Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-23
Aberdeen's Misfortune.

Aberdeens Misfortune.
The overwhelming disaster to our
sister town, Aberdeen, last Friday, is
, one in which our people feel deep
interest from the fact that they have
, passed through an experience that
was similar, many years ago, and
though of not quite so much magni-
tude, is a vivid reminder of the fear
full destructiveness of the remorseless
element. As the Herald-which for.
tunately escaped without scorching-
remarks: October 10th will 60
down in history as Aberdeen's Black
Friday, and future events will be
reckoned from date of the big fire.
And we'll may this be said, for the
area covered by the flames was about
twenty acres, ten blocks OF valuable
buildings and contents, involving 3
loss of over half million dollars.
The fire originated in large, three.
story wooden structure, known as the
Mack building, veritable fire.trap, on
which insurance companies had de-
clined to take any risk. That it was a
Undertook, is shown by the fact that
three of its inmates lost their lives
from inability to escape the rapidly
spreading flames. Daniel Webster, a
porter in a saloon, jumped from win
dow and sustained injuries from which
he died two hours afterwards; George
Rolf, cripple who had kept cigar
stand at the Grand saloon, was burned
to death in his room, and Samuel
Kirkup, q veteran of the Mexican wal,
was also burned in his room.
From this building the fire spread
in all directions, the brick block of N.
G. kaufman atfording but slight bar
rier to its progress.
The usual exciting scenes attending
all fires were apparent. People carry
ing worthless rubbish to places of safe
ty and leaving their valuables; house.
less women and children scurrying in
all directions; men bending under
loads of merchandise and wagons has
lilly filled with goods seeking places of
safety, and finally deposhing loads
that were afterwards in direct pathway
of the fire.
The fire departments of Hoquiam,
Cosmopolis aud Montesano responded
promptly to the call for assistance, and
did good service in restraining the
flames. The Aberdeen steam engine,
for some cause, failed at the critical
moment, and only small pressure OF
steam could be raised, which combined
with the inadequate water supply of
the hydrants, enabled the fire to get
large start, before aid from abroad ar.
rived. The Hoquiam steamer did not
meet with this difficulty and was OF
excellent service, as was the hand en-.
CINE from Cosmopolis. Montesano's
hose supply likewise came in At An
opportune time, when the large and
increasing area OF the fire took much
more than could be covered by the
local supply.
The Herald says that about 300
people were rendered homeless by the
fire. They have all been provided for,
however. by the generosity of their
neighbors, and in reply to prefers OF
aid from San Francisco, Portland, Sc
attic and Olympia, the answer was re-
turned that they would be able to
care for all. An offer of loan of tents,
belonging to the w. N. g., by the
Governor, was, however, accepted.
Several persons were seriously in.
iured in fighting the fire-ssy half .
dozen-but only one Was reported to
be in danger OF fatal termination
Colin Mckenzie, whose spine was in
jured by falling wall.
Both bank buildings were consumed
but the vaults came out of the fire
practically uninjured, and with their
contents safe.
The City Council Of Aberdeen has
established fire limits, and although
it may work some hardship to few,
Of moderate means, it will ultimately
result in the benefit of all. The i'm
portance Of providing means for keep
ing fire from getting under Roadway
seems to find recognition from all. A
general conAagration stops at no
bounds; 50 the main object is to check
incipient confisgrations, and the next
best thing to attempt subsection after
they are started. This seems to be
the consensus of opinion, everywhere,
in these days, and with the spirit dis.
played by the fire-swept city, it is safe
to say that Aberdeen will rise in much
better form and infinitely stronger
than before to resist such dread visi-
tation.
THE annual award for pensions by
the United States government is the
largest distribution Of money made by
any nation. 1t embraces AN expendi.
ture OF $140,000.O0O, to nearly one
million former soldiers, their widows
and orphans. Five persons still draw
pensions for service in the Revolution.
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