The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-10-22
FLAMES
Sweep Over the City of Aberdeen
in Washington and Wipe
out 81, 900, 900.
DEATH CLAIMS FOUR PERSONS
Half a Dozen OtheY- Injured Ten
Blocks Burned Fatal Fire
in a Hospital.

Aberdeen, Wash, Oct. 1.-THE most
destructive fire in the history of this
town has wiped out ten business blocks
and many residences, causing loss
Of probably $1,0OO,0OO. Not more than
one-half of the loss is covered by in
surance, for the reason that the insur
ance companies have refused to carry
any greater risk owing to the infiam-
mable material Of which all the buil'
ings in Aberdeen are constructed. E
cry business man In the city is loser
either by fire, water, removal, break
age or loss by theft. Not antieipat-
ing that the flames could get beyond
the fire departments control many
waited until the fire was close upon
them before starting to move out
Commission in the Streets.
The streets were soon strewn and
Uttered with all kinds of material, and
the rush and haste of teams and peo-
pie in every direction caused great
confusion. The fire started in the old
Mack building, on Hume street, owned
by Oscar Crane, which had been re-
garded as fire trap and dangerous
ly constructed building. 1t was occu-
pied by numerous single men, who
cooked their own meals chiefly On oil
stoves. 1t was in a room In the third
story, where the flames started.
fire Attacks the Hose House.
From the Mack block the fire spread
to the fine new hose house and head
quarters Of the fire department Great
volumes of flames shot into the air and
the heat became unbearable block
distant. In a short time the flames
had jumped across the alley to Wal
ker's saloon and every building in the
block bounded by Heron and F and
H streets. including Kaufman's brick
building, went up. Word went along
every business street to prepare for
the worst, and as far up as the Com
mercial block there were hurried
preparations to get out of danger In
order to stop the progress of the flames
dynamite was used on several of the
buildings upon which the flames were
advancing. Telephonemessagesb brought
the fire departments Of Hoquiam and
Montesana to the scene and they did
effective work.
Four Dead and SIX Injured
The fire burned for five hours and
caused four deaths. The dead are:
Charles Rolls, Daniel Webster, Calvin
Mckenzie and an unknown man. In
jured-John Steen and III. w. Lacy,
kicked In head by a runaway horse;
j. ID. Hansen, head and body bruised
A Bretberg, head cut; John Mills, of
Hoquiam, foot injured; William Ogels-
by, partly suffocated.
Where the Life Was Lost.
When the fire had reached the Pull
man saloon several men were hurt by
wall giving way. Among the in
jured was Fire Chief Koehler, who
was rendered unconscious, but later re
turned to his duties. Calvin McKen-
zie was caught under the falling walls
OF the Eagle dance hall. His back was
broken and he died in a short time.
The other fatalities We're at the Mack
building, where Charles Rolls, one
legged man. was cremated- When the
flames had completely enveloped the
building the spectators were Mortified
by seeing Daniel Webster, q we'll
known character, appear at one of the
windows. Before ladder could be
raised to his aid he jumped. Almost
every bone in his body was broken.
The unknown man was killed by q
falling wall.
Aberdeen has a population of about
1000 and the chief industry is lumber.
ing.