The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1903-07-17
kENDRlCK SAVED
A Bloclz was De-
stroyed
THE LO55 ABOUT $1,000
The Narrowest Escape Town Could
Have-Spleniid Work of Citizens
The Explosion-Value of water Sy-
stem-Juliaetta Helped

Monday evening Kendrick had a
narrow escape from being swept from
end to end by fire. Ali that saved us
was Providencs-A high wind having
died down but couple of hours before:
the gravity water system-which did
splendid execution, though carefully
husbanded, and the hard work of our
citizens who without organization, but
with cool heads and good idea of
what should be done, done it with a
will.
1t was just after dusk, about 9 p. m.
ttat the alarm of fire was sounded and
quick responce was made. There in
the business portion, lying between
the station and Hull's Merchandise
store was steady volume of flames
rising to the heavens. On approach
ing nearer it was seen that the barn of
Frank LaBole, filled with hay was a
mass of flames as was also the black
smith shop adjoining. Every effort
was made 10 subdue the flames and
also TO save the buildings adjoining,
but this immense body of flame was
rapidly becoming master of the stua-
ton when suddenly an explosion took
place which scattered people right and
left, and threw a mass of burning deb
ris into the air distance of over 5000
TT. AS soon as our citizens recovered
themselves back they went to the fiyht
and now it was seen that what was
thought to be "a misfortune was turn
ing out to be a benefit, as the flames
were scattered and the water began to
have an effect. Tie Tacoma grain
warehouse was doomed, as was the
barn of D. S. Hunter, but by gallant
fight, the house and shed of the latter
were saved though not ten feet away.
The Lincoln Hardware house was
saved by a force of bucket men and a
few streams of water from the hose;
this was also the method of saving
Hubs store the restaurant and the bal
ance Of the lumber yard. While buc-
kets aione wss used on the Echo build
ing and one adjoining. AS the flames
began to he confined, hope arose and
Efforts were redoubled TO keep the fire
within the radius it had then covered
and at eleven O'Clock the town drew a
breath placed their hose in position to
control any new out break filled their
buckets and stationed guards over the
ground. At twelve most of the town
retired to rest while the guards after
circling the town, seeing all was safe
and no new outbreaks, would turn the
hose on the remaining fire, thus pra.
dually subduing the flames and con-
tract ng the danger. Until this morn
ing there was nothing left but ashes.
The loss as near as can be approxi-
mated is as follows:
This is only direct result of the fire
as to indirect loss it is even vet hard to
estimate it but we know of the follow
ing: D. S. Hunter, damage to furni-
ture, Lincoln How're Co, Hunter Bros
Pacific Hotel, A. G. White, Frank La.
Bole. Mrs. Murphy, H. z. Hull, dam
age to glass, the Echo damage to build
ing.
ID. S. Hunter will recover $500
which he carried in the Bremer Ram
burg ms. Go. nd probably the Lin
coin Hdw Co. a little from the damage
done by blistering and water to it's
vehicles in the ware house. The rail
road probably carried blanket insur-
ance as did The Tacoma Co. but the
other losses are direct.
Our writer system is what saved us
and it showed its value as Il fire pro-
tector to the most prejudicied. A good
head was on, and all the time, some
three hours at least one hose was play
ing on the fiames. Not building
would be\standing wereit not for this
system and even though it is not all
one could ask, it has proved its value
The new reservoir on the hill proved
its utility and the good Judgement i'll
ria 1t there rs fire reserve.