Douglas Island news., 1904-02-24
THETREADWELL FIRE
Y. M. C. A. Building and Two Residences Con- sumed by the
 Flames.

DrOk0 OuL HI Lu0 LnoS SuAhS0h" ASSAS'SAS~- building of the Young Mems Christian Association at Treadwell, and that building and the residences of Mir. E.J. Willis and Mir. T. J. Williams were entirely destroyed.
 The ringing of the fire bell and the footing of the whistles aroused the people of New Town from their slum- bers, and glance in the direction of Treadwell caused chill of terror to grip the hearts of all beholders. It was indeed terrible sight. The wind was blowing gale across the channel and the flames from the burning build ing were leaping up the hill in the di- rection of the 240 mill and the big hoist. It looked as though the entire plant was doomed to destruction in few moments in spite of all that human hands might do.
 As far down as the hospital bands of frightened laborers were met, carrying trunks, bedding and clothing from the scene of the disaster and seeming to complete the impression formed, that the boarding house was burning. How ever, the boarding house was saved, al- though only by the personal efforts of Sup't. Macdonald himself, who was early on the scene of action, and, when the space between the burning Y. M. c. A. building and the boarding house was literal he'll of heat, step ped in and turned on the water.
 But Superintendent Macdonald was not the only man who risked life and limb to save property. Oticemen, clerks, machinists, mill men and miners, all seemed to realize the ter rible danger and the necessity for quick, vigorous action.
 In the face of binding storm of smoke and fire, men stretched lines of hose, formed bucket brigades and handled the nozzles. But for this de- termined fight the mill and all adjoin- ing buildings would today be but mass of ruins. The roof of the mill was dry as finder and the fire gained a foothold several times, only to be beat en back by the application of water.
 The home of Mir. T. J. Williams was directly in the path of the flames, and burned like house of cards. All that Mir. Williams saved was one trunk and sewing machine. The next house was occupied by Mir. J. A. Norriss and family. This house seemed to bear a charm. Mir. Norriss and his wife fought nobly to save their home, and, aided by the efforts of the men, were rewarded by success.
 But Mir. R. J. Willis was not so for tunate. His pretty little home, but recently newly furnished to receive his bride, was burned and none of the con- tents was saved except few pieces of silver and trunk.
 The home of Mir. James Christoe was saved by the Indians. Indians arc not usually good fire fighters, but they surrounded this house and seemed de- termined that it should not burn. AL though the fire attacked it on every side, got under and around it and it was repeatedly ablaze, the Indians con centrated their efforts here and saved the house. However, MT. Christoe suf- fered severe loss by the damage to his furniture, part of which was car ried from the threatened building. Christoe's beautiful piano is almost a complete wreck.
 There was one good thing in connec- tion with this fire. No one was badly hurt or killed. There were cuts and burns and bruises, but when we realize what fearful calamity might have at- tended the further spread of the flames, we still have reason to be thankful.
 The origin of the fire is a mystery, which, perhaps, will never be explained.
 The Y. M. 0. A. building was the best of it's kind in the Northwest. It was complete in it's fittings, it's baths, library, bowling alleys, reading rooms, gymnasium. pool and billiard rooms, and auditorium. It was we'll warmed and lighted, and was source of much comfort and pleasure to the employees of the Treadwell company, and their wives and families. It's loss was felt by all. It's cost was about s17,500. It was insured for sS,OOo, as follows; Phoenix, of Brooklyn, 1000; Connecti,