New-York tribune., 1900-07-16
les, MISSIONARIES AND OTHERS
LOSS OF 4 MILLION IN PRESCOTT.
BUSINESS PORTION OF THE ARIZONA CITY
DESTROYED BY FIRE

Prescott, Ariz., July 15.-Tottering walls and
piles OF charred and burning debris are all
that remain of the large portion of Prescott's
business district. Fire. which wrought over
S1,OOO,O00 damage, started at 1915 o'clock last
evening and burned unchecked until o'clock
this morning. when the fire fighters went a con-
siderable distance in advance of the flames and
blew up the buildings on the south side of
Goodwin-st., preventing them from crossing that
street.
The burned district embraces five blocks, in
which were the principal mercantile houses, both
banks. both telegraph offices. three newspaper
plants four hotels. every saloon and every
restaurant. except one, in the town. besides
scores of private residences To add to the pre-
vailing gloom, a high wind prevailed to-day.
sending smoke, dust and burning embers in
every direction. Only the greatest vigilance
prevented another outbreak Of the flames.
Owing to the chaotic condition existing to-
day. it is impossible to obtain an accurate ac-
count of the loss of individual insurance. In
surance agents estimate the total Insurance does
not exceed $550,000.
The heaviest losers are: Bashford, Burmiester
Company. $250,OO0: Sam" Hall, $4,000; Hotel
Burke, $50 600; D. Levy & Co.. $4,000; Jake"
Marks. $4,000; r. H. Burmiester & Sons Com
pany, $4,000; c. A Drake $4,000; Edward
Block, $25 900; ]. w Wilson, $50 600; Kelly &
Bank of Arizona, $4,000; Prescott Nationa,
Bank, $4,000 Prescott House. $4,000; W. H.
Smith, $4,000; The Courier" $4,000; Golden
Eagle Hotel $1,000; Scopel Block. $4,000; F G.
Becht $4,000; Windsor Hotel. $4,000; Noun
tain City Drug Store. $4,000; Brinkmeyer Hotel,
$4,000; Cabinet Saloon $4,000; Palace Saloon,
$4,000; Prescott Electric Light Company,
$1,000.
In addition to the above there were fourteen
saloons, with losses ranging from $1,000 TO
So, 900. Five restaurants. five barber shops. two
meat markets and sixty residences were de-
stroyed. In many cases the above losses do
not include the buildings.
At daylight teams were hauling lumber to the
public plaza, which was soon covered with tents
and temporary frame buildings. The occupants
will be ready for business tomorrow Both
banks have had temporary quarters secured.
and will he open tomorrow.
w. A, Clark. of the United Verde Copper
Company who visiting the works at Je
rome teIegraphed draft for $500.
All the sufferers from the fire have been pro
vided with food, shelter and clothing and it is
not thought that any outside assistance will be
required.
OF the business houses only three drygoods
stores, three grocery stores and two drug stores
re emain The express and post offices were both
out of the fire limits.
The official statistics of the census of the Ter
rltory in the office of the Supervisor of Census,
in the Prescott National Bank, were removed
to place OF safety.
The Western Union Telegraph Company has
opened a temporary Office in grocery store.
The Postal company has opened an office at the
railroad station. The electric light poles and
wires were destroyed in the burned district, and
the town will be in darkness until they be
replaced over half the telephone instruments
were destroyed and the service was paralyzed.