East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-04-10

Seventeen horses were burned to
death In fire which destroyed a por-
ton Of the Oregon Feed Yard at 1880
this morning, causing total loss of
about $4,000. The burned part was
the shed on the west side Of the yard.
in which transient horses were stabbed.
None OF the blooded horses owned by
A. c. Ruby we're injured, all being
taken out IN safety.
Owing to the combustible nature OF
the shed, II burned rapidly and made
a spectacular fire. 1t was under full
headway before an alarm was given.
and all the fire department could do
was to hold the fire IN check and pre-
vent It from extending to the shed on
.he south side of the yard. Companies
!, 2, and were called out by the
central alarm, but several Of the out
side companies also responded to their
individual bells. The first companies
to arrive turned their streams on the
north end OF the burning building,
while the next two reaching the scene
were directed by Chief Vaughan to
work at the other end. BY the latter
move the fire was prevented from
extending TO the shed on the south
side.
Good Work by Rescners.
AS soon as the fire was discovered
the men sleeping in the stable and
others who arrived Immediately, be-
gan to lead out the blooded horses
from the shed on the east side. r. b.
Wilson, travelling freight agent for
the burlington, was one of the first
to reach the scene. and while leading
a Percheron stallion from his stall
was knocked down and forced to let
the animal go. There were seven
stations in the shed, and all were
quickly gotten out. Also, the fine
jacks stabbed in a shed behind the
burned portion, were taken to places
of safety.
Transient Horses Lost.
But the fire was so fierce In the
west shed that 1t was impossible Ia
save the horses stabbed there. There
were IS In the shed, and only three
escaped. One OF these was so badly
burned that II was shot Immediately
A second was badly burned on the
back, while the third was uninjured
1t was pitiful sight to see the ami.
mails burned in their stalls and theii
cries Of pain added to the horror.
The Probable Origin.
While It is not known just how the
fire started, II is thought to have beer
caused by match carelessly thrown
by someone sleeping in the shed. w
II. Bell of Cabbage Hill, had team
in the stable, and about o'clock hi
lay down to sleep in the hay after H
r. McCallum had assisted him in find
ing his bed. Mr.. Bell says he awok'
about 12 o'clock and feeling cold de-
cided to go up town and get drink
He did So and later fell asleep in thu
State saloon. and was there when tho
fire was discovered. 1t is feared thu
old man may have dropped a lighted
match while getting out of the barn
as the fire started in that portion o
the shed.
Live Wire Makes Danger.
A live electric wire on the groun'
furnished another source of DANCE
during the fire, and at least one youn,
onlooker received a severe shock. The
wire was on the ground in the stree
adjoining the office, having dropped
from the burning pole near the shed
one boy who came in contact with tn
wire gave yell and doubled up as |
in fit. However, his injuries wer'
not serious.
$1,000 Insurance on Stable.
The Oregon Feed Yard is owned b,
A. C. Ruby and the buildings were In
sured for $1,000. In the opinion o
H. r. McCollum, manager for MI
Ruby, this will not cover the loss, a
he believes the shed and hay wort
in the neighborhood of $4,000.
The feed yard has been rented t
H. w. Black, and has been operate
by w. T. Boynton. Since the fir
SSO eee