The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1902-02-06
Is BAPTIZED WITH FRE.
Four Acres Of Best Business Section
Of Waterbury, Coma, Re-
duced to Ruins.

Of Waterbury, Coma, Re-
duced to Ruins.
FLAMES SWEEP THROUGH THE CITY.
Firemcn Utterly PowerIess to Stay
the Relentless Fire Fiend-Outside
Militia Called Out-FinnnciaI Loss
Will Reach over s%8,OO0,OoO.
Waterbury, Conn, Feb. 4-For ten
hours Saturday night and Monday
morning flames famed by high wind
held sway owe the business portion
Of this city, causing a loss that will
exceed $3,eoo,0oo. The best business
portion of the city, forming a triangle
on the north by Exchange place, on
the west by Bank street, on the south
by Grand street and on the east by
South Main street, was almost wiped
out.
II The first fire which started in the
big store of the Reid & Hughes Dry
Goods company, on Bank street, was
not considered under control until
about So, 100000 worth of propertShad
been destroyed. About the time the
firemen supposed they had the flames
under control a second fire broke out
in the Scovil house. the city's leading
hotel, remodeled by the late Judge p.
C. Lewis, a few years ago, at an ex-
pense of ST., 900. and the establish
ment was completely wrecked. The
occupants Of the hotel We're forced to
seek the street in their night clothes.
City in a Panic.
With the ringing OF a second alarm
the entire city was thrown into a panic.
There was a fierce gale blowing, and
sparks from the burning hotel were
driven in lurid showers over a great
area. The occupants of buildings To-
Gated in the path of the wind prepared
to leave. Although the Waterbury fire
department was REINFORCED from near
by cities, it was for a time impossible
to stay the progress of the flames.
The fire, in it's entirety. burned over
four acres of the city's best business
section. Among the prominent build
ings totally destroyed are the block
occupied by the Reid & Hughes Dry
Goods company, the plant of the Wa
terbury American, the Masonictemple,
the Scovil and Franklin houses, the w.
j.. Douglas Shoe company, the johnson
block, the Salvation Army Working
mems home and scores of other build
|ings. In all about 100 most prominent
business houses are burned out.
Fircmen's Hard Fight.
Rarely have firemcn been obliged
to contend against worse conditions
than those which prevailed from first
to last in this disastrous c%onflagra-
ton. The wind was blowing a gale,
and the cold was intense. 1t seemed
at one time a~sthough every structure
in the heart of the city would be de-
stroyed. In some instances the work
of the firemen proved of avail. The
Waterbury bank building at the COR
nor of Dank and Grand streets. was
saved. although the New England En-
cheering company's $4,000 building,
hnt a few feet away. and the Masonic
temple on the north side of the bank
building, were wiped out Of exist
encc.
Militia Called Out.
During tie night the mayor vas in
communication with Gov. Mclean, and
the militia was called out. Companies
A and G. numbering about 100 men,
We're detailed about the fire district,
and are still On duty. The cityis now
practically under martial law, the blue
uniforms of the national guardsmen
appearing OH every side. Details are
changed every hour. The armory, the
city HALL, the churches and other pub.
lie places, have been turned into tenn
porary shelters, hundreds being rem.
dered homeless. The moral effect OF
this fire upon Waterbury cannot be
otherwise than pronounced.
Will Not Ask for Outside Aid.
A press correspondent asked Mayor
Kilduff if he would call for financial
aid from outside cities. The mayorre-
sponded quickly, saying:
Canterbury, although suffering a
g%rievous blow, will take care of her
self, although extremely grateful for
the expressions of sympathy that
have poured in on every side"
At $3.50 a. IN, the entire fire depart
ment was on duty. the danger being by
no means passed. The ScoviI house
is still burning, and adjoining build
ings are in danger. The buildings in
the track of the earlier fire are still
burning.
Incendinrism Suspected.
The loss by burning of the scovil
house will reach $15O,Ooo. There are
rumors of inccndiarism in connection
with the burning Of this property.
For a time the fire threatened ia
spread from the scoyil house to the
city hall. but that beautiful and cost.
~ structure was saved.
% l
China Pays Conser Indemnity.
Washington, Feb. "A cab1egram
has been received at the state depart.
ment from United States Minister
Conger at Picking announcing that he
has received the first payment from
, the Chinese government on account OF
!, indemnity. He will hold the money to
his order until the qualification OF
the trust company which is about to
undertake an american banking bust.
ness in China and the philippines.