Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1912-04-10

/ Wv DhnbsS NJ
Madrid. an employc of the Journal
Miner was on his way to the post
office to post the Sunday morning
issue OF the paper, he noticed a
dense smoke issuing from the stair
way i'm the old Head Hotel block.
He stopped to make investigation
and on taking few steps up the
stairway, he heard the cracking Of
the angry flames of the FIRE demon.
and he knew that he had discovered
a fire. Lee Wilson, head carrier of
the Journal Miner came up just at
that instant and on being hastily in
formed OF the impending danger the
two men raced TO the FIRE box at
the Biies-Lockhart corner and turn
ed in an alarm al 40.
The big FIRE bell was soon telling
the FIRE boys that their services
were needed and they were soon on
the job Thus Prescott narrowly
escaped another FIRE disaster, for
had the flames had a little longer
lead their checking would not have
been the comparatively small job
that IL was
II is believed that the FIRE origin
ated in the store OF A. Z. Black
burn, in small room under the stair
way. II had gained such Roadway
in few minutes after the fire APP
paraius arrived, that the flames were
breaking through and practically en-
comprised all OF the structure in
the front rooms above on the south
and west sides.
N Three streams Of water were turn
ed on. and in less than twenty min
utes the destruction OF the building
was averted. The loss by water
was heavy. and particularly so to
Mr.. Blackburn. Practically his en-
tire stock was sacrificed. while his
insurance was only nominal.
Mr.. Timerhof. in the adjoining
room. was likewise a heavy Loser
and especially did his stock OF sta.
iionery. with other goods in boxes
suffer severely The damage sus.
tanned to the hotel in six or sever
rooms, was complete, while in III,
rear Tom Bates Photographic studi,
suffered considerable loss.
: Slight damage resulted in the
Z Office Of J. NJ w. Moore 4 Son on
' the ground floor The stairway o
= the hotel leading to the upper foo
J. was a complete loss and with othe
5 wood work. viii have to be rebuilt
' The origin 81 the FIRE IS a matter O
q conjecture. Estimates place III
e. losses at from $4,000 to $4,000, al
J. covered by insurance for variou
y amounts by those affected
: Attending this FIRE. the feaiur
q which embraces the close call q
several occupants Of rooms is to b
x noted. Particularly did {. f. Genir
and Carl Gibbs have a narrow ~
cape from death by suffoeation. IN
two being unable Ia learn how the
q escaped. After the alarm was give
Mr.. Gentry opened the door Of h
room and was developed in a olou
* oi smoke as he attempted 10 reac
' the stairway. Mr. Gibbs held ON b
the coat tail Of Mr. Gentry II
hallway was black with the rollin
smoke, and both were struggling
reach that point and 10 descend.
- While in this dared condition NJ
; Gentry fell down the flight of siaii
" 20 the FIRST landing and faiiir
against The swinging doors white
Y opened. was out Of danger. In
or few seconds Mr.. Gibbs descend,
Ne in practically the same manner Boz
as were found 20 be seriously aheci'
by inhaIing smoke. but IN sho
he time were revived Other mario
ri escapes were reported
ch An investigation made aftcrwai
or 81 this avenue oi escape revealed Il
81 perlous situation 81 these men ~
they attempted 20 walk down Il
ed stairs there is no doubt whaieys
a. hut what their weight would hs'
Al been sufficient 20 crash the burn'
ch boards. which would have precif
,aied them into the furnace bslo
2; and they would have been burned
~ death.
nj r. A. Liner. day clerk 81 Il
~ hotel. worked vigorously and cfies
to lively 20 fight The FIRE aud expos
he himself to such an extent that Il "
y believed for some time he had "a