Arizona republican., 1900-07-16

Prescott. Ariz., July7 15.-(Special.)- Prescott today presents a scene of des- olatfon fearful to behold Four and a half blocks, 600 by 300 fe5t. are con- pletely wiped out. Not a building is left standing in the fire-swept district
 The fire started just before Il p. m and was not under control until 4:3O a. m. It was caused by a lighted candle coming in contact with Ioose wal paper in Burchard's store. a two-story frame building on South M5ntezuma street The fire quickly spread to the Scopel building, four-story stone and brick adjoining, and then to the nu- merous frame shacks in it's rear and running back to Granite street. These were quickly licked up by the flames and it is evident now that had dyna- mite been used before the fire reached Granite street it would have been con- fined to a small area and burned itself out. But this was not done. Property owners hesftated to adopt what in th= beginning appeared to be a rash pre- ventative and the result is that more than four-fifths of a valuation of three millions is a total loss.
 SPREAD FROM GRANITE STREET = From Granite strect the fire kept north and spread east to Montezuma and the famous Whisky Row. There was absolutely no water pressure and dcnami,e had to be rescrtad t9. Many buildings were blown out before tn. flames reached the Burke hotll on the corner of Montezuma and Gurley streets, but without avail. Hundreds who were watching or fighting the flames hoped that the fire would be con. fined to the big hotel. But this Wa: not to be. The night, which was per feet one. with not a breath of air stir ring when the fire started, had by thi. time completely changed and a perfcc gale was blowing from the south. Gran ite and Montezuma streets were burned clear through to Gurley. The station cry house of Kellsy & Steve1;s stood or the ccrner opposite the Hotel Burke When i: was seen that tiIs' names would keep on north, the Kelley % !'tcVers establishment was dvnln,itad but the fire was only scattered. II kept it's nOrtherly course until there was absolutely nothing left to burn and had also crossed Montezuma street and attacked the Journal Miner office and Joe Wilsons Gents furnishing store on the corner of Gurley.
 BUSINESS STREET GOES.
 This street was the principal bu<i- ness street of the town and the most costly buildings and largest stocks were confined to it. The wind shifted again and drove the flames with reck- less fury into the very business hzart of Prescott along this str ct. Nsthina could check the fire and the awe-struck populace could only gaze helplessly on The liquor house of Jake Marks and the WinsOr hotel were quickly sn- wrapped. Next came the great Bash ford -Burmister cOmpany's mercantile establishment with it's quarter million stock. This building was supposed to he firs-proof and was built of stone brick and iron. with d sanded roof While the fire was in progress sheets of iron had bezn nailed over all the exposed surface as an additional pro- teei;ion. but all to no purpose. The fir, had gained such headway rE1t noth. ing would check it. This three-stol1 structure melted before it and i marched steadily up th- hill toward. East Prescott.
 In d very short time not building was le1t on GUrley street between Mon tezuma and Cortez. and d half million had been added to the loss.
 STOPPED AT CORTEz.
 On the east side of Cortez street i, the Bellevue house and a long line ot other frame buildings known as Office Row. This row extends nearly to tho depot. offices and yards of the Santa Fe. Prescott & Phoenix Railway com rany. There seemed to be no way Ot saving all this property. But it was saved and also probably ten blocks ot residences in the northeast portion ir a, peculiar mannsr. Two boys who.= names could not be learncd had climbed to the top of the Bellevue House with pails of water and as fast as the flames leapod across to the roofs of Office Row the brave lads checked them with their scanty supply. So while the buildings on that side of Cortez street were blackened and blistered they were saved and the fire was confined to the west side.
 The powder men had by this time be- gun using larger charges and a whole block was blown away on lower CorteZ street The wind died down and in this way the flames were Afectually checked when within two blc41s of the