The Teton peak., 1904-09-15
Fire at Idaho Falls.

ohout 9 o'clock in the Butte Cafe
and burned for seven hours. Fan
ned bv a wind which blew with al
most hurricane violence, the fire
swept down Broadway, destroying
every building for nearly seven
blocks The fire department was
utterly unable to check the flames,
and the fire burned itself out. The
fire was confined to the business
district, no residences were destroy
ed. Loss will reach $500, 600 with
small insurance. Preparations are
already under way for clearing the
ruins for rebuilding. Among the
heavy losers are the Consolidated
Wagon & Machine company, $685.
600; Coltman Lumber Co., $40, 600;
O. K. Wilbur, clothing, $4,000;
Johnson & Co., harness, $4,000.
This is said to te the worst fire
in the history of southeastern Ida
ho, and probably one of the largest
that has occurred in the state. Bus
mess in Idaho Falls will practica-
blv be at stand still for several
days until the people recover from
the shock and the heavy losses
sustained by its leading and repre-
sentative business men.
Those who sustained smaller los
ses are: Ray Smith, jewelry, 81
500; insured for $500. Frank
Smith, glassware and notions,
1900, insurance $500. Frank
Cutter, barber shop, $500, insur-
ance 1925. W. Rawson, barber
shop, $500. mo insurance. Harry
Carr, barber shop, 500, DO insur-
ance. Idaho Packing Co.. meat
market, $1,000, insurance $500.
Matt I.aRouche, blacksmith shop,
5000, no insurance John Leeb,
saloon, $1,0CO, NO insurance.
Butte Bakery, 81, 800, insurance
not known. Johnson & Catmul,
$500, insurance, $500. John
Vania carpenter, and Harry Ma
gle machine and blacksmith shop,
also both lost buildings and most
of their tools and material. There
were many other comparatively
small losses.
The fire department did heroic
work, better was never rendered by
a volunteer force Of firemen, and
except for their exceptionally fine
work the entire business part of
the city would have burned. It
was only by the most determined
effort that the flames were prevent
ed from crossing the streets and
thus involving other blocks
Many had their hands and faces
badly blistered. Two spectators
were slightly injured. one by a fall
ling pole and the other by burn
OF the face.
Fortunately the wind was COM
paratively light otherwise a large
part of the town would have been
endangered. The two story brick
on the southwest corner of Broad
way and Park avenue, was the
only building in the block saved.
1t is owned by DR.. Franklin LaRue
and Jerry Deneen and occupied by
w. 5. Jackson as a drug store and
restaurant, the upper floors being
used as the Office of Drs. LaRue
and Bridges and the family of Mr..
Jackson The damage to the build
ing is nominal and Mr.. Jackson s
loss is principally confined to dam
age by water.
The flames lit up all the sur
rounding country with lurid glare
ana people came in for several
miles to witness the confagration
Later. The loss reported by the
IRE at Idaho Falls was not so great
as at first estimated, but it viii
exceed 5000, 900. with insurance o
quarter of that amount. The
names swept one entire busines:
'iock' with the exception of ont
o'ick building, containing tht
Jackson Drug store and dininf
nall The ground is already be
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