The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-24
SIOUX CITY HAS
$2,OOO,0OO FIRE
One Man is Killed by
Jumping
STORE FULL OF SHOPPERS
Telegraph Companies Were Burned
Out and for Some Time commun.
cation With the City Was
Entirely Cut off.

Sioux City, Ia. December GA fire
which resulted in the death of one man,
monetary loss roughly estimated at
100000 and the destruction of nearly
two entire blocks, started in the base
ment OF the Pelletier department store,
located at Fourth and Jackson streets,
at o'clock tonight. The district burned
over lies in the center of the business
portion of the city, and among the build
ings were several of the most substan-
tial structures in the city. In these
buildings were located a large number Of
large stores and several wholesale estab-
llshments and three national banks.
"A large number OF Christmas shoppers
crowded the Pelletier and other stores,
and it was with difficulty that all man
aged to escape from the burning build
ings.
For three hours and a half, until they
had got beyond range of the large build
ings the flames carried everything in
their path. Both telegraph companies
were put out of business by reason of
their wires being burned out and the of
flee of the Western Union was destroy
cd. Although a great number of tele-
phone circuits were within the district.
long district circuits were later estab-
lished with outside points.
The fire was got under control at IL 80
oclock with III tsfance of several
outside departments
Started In Pelletier Store.
The fire started In the Peletier store,
located In the Toy building, a slx-story
stone block occupied also by the First
National bank. The entire building with
contents was destroyed.
In the course of their flight the flames
were communicated to a score of other
business places, located In the buildings
to the west of the Toy block Among
these were the following which were
building, occupied by seven large stores
including the Gillette hardware CO.. the
Pullman hotel, Johnson & Aronson,
clothing and furnishings; Orkin Bros, la
dies furnishings; George Conway, whole
sale tobacco and cigars, and the Amer
lean Express company. Several persons
lived in the rear building but so far
as known the occupants escaped. The
next building destroyed was the CONNER
ca block In this structure were locat-
ed the City National bank. ]. j. Prugh.
dueensware; Wakefield Pratt-Howell
company, wholesale groceries Peavy &
Nash. furniture; Dow Clothing company,
Harsted & Halsuth, shoes; Theo Becker
TaIlroing company; Wald Hardware COM
pany and the Western Union Telegraph
company.
Leaping across the alley, the fire next
spread TO the smaller buildings, facing
Fourth street. These included the North
western National bank, Selser Bros.
wholesale liquors and Magner and
Welsk's saloon.
other building burned include the Lead
er hotel the West hotel, a large new
structure; Higman & Skinner, wholesale
boots and shoes. and a large number of
small establishments. When the flames
had reached a point near the Tribune
building, the firemen concentrated their
efforts and managed to prevent the de-
struction Of that structure, although 1t
was considerably damaged.