The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-09-15
LIE BEAU SWEPT BY FIRE
Busineas Section of Historic Town on
the Missouri in Ashes

Busineas Section of Historic Town or
the Missouri in Ashes
LeBeau-Practically blottad from
the map within a few hours by
flames driven by a heavy wind, there
are now only smoking embers where
yesterday the business district of LIE
Beau was the scene of activity in
mercantile trade.
The first estimate of $3.50, 900 dam
age will be increased to fully 5000, 0OO
when all the losses are computed.
The principal losses are as follows,
the estimates being on buildings only:
Phil Duran, saloon, $4,000; Boeh-
mer & Byrne, livery, $500: Patrick's
billiard hall $4,000; Mrs. T. A. Wav.
three business blocks, $4,000: Seleck's
billiard hall, $1,000; McGuigan's res
taurant, $500; A. NJ. Adler, store,
$500; William Bennett, hotel, $1,000;
Dakota State bank, $4,000: William
JOY, hotel and cafe, $1,000: First State
bank $4,000; furniture store, $500; P.
Pround, general merchandise, $500;
George T. Wing and George Shaw, law
office and implement Office, $500: Van
Campens, $4,000; entire building and
plant of Lebeau Phoenix, $4,000; Kel-
Ter general merchandise, s12, 900: post
office, $4,000; F. A. Hagen, hardware,
$1,000; Mine Ring restaurant. $500;
E. j. thinner, opera house, $500; L..
T. Davidson, two store buildings,
$4,000; Henderson & Case, law office,
$500; DR.. Smith, office, $1,000; Eta
Dean Jones, two business buildings,
$4,000.
When the fire was discovered and
the alarm given, such Roadway had
been made by the flames that there
was not adequate resistance to be
made to the progress of destruction
and the people of the town were forced
to witness the unavailing effort of the
local fire department supplemented by
every man who could bear a hand. All
were driven back by the flames, which
swept from the northwest, carrying
cinders for a half mile and threaten
ing not only dwellings but their occu-
pants. Finally the effort was largely
withdrawn from the doomed business
section and scattered about the resi-
dence portion, which was saved in
part. The business buildings being
nearly all frame structures, there was
no natural check to the progress OF
the fire. Never in the history of the
so completely destroyed as in this ca
lamity.
Not only is this loss disastrous to
the business interests represented. but
it also seriously affect the Quitting"
trade for settlers crossing the river
at this point and founding their homes
on the Cheyenne reservation.
LeBeau is one of the old towns in
South Dakota, having been establish
ed first as a trading post on the upper
Missouri, being located about seventy
miles north of Pierre by air line. It
was without railroad facilities until
about four years ago, when the Min
neapolis and St. Louis extended from
Watertown, since which time it has
made rapid growth and had become a
busting terminal and river point.
LIE Beau, s. D., Sept. 10.-Evidence
to the belief that the fire
destroyed the business district
of LIE Beau was of incendiary origin
was discovered today. The hose of
the single chemical engine owned by
the town had been slashed and was
useless when brought out to fight the
flames. The fire started on the out
side and between two buildings in the
heart of the town at an early morn
ing hour.
Efforts are being made to rebuild
and resume business as soon as posi-
BILE. Thomas A. Way, president of
Dakota Town Lot company, and
owner of the lie Beau towns'te and OF
buildings burned, arrived here
yesterday to superintend plants for
replacing structures now in ashes.
S. III. Mccoy, cashier of the Dakota
bank, opened the safe today,
its contents practically intact.
The bank has resumed business, open
ing a temporary Office in a livery sta
Bile.
1t is still impossible to give the
amount of insurance, but ii will prob
ably be in the neighborhood of $75,-
300. Practically every cent of this
will be used Gin reconstruction work.
Very little was saved from the vari-
stores and the loss in these is now
estimated at $100, 900. with about 81
per cent of insurance.
Lumber companies with yards and
headquarters here are making ar
'angements to rush in material as the
majority of the fire losses are clam
for lumber to rebuild.