The Opelousas courier., 1904-06-18
A Fierce COnfiagrati0n.

Az 80 N1Oulay aI4SInaDu tu0
fire bell sounded an alarm (which
was quickly responded to BY the
fire laddies and our citizens gen.
orally. On arriving at the scene
of the confiagration-east of the
Court House Square-the boys
discovered that they had a hard
fight on their hands, as the fire.
fend had succeeded in gaining
such headway among the COM
.butable material which it met mi
its mad race toward destruction
that it looked as though the busi-
ness portion of Opelousas was
doomed. The flames leaped from
building to building with terrific
fury, and the crowd in the square
stood helpless and terror-stricken
as they gazed ON scene of hades
never before witnessed in old
Opelousas.
The fire started in the ware
house adjoining the saloon of
Ardoin & Fontenot, and was not
discovered until it had gained
considerable headway.
Firemen were stationed on the
gallery of Fontenot's saloon, en-
deavoring to reach the roof of
that building with streams of
water, but were driven to terra
6rma by a sea of flames. They
then directed their attention to
the neighboring buildings, sue
ceeding in preventing the fire
from spreading any further than
| Mr.. Braad's bakery. Had there
been west wind there is no doubt
but that the business portion of
Opelousas would be in ashes to-
day.
Too much praise cannot be be-
slowed on our fremen for the
heroic manner in which they
fought the fire, as they never
wearied in their efforts to save
valuable property until the fire
was conquered.
In response to a call for assist
ance from the Opelousas fire de-
partment, two companies from
| Lafayette, with trucks and out
fits, arrived here on special train
at 4 D. m., but the fire was then
under control.
Dossman's saloon, Bodemuller's S
printing Office, Leonce Littells 5
office and residence all escaped
with a scorching, thanks to the
indefatigable efforts of our Mayor
and his brave firemen.
| Another lesson was taught our
citizens at last Mondays fire, and
that is the absolutely dangerous
practice of putting up tin build
| ings. When fire does occur in
one of these structures there is
no way of getting at it from the
outside, and the building will be
ct the mercy of the flames. They
are veritable fire-traps, menace
to the adjoining buildings. and
our city council could do no bet
ter legislation at present than te
at once pass an ordinance forbid:
ding such buildings to be erected
within the fire limits.
The following is II rough estl
mate Of the loss sustained by the
fire sufferers: Ardoin & Fonte
not, stock and fixtures, $4,000
no insurance. Two building
owned by Charles Pitre, $4,000
no insurance; DR.. j. A. Haas
two buildings, $4,000; insured fo
$3.50. George w. Moriaty, gun
smith, the building and contents
$4,000; no insurance. Bodemul
ier's barber shop, building ant
part of contents, 1000; no in
surance. G. Brand, damages OF
building, ST, 800; no insurance.
J c. Mornhinveg and Alex. Mai
escaped with few scratches o.
their furniture, but Mrs. Rill
lost most of her household ef
. fects.
The gallant ffremen won the fight.
AS they battled with all their might
I | They the flames subdued all right,
To the multitudes delight.
The ffre-fend was compelled to die,
His departure he took on high;
Our hremen the demon forced TO ny,
Like peailence that passes by.
o Then hail to the chief and gallant crew,
Who the furious monster did subdue;
You proved yourselves OF me1fie true
AS to the rescue you swiftly new,
We now extend q vote OF thanks
TO the boys who fought within the rtnKs;
6 Within its circle there are no cranks,
= Cur chieftain ON such heroes "banks.
j. c. Pierce, IN 0pelousas tLa.) Courle
: A handsome prize is offered t
: the young lady who will sell tn
q greatest number of tickets to tn
r auto and bicycle races on July I
: For particulars see j. Morga
Q Sandoz, Chairman of Committee
For low rates to the World
y Fair via the Texas & Pacific Raj
4