The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-02-13

buildings. involving property value
at from s30,OOo,OO0 TO 100000,
were destroyed by fire which brok
out at a few minutes before l
O'Clock Sunday morning in the WhoIt
sale dry goods house Of John I
Hurst & Co.
1t has ragged with uurestrained fur.
continuously ever since, and at mid
night 1t IS sun unchecked, but q
steadily eating its consuming way
westward on Baltimore street, ate
having destroy Ell almost all the large
stores and warehouses in the whole
SAFE district around HopGIns place
and all the buildings on both sides
OF Baltimore street from Howard to
Holiday streets, and Charles and Bal
timoTe to Lexington. and on Fayette
street from Charles to Holiday
Ever since ABOUT o'clock. when
darkness came, the fire department.
although aided oy engines from Wash
ington, Philadelphia. Wilmington and
the surrounding suburbs. has been Ut
terly poweriess to MAKE any elective
resistance to the consuming element.
streams Of water were thrown into
the flames. Indeed. so terrific has
been the heat ever since the fire start
ed, and so dense and sufocating the
volume Of flying sparks ana burning
cinders, that 1t was difficult for the
fremen to stand long within lighting
distance Of the flames, while early in
the afternoon several trucks and en-
gines were hopelessIy disabled by
timbers.
Dynamite Used.
At o'clock the situation was so
desperate that Chief Horton decided
that the only thing left TO do was 70
dynamite buildings at threatened
points and thus prevent, as far as pos
sioie. a further spread OF the flames.
In pursuance Of this plan, a number
OF buildings on South Charles street,
between German and Lombard. were
blown up. subsequently. the splendid
structure OF J. W. Pulback, notion
dealer. at Charles and FayeJte streets.
was dynamited and then the Daily
Record building. Ross drug store and
others. However, this heroic remedy
merely delayed, but did not seriously
impede the onward march Of the con
fagTation and for two hours or more
the fire department was practically
helpless and resourceless In the face
of the roaring tuCRaces~ which sent
their fierce tongues 200 feet into the
air and which flied the heavens first
with pail Of black funereal smoke
and then with liyid sheets Of sparks
and lurid cinders.
Lieks Up Huge Structures.
Following 40 rapid destruction OIL
the palatial commercial buildings IL
the wholesale district, the cyclone q
roaring names burst into Baltimore
street. licAlng up wI.nin a few minutes
the seven story Mullins hotel like
some monster ana rapidly rolling with
irresistible force 10th east and west
cutting down wholesale and retaI
houses. manufactures. shops. feWelrJ
stores, furniture aepOta and restaur
ants. At Cnartes street the remorse
less tide swept on down Baltimore
street but also turned into Charles
street, where quickly engulfed the
IL story Union Trust building.
People Flee for Safety.
At O'Clock occupants Of the Daily
Herald building at Fayetta and St
Paul streets. and Of the Record build
Ing opposite were compelled 10 yacate
by the flames, as were the occupants
OF the Calvert and Equitable struc
lures, two Of tho most massive Once
buildings in baltimore. Down Baltl
more street. paranel wall Of roaring
cracking flames swept. consuming
everything in its course, speedily
reaching the Evening news building
from which the emp Dyes had to hast
lily hy, though not until valuable rec
ords had been removed. shortly there
after the continental Trust company'l
IA story building took fire. A block
below the American Newspaper builu
Ing was enveloped In clouds Of sparks
and burning splinters.
The financial district incIudlnP
the chief banking and brokerage firms
In South and German streets, seems
TO be now doomed. and scores Of the
city's leading hnanciers and business
men are scnrrying IN and out Of thei.
offices. bearing packages or placing
Valuables in conveyances.
At 10:45 o'clock the roof OF the
building occupied by the Associated
Press took fire and the employees were
compelled to vacate. though they had
time TO take away with them their
telegraph instruments. typewriters
and other valuable equipment.
The city hospital. corner Of Calvert
and Pleasant streets. is removing 10
other hospitals as rapidly az possible
the "a patients In that institution.
No Fatality Reported.
Seventeen injured were brought IN
this hospital. most NJ them Hremen.
They we're suffering from burns.