Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-27
100000
Fire Loss and Five Bodies
in the Ruins.
three Hotels Burn at Hot
Springs, Ark.
Many Made Homeless in Worst Fire
in Years.

Hot Springs. Ark. Feb. 26.-This city
vas visited by Il disastrous fire Sat
urday. tnt:iiIine q loss conServatively
estimated al s.. 600. COO. Five lives were
lost.
Thu fire started at go. Saturday
morning, in the Grand Central hotel. at
Central avenue and Chapel street. in
the southern part of the city. A high
wind VAS blowing and the flames
quickly spread to the south and west.
The Plateau hotel. Hotel Moody. the
GARNER flats and several lodging
houses We're quickly destroyed.
The fire department rendered good
service until o'clock. when the water
pressure gave out and the threatened
area was left to the mercy of the
flames. Duties general store, one of
the largest in the city. is Il total loss.
About 100 houses were destroyed be-
fore the flames We're checked. The dis
trict between OuachiIa avenue and
Prospect street was swept by the
flames. More than 1000 people are
homeless.
Fortunately the cold weather has
passed and spring-like temperature
prevails. Tie streets are filled with
merchandise taken from stores in the
threatened district.
After the water pressure gave out
bucket brigades We're formed and hum
dreds OF citizens and visitors volun-
teered their services.
The three large hotels. the Arlington.
Eastman and Park, were not damaged
by the fire.
Both the county court house and jail
were burned. Many records We're
burned ard 20 prisoners in the Jail were
rescued with difficulty.
In the South Hot Springs cottage dis
trict, which was consumed, several
persons are missing, but it is not
known that any loss of life occurred
there.
The Jewish synagogue. Central Meth
Odist church and the residences of
Mayor Relding ana Sheriff Williams
were among the buildings destroyed.
Telephone and street car service is
suspended and all business has practi-
cally been abandoned for the day.
The passenger station of the ROcl.
Island system, although surrounded on
all sides by the flames. escaped injury
The Little Rock L. Hot Springs West
ern passenger station is also safe.
When the fire broke out a high wind
famed the flames, which swept the
wooden buildings. directly in the path
as though they were constructed of pa
per. The guests of the leading hotels
were awakened and many after s2cur-
ing their valuableS in case the fire
should turn to their direction of the
hotels. joined the throngs on the streets
and did what they could to check the
flames.
AS the day progressed estimates OF
the losses exceeded those of the early
morning. many residents stating that
S. 100, 900 will not cover the damage.
Mayor Ielding has issued an appeal
to all residents urging them to assist
the homeless in every way possible.
rhe five bodies found are c!Iarred be-
yond recognition and may have been
identified. The register of the Grand
Central hotel and all the books were
DESTROYED and there is no record of the
guests at that place.
Hot Springs. Ark. F"o. 2G.-The first
estimates of the damage Gone by the
great fire here were not exaggerated.
On away by he flames. and the most
More Than 40 city blocks have been eat
estimates place the loss
Al Z million and 4 half dollars, while
seycra; insurance men say the figures
will reach two million.
The three unknown bodies recovered
are the only known fatalities.
Thcciti2enS relief committee has the
rj,uation well in hand. The amount
for relief work totals $l2.-
900 tonight. and the sum Is being stead
ily increased.
Mayor Bedding ordered all tn"
~aloons closed and it was tight
Sunday in Hot Springs.