The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1903-01-09


Z. HodgkinsOn at the crossing south
Of the fire was damaged by water and
rough handling of goods. Two thirds
of the stock was piled out in the alley.
Estimated damage $1,000.
The Offices of n. Robinson and E. F.
Murphy, across the street, were some
damaged. A number of business firms
to the south suffered some loss by
hasty removal Of goods aud when the
aggregate Of all the damage done by
the confisgratiou it is not an exager
alton to put the net loss to the bust
ness portion of Goodland at a fzure
between 60 and 70 thousand dollars.
The whole town was completely un-
prepared for the exigencies of this di~-
astrOus fire, because Just about forty
minutes before the alarm was given Of
a blaze at ?. S. Darling's barn la the
west part Of town, the burning Of
which consumed three drsy horses and
three calves belonging to T. G Duel,
every one that could get away from
his work ran to the FIRE. II was over,
u =
" at the cremated animals, others we're
carrying the household goods back in
to Mr.. DarIing's house, which had been
threatened by the FIRE, while still others
were leisurely taking their way 70 the
center Of tOwn-when the water works
whistle blew another alarm Of fire. The
streets we're clean Of people and few
knew or could quite believe what it
meant until clouds Of belching smoke
burst from the roof Of the Harvey no
ton store.
The wind was furious, from the
north, and excepting one building the
rest Of the block lay to the south Of
the one on fire. No attempt was made
to save the burning block for that was
a feat impossible; but every business
man labored heroicly 20 save what he
could. While this was being done, the
hose cart at the railroad and the one at
the previous fire we're fastened TO the
defense Of the buildings IN the block
just south.
The smoke became impenetrabls and
and people had TO quit the buildings
hurriedly. Even the street was impass-
able for .suTocating clouds Of smoke and
In about an hour what had been one Of
the principal business blocks Of Good
land lay IN ashes.
How long the fire had heen shoulder
ing in the attic Of the notion store before
discovered is not known. No one saw
/ It start. but there Is no doubt that it
was caused by q defective hue. Mrs.
Harvey was sitting by the stove holding
Mrs. ColIup's baby, its mother and the
two Harvey girls having gone to the IRE.
Mrs. Harvey said the IRE in the stove
was very low and she was Just thinking
| about putting in more coal when the
( large south window seemed 10 let il
more sun light than usual and looking
I'D she saw the paper across the ceiling
In line with the chimney burning She
ran out into the street and gave the
I alarm. but few were near 70 render ef
1 fectual help In moment her home
was dangerously foil Of smoke and DC
one dared TO enter. The flames soou
leutted the store. reached north burBe6
out the post Office and then leFeled thi
buildings south to the end Of the block
j DaWsOn's gasoline house, Hess brick
ware house. STarts' ice house and the
brick addition TO his market and TIT
ice az the rear Of hunzis market irOu
which all the woodwork was consumed
was all that stood, lonely EsntineIs Of tn
survival Of the httest'