Amador ledger., 1901-07-05
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
chinatown Gomplely Wiped
Out.
Eleven Buildings Destroyed.-A Chi
nese Cook Burned.-Losses Will
Foot Up to $4,000.

The most disastrous hle that has
listed Jackson for many years occurred
bout midnight, on Sunday last. AL
hat hour the town was wrapped in
lum Der, save a few whose business
ais them to be around late at night.
The alarm was given by those OH the
treet crying Fire, followed by four
II five loud reports which sounded like
he discharge OF firearms, but which in
act, we're caused by Nightwatchman
Parker firing his pistol TO give the
larm, as the electric fire alarm refused
work. The scene of the fire was
Chinatown, at the north end of Main
ttreet, the most closely packed and ia
lammable district Of the town. The
lanes had obtained d good Roadway
,efore any water could be brought TO
year upon them. 1t was at once rea-
lied that a conhagration of most
dangerous character was in progress,
threatening the whole of the west sid
4 Main street. Fortunately there was
10 wind blowing. The names aud
parks shot straight upward, and to
his fact is due that the destruction Of
property was confined to Chinatown
md its Immediate neighborhood.
HOW THE FIRE STARTED.
Notwithstanding the widest rumors
we're ahoat fol. a while, there is now no
Uncertainty as to how the fire origi-
lated II started in the Chinese store,
he southernmost building of China
own proper, fronting on Main street.
The storekeeper says he took lamp
a his hand TO look for some article,
Ind the lamp exploded. scattering the
lanes all about the store. in which
here was lot of stuff Of a highly rom-
bustible nature. 1t was at once beyond
he control of the Chinese residents
n few minutes the whole OF China
|own was ablaze. The vacant lot in
ront of the joss house. and between
The Chinese store and Mrs. Parker's
residence, Was the means of staying the
march of the flames southwark. As il
vas, the firemen had all they could do
o save the Parker dwelling. 1t was
Lblaze on the roof and north side, for d
quarter OF au hour, aud the battle with
Ehe devouring element was watched
With feverish Interest, d. it was realized
hat upon its outcome hung the fate of
he business portion of the town. For
time the water was very scarce. The
Ire hoses threw a feeble stream.
whether owing to an insufficient
bead. or to so many small hoses being
brought into requisition, we are hot
prepared to say. The fact remains. at
The critical moment there was very
little water with which to cope with
The fire, and this has been The subject
much comment among the property
holders.
On the north the fire made a clean
weep TO the bridge across the creek,
destroying not only the four Chinese
places fronting on Main Street. but also
". S. Gilbert's store and dwelling
house; Thomas Lemin : saloon. owned
BY Hank Talon, and small fruit
tore kept by Lasswel & Bonnefoy, and
|wned by Gilbert
On the west bank Of the creek. the
Zig joss house was consumed, also the
Ehinese sleeping house and small
building in the rear of this used for
am bling. Mrs. Sanguinetti also lost
dwelling house on the west side of the
reek.
When the fire was at its hight, the
leat was so intense TINT the windows
the business houses on the opposite
Ede OF the street few into fragments.
Fot whole window can be found.
he buildings mostly frame, also had
close call. They caught fire repeat
IDLY. A squad OF men were kept on
|he roof with water buckets and hose,
|nd succeeded in preventing the flames
letting the mastery.
The old Gould school house was
Aved. 1t took fire in dozen places,
put the bucket brigade managed to
ave it, although considera bly, dam
[ged.
LOSS OF LIFE.
1t was rumored while the fire was
burning that one Chinaman was miss
hg, and it was feared he had persisted
b the flames. This proved to be too
true. The victim was known as
George. He was employed as cook
one of the fast houses near the gas
FORKS. He was getting along In years,
nd was addicted to drinking TOO free
b. He slept in the building adjoining
The joss house, on the west bank of the
Ireek, fully 100 feet away from the
POINT where the fire started. 1t is be-
keved that he had retired, and was
Ileeping off his booze, when the flames
Taught him in their fatal embrace
His remains we're discovered in a posi-
lion which indicated that he had fallen
but OF his bunk, when the flames had
consumed the supports.
LOSSES.
1t is impossible to secure correct
Estimate of the loss sustained by the
chinese. They lost every thing. They
had no time to get their money and
Faluables. We estimate the loss by
The destruction Of the eight tenemeuts
occupied by the Mongolians, including
contents, at fully Sl2, 600; no insurance.
W. S. Gilbert saved about $500 worth
f stock and furniture. He lost all
be possessed, stock OF notions, dry
foods, etc. He figures his damage at
1880. The fire has left him homeless
nd penniless, with large family de-
pendent upon him. His case is by far
he saddest in connection with this uu-
fortunate occurrence, He had not a
Dollar of insurance.
II. S. Talon suffered to the extent OF
1900 in the loss of the building occu
bied by ThOs. Lemin as saloon. He
vas insured for $400. Thos. Lemin
bad no insurance. His loss in liquors,
furniture, etc., is estimated at 5000.
Lasswell & Bonnefoy, dealers in fruit,
occupying small building adjoining
emip's saloon on the north, lost about
Ecouple Of hundred.
Mrs. j. Sanguinetti in the destruc
ion of a dwelling house west of Jack
on creek, lost about $500. 1t wa,
occupied by her son Lawrence and
family, who also lost considerable il
flothing and furniture.
Mrs. Parker estimates the damage tt
her residence at $500. Insured for $500
n the National.
The old Gould school house, used for
dua1iino alSo euffarod cOnSidara hi U