Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-12-10
MICHIGAN CITY HAS $75o,ooo FIRE
WHICH DRIVES HOTEL GUESTS
INTO STREET.
MANY FIREMAN ARE OVERCOME.
Water Supply Is Inadequate and Battle
Creek and Grand Rapids Are
Asked for Aid
ONE LIFE PROBABLY WAS LOST.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. Dec. Prop
erty valued at $4,000 was destroyed
here Wednesday night, five iremen We're
injured, none seriously. and 160 hotel
guests were driven scantily clad into
the streets, by fire that burned the
Burdick house. and laid in ruins the
major portion of a city square in the
business district.
A rumor that an old man had APP
peared at an upper window and had
been burned to death proved to be with
Jut foundation. More than thirty bust
ness concerns suffered losses by the fire.
Battle Creek and Grand Rapids sent APP
paratus TO aid III fighting the fire.
The heaviest loser was the Arcade
company which owned the hotel and
Arcade building ana whose loss is esti-
mated at $Z5UO00.
Starting in the basement of the Star
Bargain house, ) and 1O-cent store. at
11S West Main street, the flames, famed
by a strong southwest wind. spread east
ward along the north side of Main street
totally destroying the Burdick house, a
four-story hotel and store building, cover
ing more than half a city block.
Sweeps Business Houses.
On an arcade running north through
the Burdick building to Water street,
were half a dozen small commercial es-
adjustments, and these were burned out
Sweeping eastward on Main street from
the Burdick, the flames ate through the
Postal Telegraph and American Express
offices, ChaSeS shoe store. BOWldeck' S
mems furnishings store, Kennedy's drug
store and other business places.
AS 1t became apparent that the local
fire department would be unable to cope
with the situation. aid was summoned
from Battle Creek, twenty-five miles
east, and Grand Rapids fifty miles
north.
Guests in the Burdick house warned
of their danger fled hastily to the street
many of them scantily clothed. and some
were compelled to remain in the biting
cold several hours before finding shelter
While the flames were raging in the
hotel a man suddenly appeared at an I'D
per window and cried for help. Before
q ladder could be put in position he dis
appeared and it is believed persisted in
the fire.
Water Supply Short.
The extent of the fire is attributed to
the fact that the city depends on artes-
ian wells for a water supply and because
the amount available was entirely in
adequate. A large standpipe at an asy-
lum was connected with the city mains
but afforded only temporary relief
So great was the shortage of water
that at one time only two streams could
be directed upon the fire and these bare
IL reached to the third floor. At : 80
a. m. a city main was connected with a
nearby creek and with the aid of the
Battle Creek and Grand Rapids firemen
the flames were finally brought under
control.
Ohio Village Is Wiped Out.
COLUMBUS, o., Dec. 9-The village
of Utica, town of 900 people in Lick
ing county, was practically wiped out by
fire early today and one man. Edward
Daum of Lancaster, O., d guest of the
Hotel Vance, was burned to death
Thirty-five other guests of the hotel had
narrow escapes, and were forced to leave
the building in their night clothes. The
entire business section of the town was
destroyed. the loss being estimated at
100000. The fire department from
Newark responded to a call for help and
assisted in conquering the fire, which
was not gotten under control until late
IN the morning. The fremen suffered
considerably from the cold