Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-09-22
A Costly Blaze.

The Summit hoteli OF which -. NJ, klne-
hart 10 tho proprietor, from an unkoos n
cause. Shortly before o'clock the
blaze MAS discovered and 60 rapidly did
the aaiaes spread, IN less than 40 hours
time the big hotel building. W. A. Dar
llng'a residence sud barn belonging to
Philip Mdueil on lot adi,lniBg the bo
tel, sere reduced 10 amoaldefng heaps
oi ashes.
Mise Graham, boaTder at the hotel,
sas the FIRST person to disSoved that
something was srons, Her room was 10
the north side Of the building directly
over the Kitchen. She MAS aroused by
the smell OF smoke and, arising and
quickly dressing herself, ahs aw0ke the
occupant of ths next room who Ia turn
rushed into the hallway and gave the
alarm. This aroused Mr.. Rinchart and,
without waiting 10 learn the exact loca-
ton Of theGre, but In the belief that II
WAS In soms other building, he st once,
aa Il precautionary measure, started 10
awake the sleeping inmates, giving the
alarm Of Dire at the door Of every room.
After making the round he discovered
that Il was bis own building which was
on fire. lie at once started on another
round, this time breaking In the door Of
every room and making sure that every
guest and employe was awakened. This
prompt action no doubt saved several
lives 90 the flames spread with such rap
idty that II is hardly possible that all
would have awoke in time 10 have saved
themselves. As 1t WAS many OF the
transient guests saved only portion Of
their clothing while the regular roomers
lost practically alI OF their clothing and
personal effects. One gentleman left
all his clothing except his under gai'
ments In the room but, upon reaching
the lower halfway, he spied his linen
duster on the rack and slipping into that
breezy hut comlortIngly eapacious gar
nent he was thankful.
II soon became evident that W. A.
Darling's residence wRs doomed and the
furniture and other effects we're mostly
removed aud saved. futile effort was
nade TO save the house by wetting down
the roof bat the heat soon became 50 in
tense as TO drive the workers far back,
The effort 10 save Mr.. Dsrlihg's paper
store was more successful. By hard
work II was saved although the stock
had been removed In the belief that
the building would surely go.
IL was Il close call for the business
section OF the city. Had the light wind
which came from the northeast ehifted
to the east or increased materially in
velocity II Is doubtful II anything could
have saved Main street. Showers oi
blazing shingles were scattered all over
the southwest section of the city aud IL
seemed almost miraculous that nnmer'
ons fires were not started In that quarter,
While the water supply held out fair
" sell and was OF considerable service
In protecting other buildings. the fact
was clearly demonstrated that our pfes-
ent water system IL entirely inadequate
Tor such an emergency as occurred Tues.
day morning. II WINS Rlso shown that
the city IL in need Of we'll drilled hose
team. When the hose cart fret reached
the scene Il connection was made with
the hydrant Mt the hotel corner within
ten feet Of the burning building nd |
WAS only u short time until the intense
heat burned off the hose and allowed
the water TO run to waste. A line OF hose
was then laid from Main street but the
waste SO reduced the pressure that the
stream at the command OF the nozzle
men WAS inefficient. Thea three young
men, Ira Luna, Will Rurns and Frank
| Goodwin, determined on an attempt to
close the open plug. Luna covered him'
seli with wet blanket and made rush
for the plug followed by the others car
rying buckets Of water with which to
dreneh him when the blanket began
smoking. II was hot job but the boys
were game and the trick was soon turn
ed. Luna was almost parboiled under
his blanket and Burns and Goodwin
were nearly roasted but their nerve saw
cd the highly priced water supply.
The estimated losses are as follows:
ID. Rinehart, $4,000, insurance $4,000;
| W. A. Darling 5000, insurance $700i p,
Morrill,, $3.50, insurance $40,