible
ity could be fixed and the jury
merely returned a verdict to the
effect that the deceased came to
his death in burning building.
The funeral of the victim was
held Sunday afternoon from the
City Hall, large number of his
friends accompanying the remains
to the place of interment. He was
about 45 years of age, and save for