Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1901-07-11
Reigned as the Sea Of Fire Swept
From Building to Building
Threatening the Destruction
Of the Entire Eastern Section
Of Town.

The noise made by the terri
fed animals in the stable, attract.
ed the attention Of Mr.Crouch, be.
fore The presence of the fire was
discovered.
Upon investigating he discov
cred ,ha' slsll, Immediately in
the rear Of The harness room, and
vii ich ad butn otcubitd
by one OF the employees,
was mass Of seelhing flames.
The freLSy Of the ttrrifiid ami
mals made q eir removal from The
burning structure, most difficult
tack, bu' with The assistance Of
men, who we're summoned by the
cries of fire, the stable employees,
effected the removal of all without
injury.
BY the time the horses were led
from the building, two great later.
al arms Of fame, were sweeping
through, from end TO end. making
the removal OF the many vehicles
housed in the structure, an i'm.
possibility. In a moment, The
fiery tongues were licking up the
linder.like shaoks, near the stable,
and were rolling in one great
wave Of fame toward the stone
walls Of the Mcclellan building.
Fencing and rubbish in the rear Of
that building, fed the roaring
flames as they swept up the walls,
eating their way through the dry
vindow frames, and tppbling
over the roof Of The dooMed slruct
urr, cent showtrg Of sparks and
blsging d,bris, to the roofs Of the
surrounding buildings,
Toward the west, The flames had
lesped the street, sending spiral
lines Of fire racing up telegraph
polee, and a moment later, touch
ing the frame building occupied
by Turner Glover, consumed II,
before the occupants had lime 10
remove all their effects. Their
westward course was checked at
the Ksllam Testsurant, the inter.
veDing distance, aud the timely
aDsislance of the water carts, re-
sulting 10 that building escaping
with only a soroching.
Toward the east, several shacks
and sheds, had added fuel to the
rapidly spreading flames; that
we're reaching toward tine old
Bluejacket store, now occupied by
a negro barber shop and billiard
room, owned by Steve Hill.
After bard light in the intense
heat from the roaring mass Of
flames that scorohed the side of
the building. the course of the FIRE
was stopped. Ii continued to rage
in The Mcclellan building, whose
stone walls held the flames and
prevented the total destruction of
he enlirp east aide. The side
walls remained intact throughout
the 6rery ordeal, but the brick
front Of the building, which had
hplged outward frop the heat,
came crashing downward just as
the fire was gotten under control.
Many exciting fealsyes marked the
long battle with the iames. The
family Of Dan Weir, who occupied
apartments over the burned stable
bad a narrow escape from the
aames that enYeloped their home
just as they were descending the
steps to the street. All their
household equipment was totally
destroyed.
The family OF Tony Mainey who
occupied rooms over the store in
The Mcclellan building. we're en-.
gaged in removing their house.
hold effects when the flames at.
lacked that building. Mrs. Mat.
ney became hysterioal and refused
10 leave, though warned by those
below Of the rapid approach Of the
aames. Thin volumes Of smoke
that we're sitting upward through
Ihe steps showed that her escape
would soon be cut of, James S,
Davenport realizing her danger,
dashed up the stairs, now smold.
sring, and despite the frensied wo-
mans struggles, carried her safely
% the street. A moment later the
sleiFway was enyeloped in flames.
Henry Knight, who WAS one Of
Ioremost OF the fire dghters, was
ais op the bead by a piece Of fly.
ng debris, sustaining q painful
'calp wound.
Several Others we're seogehed
'nd bruised, but noLe seriously.
The principal loss Of the are
vlll fall on l.. Q. Couch and Q. NJ. |
Mcclellan, Of Claremore, owners