Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-07-19
BIG FIRE IN PRESCOTT
Losses Aggregate More Than
100000.
MANY HOMELESS AND PENNILESS

Principal Business Portion Of the Tow"
Destroyed -- Merchants Ready
for Business In Ients.
Prescott, Aris.. July IA scene Ok
great desolation and feeling OF deep
est gloom pervades this town today.
All that remains OF the principal bus'-
ness portion OF the town is tottsilng
walls and piles OF charred and burn inH
debris.
The fire. which started at 1O:4b
O'Clock last night, was not under con-
troll until 8 O'Clock this morning, when
the fighters went considerable dis'
lance in advance of the flames and blew
up the buildings on the south SIDE OF
Goodwin street, preventing the hre
from crossing that street. The most
conservative estimates Of the total losses
are from $1,000, 900 to $l,6Oo'o Oo.
The burned district embraces five
blocks, in which were located the prin'
cipal mercantile houses, both banks,
both telegraph Offices, the three news
paper offices, four hotels, and every
saloon and restaurant except one III
the town, besides scores OF private resi-
dences. To add to the prevailing
gloom, high wind has prevailed all
day. sending smoke, dust and burning
embers in every direction, requiring
the greatest vigilance to prevent an
other outbreak of the flames. Owing
to the chaotic condition existing today,
it is impossible to obtain an accurate
account of the loss or individual insur-
ance. From interviews with insurance
agents, the total insurance does not ex'
coed $3.50, 900.
At daylight this morning teams were
at work hauling lumber to the public
plaza, and this evening it is covered
with tents and temporary frame build
incs. The occupants will be ready for
business tomorrow. Both banks have
secured temporary quarters and will be
open tomorrow. The Bashford'Bur'
meister Com pany will be open for bust.
ness tomorrow in their warehouse, two
blocks from the plaza.
Hon. w. A. Clark, Of the United
Verde Copper Company, who was visit
ing the works at jerome, wired draft
for $500. All the sufferers from the
fire are provided with food, shelter and
clothing, and it is not thought any
outside assistance will he required.
The only business houses remaining
in the town are Goldwater Bros. A.
Rlumberg and Mrs. K. K. Blaine, dry
goods; Joseph Dougherty, I. W. Otis
and J. ]. Gardner, grocers, and w. w.
Ross and W. =. Covillaud, drug stores.
The express office and postoffice were
both out OF the fire limits, but the
latter had close call. All the mail
and effects were ready to move 1t y
notice.
The office of the supervisor Of census
for the territory was located in the
Prescott National Bank building, and
contained all the ofiicial statistics OF the
census OF the territory, hut they were
to place Of safety.
The Western Union opened its Office
this morning in y grocery store, and
the Postal has opened an Office ut the
railroad depot. The electric light
poles and wires were in the burned dis.
trict, and the town will be in darkness
until they can bs replaced. The com.
pany also owns the telephone system,
and loses more than half its inetru
ments.
Many citizens who yesterday were
com fortably fixed are today homeless
and penniless. y number losing both
their business places and their resi-.
dences. An army Of carpenters have
been busy all day putting up temper.
MY structures. many OF which have
been completed and will open for husi.
ness tomorrow.
OF the three printing Offices in town
all that WAS saved was about 80 cases
OF type by the Courier. The destruc
tion OF the others was complete. J. c.
proprietor Of the Journal
Miner. saved only his books. Included
in his loss WAS Mergenthaler linotype.
installed in the Office only three months
ago. The two papers have already
made arrangements for continuing pub.
LEGATION. although but little ineurance
was carried BY either. Most of the
heaviest losers will rebuild 1t once.
The origin of the fire wss unknown
until this evening, when it Was learned
that man rooning over the bottlinE
works was lying in bed reading BY
candlelight when . piece OF loose paper
On the wall caught FIRE. lie ran out
10 give the alarm, and before others
reached the place the FIRE wae beyond
control.
Moro Raiue IN Teaas.
Dallas, Tex. July l7.-Northern
Texas has been tieluged by raine for !