The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-03-01
LARGE BUSINESS BLOCK IN Llv-
INGsToN DESTROYED.
LOSSES REPORTED HEAVY
Good Work by Firemen Alone Saves
city's Business District from
Total Destruction.

M 4VAA6oCOA 41O1Ls, HOOs HOs-T0AOA W.
after / O'clock this morning fire broke
out in the Office Of the Park hotel, in
Calender street, and within three
hours the large Postofice block, in
which the Park hotel and a large num-
Der OF stores and offices were located,
was a smQuldering mass of debris.
The fire was by far the most disas-
trous that ever visited Livingston, and
were it not for the most excellent
work by the fire department, under the
direction of Chief Nash, Llvingston's
main business portion would be in
ruins. For hours it looked as if the
entire business part of the town was
doomed.
Smoke and flames filled Main street
for several hours, yet the persistent
fire-fighters stood at their posts, and
at 6 O'Clock this morning had it under
control. The wind was blowing a
gale and at times carried large pieces
of flaming wood over several blocks.
The fire was confined entirely to the
Postoface block, and when it is known
that Immediately adjacent were sew
eral large blocks, the Realty block
being within 20 feet from the east
wall of the doomed building, the work
of the fire department a be appre-
ciated. The buildings were located
in the wake of the wind, and at times
were completely wrapped in flame
and smoke.
Caused by Uncovered Wires.
The fire is said to have originated
from am uncovered electric wire be-
tween the ceiling of the office of the
Park hotel and the floor of the second
story.
When first discovered by the clerk
it was little larger than a mans hand,
but famed by a strong wind it spread
rapidly and had soon crept to every
portion of the building.
Doctor and Mrs. Way occupied the
rooms on the second floor, and while
attempting to save a portion of their
personal effects, were cut off from the
stairway or the fire escapes, and 1t
was necessary to lower Mrs. Way
from the second floor to the ground
by a rope, and a moment later the
doctor came down hand over hand.
Many Narrow Escapes.
During the fire there were many
narrow escapes from death and severe
injury. Several of the firemen were
nearly caught by falling walls.
The loss will reach fully $10O, 900,
with about $4,000 insurance.
The lower floors of the building
were occupied by Lovelace & Ander-
son, grocers; Grigsby & Hans, boots
and shoes; Park hotel Office and din
ing room; J. NJ. McCracken, dry
goods; J.. M. Seaman, drugs; Bingham
& Hinman, motions; United States
postofice. The upper floors were &C.
cupied as offices and sleeping rooms.
Judge J. A. Savage, who has been
dangerously sick for several weeks
and who occupied a o in the
Realty block, was taken from the
building when it appeared that it was
doomed. Considerable damage was
done to the block, which is situated
just across the alley from the burned
building. The east wall fell upon the
windows to the west, yet the fire
never secured a start.
The Postofice block was erected
three years ago by A. W. Miles. Mr..
Miles is now on a vacation in southern
California and when notified today of
the fire signifed his intention to re-
turn to the city at n 1t is ex-
pected that the structure will be re-
built at once. Little Of the contents
were saved.
The postmaster secured the mail,
money orders and records Of he Office.
Town ls in Darkness.
Today's fire is the second within a
week in Livingston resulting from de-
fective electric light wires. AS a con-
sequence Mayor GARNER this evening
ordered the electric light company not
to turn on their current and the city
is again in darkness. The city council
will meet informally tonight to discuss
ways and means to cure the defective
wiring throughout the city and will
formally promulgate the rules tomor-
row evening. It is expected that the
lights will be on again in a few days.
New Meat Market.