The Owyhee nugget. ([Silver City], Idaho) 1905-1984, 1909-01-01
Disastrous Fire in Silver City.


we're awakened by the cry of fire, and
on looking ont saw smoke issuing from
the roof Of the Mint saloon, just across
the street from the Nugget Office. In an
incredibly short time the flames burst
through the roof, the fire having origin
ated from adjective flue, orstove pipe.
The citizens turned out in short order
and soon had several streams of water
on the fire, bnt WAS unable to check
the headway of the flames. Soon re-
cruits began to arrive from the sur
rounding mines aud Dewey aud Della
mar.
The buildings on that side of the
street consisted of "frame range or
one building attached to another or
built so close to each other that there
was no opportunity to fight the fire
successfully from The side, an as the
ground is quite steep and the Easements
were used for storing wood, coal and
other fuel, the whole building was soon
roaring furnace. Fortunately there
was very little wind and the roofs of
the buildings we're covered partly with
snow, which saved the town from entire
destruction. As soon as it was seen
that the fire could not be confined to
the building in which it originated, prep
arations were made for blowing up the
adjoining buildings by dynamite BY
this time the Brewery saloon on the
north was on fire with no chance OF saw
ing it, aud charges Of powder we're
placed in the Whitefront barber shop.
After that was blown up and the fire
fighters could use the hose from that
side the further advance of the fire in
that direction was checked. The blast
ing seemed to cause what little wind
there was to change and blow towards
the south, aud soon the building occu-
pied by @ " Caldwell, as general
merchandise store, was on fire, and as
the only salvation for saving the parl OF
the town lying south was to stop the
lire at the narrow alley just south of
this building, heavy charge of giant
powder was put in the building and it
blown up.
With five lines of hose from he hyd-
rants throwing water upon the flames
the fire was beginning to come under
control if it could be stopped at the al
ley south Of the Caldwell store, and by
the united efforts of those fighting the
fire it was confined to the district al
ready in flames. although several times
the buildings across the alley were on
fire, but it was soon put out Much
good was done by shoveling snow on
tile burning buildings, which materially
/ alueu In stopping Jne ure.
Many acts of heroism and dangerous
risks were taken but no injury or acci
dents of note occurred. The only life
lost so far reported was that of a pet
cat
The financial loss was quite heavy,
being estimated at from $4,000 to $780,
600. At the high cost of material in
this place and cost of fuel consumed the
latter figure would come nearer the cor.
rect mark. There was no insurance on
any of the buildings or contents de-
stroyed except $500 on Caldwell's stock
Of merchandise. The following is list
of the losses as near as we can obtain
them at present;
L. w. Walker, building aud damage
done to fixtures, $500; Ed. Crete sa-
loon building and lunch counter fix
lures and stock, $500; Michael Rock,
resteaurant, lodging house, saloon build
ing and store buildings in all--all
we'll furnished, $40, 900; Lowery & Aura,
stock of liquor and cigars and personal
objects, $4,000; Chinaman, personal eff
fecls and stock of provisions, $1,000;
Jack Slattery, stock and damage to
building, 5000; C. M, Caldwell, loss and
damage to stock of general mercban-
disc, S75OO-insurance $500. The in
jury to surrounding property and los.
ses by hastily moving furniture will
fully amount to $1,000.
This has been a sad blow to our town,
but work has already been started to