Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-12-24
CLOSE CALL FOR TRIM
BILE SPRINGS HOTEL
From Thursday.s Daily.

When the be1ated passenger passed
through to Silverton, 1t is alleged,
sparks from the locomotive set fire
to some dry grass to the right Of the
track about half a mile above the
Trimble depot. A little blaze was OBJ
served shortly after, but no special
attention was paid to 1t, and up to
the hour OF going to bed the fire had
not spread to any extent. After all
had retired Mrs. Stanley Day. being
restless. awoke about IL o'clock and
discovered the fire to be spreading
and sweeping towards the hotel, the
entire country being lit up. The alarm
was Immediately given and Dave Day
and several men about the place we're
soon in the field fighting the flames.
but to little avail, and soon the large
tance from the depot were on fire.
When at its height the fire presented
spectacular scene. The heavens
were lit up as bright as day and one
could easily read newspaper on the
hillsides. A very high wind was rag
ing. which famed the flames and for
a time there was grave apprehension
for the safety of the hotel property,
but fortunately the wind kept from
the north and the fire continued to
spread southwark, being finally stop
ped when near the wagon road lead
ing across the river. The strip COW
cred by the fire Is over half a mile
long and nearly as wide in places,
reaching the Joe Freed. Jr, place
where some sheds and residence we're
threatened for a time, Mr.. Freed and
family being perfectly oblivious to
their danger, as the fire fighters had
no time to go and awaken them. For
time great fear was entertained
that the flames would leap the rail-
road track and ignite the dry grass
on the hotel side. but Mr.. Day and
the men with him worked valiantly
until the danger was passed. 1t was
when danger was greatest that Du-
range was notified and assistance ar
ranged for through Assistant Super
intendent McAtee by running ca
boose with men to the scene, but this
proved unnecessary. After danger
had passed, so far as the hotel prop
erty was concerned, Mr.. Day and the
men crossed over to the river side
and after an hours work succeeded in
stopping the fire before it had reach
the Joe Freed, Jr.. place.
The property loss falls entirely on
ntr hot
longing to Andy Buchanan. which
was on the Burns place. In addition
to the hay sheds 700 tons OF fine hay
were burned, which means a heavy
loss-with hay from $12 to SIT. Un-
der the conditions, however, Mr..
Burns is to be congratulated on the
course of the wind Had the wind
been blowing towards the hotel, 1t is
not believed the property could have
been saved. as the velocity was fully
40 miles an hour. Mr.. Freed. as we'll
as Mr.. Burns. can be proud of the
hard work of Mr.. Day and his men. It
was after 2 o'clock before all danger
had passed, and this forenoon the hay
stacks were still smouldering. We are
not informed If the hay burned was
Insured.
And through it all the populace of
the Animas valley slumbered. uncon-
scious Of the struggle going on, ex-
cept the Trimble Springs contingent,
This indicates that our Animas val,
ley friends retire at a seasonable
hour.
Passenger trains are now sidetrack-
ed for freights.
Everyone Is too busy about town to
give out local news.
The women are out in force this
afternoon. Holiday shopping.
o.
j. H. McDevitt is home for Christ
mas cheer at the family freside.
C. Z. Robin was a Silverton passen-
ger this morning enroute to Denver
Mr.. and Mrs. D. Preston Bell re-
return TO Silverton on the evening
train.
Mrs. J. II. Terry came in from Den
yer last evening. stopping at the
Strater. She continues to Silverton
this evening.
Mrs. John F. Bell left this morning
for Columbia. Mo-, to spend Christ
mas with the girls. We promised to
look after John F.
Nicoll F. Johnson, the genial trav-
elling passenger agent of the Santa
Fe. spent the night in the city in
the interest of his road.
Have you noticed the big fish In
Parsons window in the shape OF four
postal cards? II not you should
a moment and read line or two
from Tom Davis. who is in Florida,
evidently having good time.
Eugene Strawn of Pine river Is
spending the day In the city. Mr..
Strawn says the long stormy spell