The Forrest City times., 1905-03-03
MOSTDES|RUC1|v[
 FIRE IN STATE s HISTORY
Sf,25o,0o0 FIRE LOSS AT HOT
 SPRINGS.
Over 300 Buildings Occupying Forty Blocks Burned-Four Bodies Found-2,ooo People Left Home, less.

Early in the morning of Feb. 25th | fire broke out in South Hot Springs The flames were augmented by a high wind and were soon beyond the con- trol of the firemen and their volun- teer assistants.
 The fire originated in the Grand Central Hotel and from it spread in all directions. The confiagration only i ceased when all available material for 1t had been consumed Efforts of the fire department and others made no | impression, as there were at least l50 different buildings burning simul- | taneously. The fire wall of the Whit | tington Stearns building alone saved the North Hot Springs business | houses
 Only a few attempts were made to | save the contents of any of the build ng in the fiame-swept distrit Some few trunks and other household be- longings were seen in the streets, guarded by their owners. and in many cases representing all they now own Probably two thousand people were rendered homeless, but the citizens threw open their doors, churches were kept open for the accommodation of sufferers, the different lodges offered their quarters for places of refuge, and both race tracks have provided quarters and edibles for many
 Corpses of two men were found in Orange street, but are as yet uniden- tified; two bodies were also found in the Cleburne House, but are charred beyond recognition
 The number of buildings burned are estimated at about four hundred. some of the most important were Moody Hotel and Bath House, Pla. teau Hotel, Grand Central Hotel, Cen. tral Methodist Church. Alhambra Bath House and Hctel Idaho Hotel. Columbia Hotel, Great Western Hotel Illinois Hotel. Cleburne House, Cum berland Presbyterian Church, and about forty stores. The Tennessee stables, a photograph gallery and the Jewish synagogue were also de- | stroyed.
 Sheriff Bob Williams, the political leader of Garland county, lost all his | n hn fro of realty which he owned in Hot Springs was in the burned district, and comprised his handsome resid. ence and block of business stores. His losses will not be far from S100.- 900, and 1t is said that his property was insured for but a small part Of its value
 When it was seen that the county jail was in the path of the flames Sheriff Bob Williams ordered all prisoners handcuffed and they were taken from the building. Among the prisoners were Houston Hooker. the negro train porter who is under sen tencc to be hanged March 10 The prisoners behaved we'll and gave not the slightest trouble All the county records were lost, and the only realty records now in the county are those kept by abstract companies.
 The origin of the fire, beyond the fact that it started in the Grand Cen tral Hotel. has never been ascer- taned The Hot Springs fire will probably forever be one of those which just happened"
 Many messages of sympathy and offers of aid were received, but the conclusion of this meeting was that Hot Springs was fully able to care for its own and would not have to accept outside aid.
 Insurance men will lose probably $600,000 through this fire. that being the amount of insurance estimated to be in force on the property in tho burned section. Several adjusters are already on the ground and prompt settlements are promised.
 The fact that the residence of c. S. Bell and the Metropolitan Hotel, both in the burned district, escaped seems a miracle The manner in which the fire behaved in jumping at the will of the wind to sections far removed. passing over buildings only to return and destroy them later, was | most unusual.
 A meeting was held immediately after the fire had burned itself out and at this meeting Hot Springs prop erty owners subscribed s10,000 for the relief of transients who had been ren dered destitute by the fire.