The times., 1901-04-12
FIRE DOES SERIOUS DAMAGE.
Flames Caused by an Overhcnted
stove Threaten Two Buildings.

Fire was discovered in the building, 4S0
Louisiana Avenue northwest known as
the Lawyers Club" about 1880 o'clock
yesterday morning, and, before it could
be put under control, spread to the Gun
ton Building, adjoining on the right. Both
buildings were badly damaged. The fire
originated in the kitchen of the Law
yers' Club which is conducted as
saloon and restaurant by Mrs. Isabelle
Rudd Three alarms were sounded, TO
which nine engine and hose companies
and three truck companies responded
After a hard fight the firemen succeeded
in subduing the flames.
The police report places the loss at $500.
but those interested believe that it VIII
be nearer $1,000 Charles Walker, color
ed who is employed in bowling alley
located in the rear of the Lawyers
Club" was burned about the face and
hands, while trying to eXtinguish the
flames. and was removed to the Elmer
gency Hospital, where his wounds were
dressed.
The fire is supposed to have originated
from an overheated stove in the kitchen.
The flames spread with rapidity to the
bowling alley adjoining. a barrel of
whisky, which had but a moment be-
fore been put temporarily IN the bowling
alley. ignited. and helped spread the fire
which, by this time, was leaping high into
the air and licking up the canvas avn
ings that shaded the western windows OF
the Gunton Building. Feeding upon these
awnings, the fire soon ate its way into
the Gunton Building itself, driving the oc-
cupants to the street without opportuni-
ty to rescue any Of their property.
The fremen soon deluged the buildings
with water, and after a fight, had the
fire under control within half an hour
after the first alarm was sounded.
The fire was confined to the western
part of the Gunton Building. which was
damaged TO the extent of about $1,000. The
first floor Of the building was occupied
by Milton Barnard, Hufty Hufty and
Peyton Gordon. Their Libraries and guam
titles of valuable papers were either badly
damaged or totally destroyed Their loss
win probably reach $l,5G0 aside from $500
worth Of commercial paper that Mr.. Cor
don says is a total loss. The damage on
the second floor was even greater than on
the first, the loss to Blackburn 4 Black
burn Edward G. Niles. and o. ID. Barrett
exceeding 5000, it is thought. The dam
age to the building, which is owned by
the GuntOn estate, IS sIily covered by IN
surance. Only portion Of the loss sus-
tanned by the tenants is covered by in
suTance.
In the building where the fire originated
! the flames were confined TO the rear pof-
| tion. The upper rooms in the back build
! ing were badly damaged and the bowling
! alley was wrecked The alley was re-
! Gently installed by Mrs. Rudd, and is
! said TO have cost several thousand dol
| lars. Mrs. Rudd also lost quantity of
new and handsome furniture that had but
recently been placed in the building. Her
| loss will be nearly So COO, with but little
! insurance. The building itself VIII re-
| qLire repairs. TO the estimated extent Of
| $Jt9 1t is owned by George j. Johnson,
| who carried insurance.
| Mrs. Rudd had several valuable song
! birds in her dining room, Ouiy one Of
| which, canary, she succeeded in rescu-
| ing. 4 beautiful mocking bird was
| smothercd by the smoke. While trying
| to rescue some papers chat could not have
| been replaced Attorney Gordon burned
| his right hand slightly.
The fire was seen from the windows Of
| the District Building. several doors 20 the
! east. moment or two before the alarm
| was sounded and Commissioner Macfar-
| land, who has immediate charge of the
| fire department, had an excellent oppor-
/ tunitv to time the arrival Of the engine
| companies No. u engine company arrived
| from its quarters on Eighth Street above
| ID street just one minute and thirty-nine
| seconds after the first stoke Of the fire
gong, and fOrty-one seconds later had a
| stream Of water on the fire. The chemi-
| cal company and Assistant Chief Wagner
| were but lew seconds behind 40. II. and
| they were followed Ia rapid succession by
the other companies. lt is understood
officially congratulate the men upon their
| work.