The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-05

ST LOUIS. Mo-, Feb. 4-Property TO the
estimated value OF 81. 500 600 was burned to-
day. the greater part OF four blocks OF
buildings and their contents, between Third
and Sixth streets and Franklin avenue and
Morgan street. in the heart OF the retail
section, being destroyed. One fireman was
killed. nine other members of the fire de-
partment were injured more or less severe
ly and Ave or six citizens slightly hurt.
Loss Falls On Many.
The loss on both buildings and stocks of
goods is approximately s.cc0oo. Definite
figures are exceedingly hard to obtain
There were six retail concerns which were
heavy losers. The balance OF the loss is
divided. in varying proportions. among
score or more of small shopkeepers or
firms. Only two concerns suffered loss
of over sio0.ooo-Penny & Gentles and
Schaper Bros. Tho buildings in which the
two concerns were housed were owned by
the Knox estate and were erected at a
cost OF s1s5,oo
Two Heavy Losers.
Penny a Gentles' loss. which was covered
entirely by insurance, is estimated at Sls.-
600. Schaper Bros is estimated at 100000.
These two concerns occupied about half
the block. on the west side of Broadway.
south from the corner of Franklin avenue.
and the buildings were entirely destroyed.
The rest OF the block. on the west side
OF the street. is taken up by the buildings
occupied by the Famous drygoods store.
whose loss was comparatively slight.
ssne Of TIRE Buildings Burned.
on Franklin. just. back OF Penny q
Genties. the buildings occupied by the F'uch
Millinery and Cloak Company. suffered
loss on the stock OF $4,000.
The store occupied by d. Crawford 4
Co., at Broadway and Franklin avenue.
was entirely burned. with a loss on build
ing and stock of $1,000 The Peoples
Housefurnishing Company. at sit North
Broadway. was completely wrecked loss,
$4,000.
At SIC North Broadway Derr Brothers
store, filed with stock OF and lo-cent
goods. sustained a sss.co loss on building
and stock.
Burned Through the block.
The fire swept through the block from
Broadway to Fourth street. and burned
ali the buildings from sT TO 500 North
Fourth street.
These buildings were old three and four
story structures. some occupied as tene-
menis above and stores below. while 9TH
ers we're vacant Here the 81 Louis
Dressed Beef and Provisions Company. Her
both Mercantile Company. the schisler-
Cornell Seed Company and three small
stores suffered an aggregate loss OF $4,000.
while the losses ON buildings amount 10
fully $500
Losaea Partly Covered.
Among the firms and individuals that
suffered heavily from the fire are the fol-
lowing. whose places OF business we're On
the east side Of Fourth and west side Of
Third streets:
A. Nasse. wholesale grocer. Plant Seed
Co. kronning Glass CO.. Bassetfs Plumb
ing establishment. MeLaln n Alcorn
Commission Co. Rueller Block Commis-
sion Co. Nelson Distliling Co, Hake d
sons Commission Co. George A. Ben
ton. produce: Bauer Flour Co, Shaw 6
Richmond. produce.
Their losses aggregate thousands ot dol
lars and are partly covered BY Insurance
Private watchmAn Arrested.
Late tonight John Cummings. private
wAtchuan Of Penny 4 Gennes. was ar
rested and Is being held at the -Four courts
pending an Investigation into the origin
oS tho fre He was taken into custody
Ft-sH'e-NsN@fN
roomlng opposite 20 the effect that she
had seen a man answering the wafchman's
description iighrng matches in the sto
previous to the fre. Cummings denied
having had anything 10 30 with q. aud
states that he vas at home Waen the IRE
hrcke cut.
where the Fire started.
The TIRE broke out AZ o'eiock this mora
Ing In the fve-story brick building az
Broadway aaa Franklin avenue. occupled
hy the dry goods fra es Penny a Cen
ties. and A. few minutes euveloped the
entive structure Sparks ard brands we're
blown In every direction by strong
northwest wind. ard tha destruction az
adjoining property was threatened A
general alarm was frrned in, and socn
e~ery engine IN ,he city was at the scene
or on the way there
on the scuth es PeEny 4 Genti@s' ths
flames communicated with the buildings
occupied by SchAper BEos.. dry goods. an.a
the Famous dry goods store
Flame. Leap the street
IRE burning AREA Increased minute hv
minute. the flames gaining great head
War and feap!ug across 10 she sasr s{.sa