The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-25
TWO KILLED IN
 MOBILE FIRE Early Morning Blaze
 Proves Disastrous. RICHARD H. vIDMER SLAIN He Was Aiding the Firemen When Killed. An Unknown Negro, Who Was Also Assisting, Met Similar Fate.
 Entire Block Threatened by the Flames.
RICHARD H. vIDMER SLAIN
An Unknown Negro, Who Was Also
 Assisting, Met Similar Fate.

| Mobile, Jan. 9, 3 a. m.--(Special)-Two lives were lost in fire at an early hour this morning which destroyed the big wholesale grocery establishment or Michael & Lyons, at the corner of Com merce and St. Michael Streets. and which, at o'clock, threatens the entire square. The dead are Richard H. Vidmer and an unknown negro. both of whom were assisting the firemen and policemen in handling the hose on the St. Michael Street side of the building.
 The two lives were lost by falling walls of the large wholesale grocery establish ment of Michael & Lyons. The flames now threaten the destruc- ton of the entire square.
 Richard II. vidmer was a prominent young timber broker and was one of the most popular young society men in this city. He and the unknown negro were rendering assistance to the firemcn In handling hose, when the wall fell upon them.
 Vidmer was prominent in Hoo-Hoo circles and was we'll known throughout the lumber trade of the country. He was at one time vicegercnt Shark for this State.
 At 3 o'clock the fire has gone beyond the control of the firemen. Every effort is being made to save surrounding prop erty and the citizens generally are help. the firemen. The loss cannot be estinat- ed, but at this time Is easily s2oe,ooo.
 Among the other losers are Henry Piser X Co, dealers in wool hides and junk, the Mobile Cider and Vinegar Works; Hearin, Morris & Co, E. Holz- born & Co, ths aEess.y If George Mc. Fadden & Bros, and the agency of W, N. Thompson all cotton factors and buyers.
 The scene of the fire is the heart of the wholesale district of Mobile. Some of the largest wholesale houses in the State are adjacent to the store of Michael & Lyon, which occupied the first floor of I three story building at the northwest corner of the streets. The upper stories of tho buildings facing on Commerce Street, through which the Louisville and Nash Vile RallrOaQ enters MODlle, are ocCupieo by cotton firms as offices and sample rooms, and this makes the fire more dif- ficult to control.
 Just across the street from Michael & Lyons are the large wholesale grocery houses of T. c. Bush & Co.,. NJ. Porch heimer & Co.,, and the bagging and tie house of Brown & Brown. The hand some Chamber of Commerce building. the second and third floors of which is occu- pied as general offices of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company. is but half a block distanat from the seething mass of flames.
 The block in which the fire is burning is bounded on the east by Commerce Street. on the west by West Street. on the south by St. Michael Street and on the north by St. Louis Street.
 Richard Vidmer was a brother of John R Vidmer, some time we'll known as an officer of the lst Alabama Infantry and adjutant of that regiment during the Spanish war He was also A brother of Lieutenant George Vidmer of the regular army Mir Vidmer was unmarried. He was q member of the Athelstan Club and other Mobile organiza tions.