The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1912-01-15

causes wiped frame structures con-
tanning three saloons, clothing
store, barber shop, restaurant and
two lodging houses and did serious
damage to the three story Brinkman
hotel, buffet and theater, the total
loss approximating $30,500.
Starting in the two-story frame
building on Minnesota avenue long
known as the "Blue Front and oc-
cupied by Lars Lind as a saloon res
taurant, the flames ate their way
through the Palace Clothing store,
the Ray Dennis Barber shop and
greedily attacked the Harry Gunsa-
lus saloon at Minnesota and Third
street, one of the busiest corners in
the city and directly opposite the
Nangle store and Commercial club.
Adjoining the Gunsalus saloon on
the east was the E. K. Anderson sa-
loon and this fell a ready prey to the
onrushing billows of flames which
swept over the two story Anderson
building breathing perilous blasts on
the Brinkman structure, the ignition
OF which meant destruction for every
bntlqiAg on the south side of Bemid-
ills principal street. "
Five strvams Of water under a
steady pressure coursing through
every foot Of hose at the command
of the department together with the
splendid resistance Of the Brinkman
brick wall, succeeding in blocking
the flames, and at a. m. Sunday
morning danger of further spread
Of the flames was over. The firemen
were on duty from 1880 Saturday
night until Z a. m. Sunday.
During the excitement Of the fire
thieves got busy and at the Brink
man hotel a dress case containing
several hundred dollars and other
valuables was stolen after all per-
sons living there had been driven
from the heat reddening and smoke
filled structure, while at the Lind
building Amelia Nyhus, a domestic
gave a basket containing $40 Of he1
wages and other valuables to man
in the hallway who posed as a fire
fighter and neither man nor money
has since been seen.
From the saloons large quantities
of liquors were carried out into the
street only to be stolen and con
sumed by men who afterward stag.
gered about intoxicated.
The fire is believed to have started
in the restaurant of the Blue Front
building occupied by Lars Lind but
Mr.. Lind does not believe this to be
true.
There had been no fire in the
kitchen since 8 O'clock said Mr
Lind today, tsand it looked to me as
if the flames broke out in the next
building. It was a blessing that the
fire when it did or some persons
might have perished. Ny two chill.
dren, 8 and II, scampered out Of bed
and ran almost naked to the barber
shop where they were saved. Nc
one else was in danger .
All the burned buildings adjoined
each other and we're old structures
the Gunsalus saloon building being
one Of the city's landmarks. From
the Lind building the flames crept
with rapidity to the upper part OF
the clothing store and barber shop
but for a time appeared to be check
ed and it was fully an hour before
tongues of fire shot up from the
building toward Third street and
caused all who saw them to shudder
for the safety Of at least half of Be
mfdji's business section.
Chief Harry Cell and Assistant
Chief ]. ]. Doran directed the work
Of the firemen. An effort was made
to utilize the fire engine which was
quickly steamed up and run into po-
sition but there was not sufficient
hose to use 1t.
Two lines Of hose were under the
direction of Foreman Ray Dennis of
company No. 1, two more lines un-
der the direction of Foreman Scott
Stewart Of company No. 2 and the
fifth line under Floyd Brown. Three
streams OF water we're poured into
the rear OF the. bull ldings while two
soaked the front. The lines at the
rear also protected the Information.