The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-05-09

Ire prone Uul Oh Inc lool VI lile
county courthouse Saturday at u
o'clock noon. The cause is I'M
known. 1t is attributed to eth ar
an exposed cross wire or defective
fue. The building was insured for
$4,000 and the furniture for $1,000.
The structure was complete less,
but the county records were saved
and part of the fixtures.
The fire gained good Roadway be-
fore it was discovered. The depart
meat responded quickly to the ala IA
al / made good time in reaching the
scene. When they arrived the
whole roof was afiame. In very
short time three streams of water
were turned on the burning building.
The water pressure was very weak
and for while the angry flames
seemed to bid defiance to the efforts
of the firemen. 1t was finally
brought under control but not until
ne building was practically cori.
pleje wreck.
Perfect order was maintained
among the courthouse officials and
employees in placing the county rec
ords and other important documents
In the vaults and also by the large
number who volunteered their
services in the rescue work.
The greatest part of the fixtures
and minor accounts and filings were
saved In fact, none of the docu-
ments of any importance were de-
stroyed. All of this was due to the
systematic and effective work of the
courthouse force and volunteers.
1t is said that the building was
covered by insurance to the extent
of $1,000 and the furniture and fix
lures to the extent Of $1,000. It
was insured in several different COM
panies.
Twelve prisoners were in the Jail,
which was part of the building, at
the time the fire broke out. Pale
and trembling with fear they waited
patiently without ever murmuring a
word of complaint or of the wild and
terrible thoughts that must have
been passing through their minds.
Thick walls on every side, iron bars
over the windows, and above them
were the angry flames rapidly ap-
preaching their solitary quarters.
But they were calm.
Finally Sheriff Grant came to their
rescue. The change that came over
their faces at the first appearance of
the sheriff can never be told in words
Their gratitude was expressed in one
word when a chorus of voices sound
ed loud and clear, Good" In
their gratefulness each one patted
the sheriff on tile shoulder They
were taken to the city Jail; it being
The only available place under the
circumstances. When on their way,
the sheriff said; Every man
marched along as gently as a lamb. :"
So the old landmark lies today
a desolate and irreparable ruin of its
former self. The last legal argu-
ment has been spoken there; the
last case tried. the last prisoner
sentenced: the last verdict rendered.
The cid IS now ready 10 give place
70 rAe new.
There has been some talk about
fixing Up the walls, roofing the ruin
and installing some Of the county
officials in the ruin, pending the COM
pletion Of the new building. This
cost. il IS said, would not exceed
$500. while rent for the new quarters
would be considerably in excess of
that amount.
For the time. however, quarters
have been arranged for in the Alaska
building. where all Offices will be To-
Gated save that of the sheriff. He
will probably hold forth in the Office
Of the new city marshal until the
Jail and his own office can be ar
ranged for service IN the old bufd-
ing.
Last night Chief Hauser severely
criticised those who deliberately
drove over the fire hose yesterday.
There is a fine of s25 for every
person who does this and Mr.. Hauser
;ntends to ferret them outand prose
suite them as an example for the fu-
ture. He says he knows one who
will be arrested tomorrow
The fremen did quick and eff
cient work on the courthouse. II
was but a few minutes after the