South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-09-06
HOT SPRINGS IS
DEVASTATED BY
$4,000, 900 FIRE

ALBANY. Ind. sept s.-Firi,r
which started in a negro's cabin az
$3.50 O'Clock Friday afternoon was
slowly dying out at the foot OF West
Mountain. the southern extremity OF
Hot Springs, al midnight after re-
ducinG 10 a smouldering mass og
wreckage an area more than mile
in length and from seven 10 ten blocks
wide in the eastern section OF the city.
The monetary loss is roughly estimat-
ed at Sl0.OOO.0OO.
Gov. Hays arrived at Hot Springs
late Friday night and probably viii
order a military patrol OF the burned
district Saturday. United States troops
also are expected from Little Rock TO
the add 10 the guard on the military
reservation.
In the path Of the flames were man
ufacturing houses. hotels. numser
OF the more pretentious residences
and public buildings. which are Ia
ashes. 1t is estimated that 600 pe.-
sons are homeless
But few OF those whose homes were
burned saved any OF their houser).d
effects and guests OF the hotels gaye
little heed to their valuables and lug
gage IN their efforts 10 escape the
flames.
Starts in Dwelling.
The fire originated I'm a Nero
dwelling on Church ST. near Malvern
av., just east OF the Army and Navy
hospital. shortly after o'clock I'r;-
day afternoon and spread quickly Il
the south and east a number OF
small dwellings, dry as tinder. as
result of an extended drouth. v.er
easy prey for the flames which in 4
few minutes were beyond the control
of the local fire department From
this region the fire spread 10 man
ufacturing section. then 20 a pretenti-
Gus residence and hotel district and
at O'Clock the shifting wind threat
ened TO carry the flames 10 the main
business section. A supreme effOrf
was made to divert the fire toward
the suburb of South Hot SprirSy
when IL was apparent that efforts
control it would be unavailing
At o'clock this effort appeags4
Among the buildings destroyed ~
TO be meCs-ng with some success.
the city's light vater and power
plants, the county court house. the
Park, Jefferson, Princess and MOODY
hotels. the City high school Iron
Mountain railroad station and shops,
Ozark sanitarium. Peoples laundry.
Crystal theater and Biiuu rink bc,
sides hundred or more smaller
business buildings and many rcsi-
dences. including some of the best
in the city
No fatalities had been reported.
Beyond Control.
Fifteen minutes after the fire start
ed it was beyond the control of the
Hot Springs fire fighting force and
aid was asked OF Little Rock Spe-
cial trains brought additional appa-
ratus from that city. but water. dyna-
mite and every available means of
fighting fire had failed TO check the
flames six hours after the fire started
Firemen many times endeavo-ed 10
destroy buildings yet untouched. but
the flames swept over the partially
wrecked buildings and broke ont in
new places.
The fire originated within several
blocks Of the United States Army and
Navy hospital and took a south and
east course.
Frail, wooden structures i'm the negro
section about Church 81. and Malvern
av., where the fire started. made more
than ordinarily inflammable by an ex-
tended drouth, burned like tinder
Driven by a high wind the fire spread
rapidly. Within Is minutes IL was
apparent that the fire dghting force
appeal was made 10 Little Rock for
aid. Apparatus and men were sent
but the cOnflagratiOn was then be-
yond control Dynamite was resorted
10 when IL was apparent that water
would be Of no avail, but this also
failed to check the progress OF the
DANES.
skirts business Section.
The b3rned district for some dis
lance skirts the business section and
several times the shifting winds
headed the fire for the principal bust
ness section. but each time the free
use OF explosives and an opportune
change in the wind saved IT, Before
lightfall the task OF checking the
iames was abandoned and the COM
oined fire fighting forces turned their
Efforts toward keeping the fire away
rom the center OF the city. This
much was accomplished.
The city at midnight was i'm dark
ness except for the glow OF the dying
ire. which cast shadows over "a scene
IF desolation.
Early in the evening Mayor Nc
Tlendon ordered all saloons closed
and called a mass meeting OF citizens
lt the city hall Two hundred and
fifty special officers were sworn In %
patrol the fire swept district There
vas no disorder
All the homeless have been cared
'or temporarily anG plans have been
started TO systematic the work or
iuccor Satur Jay. Many offers OF as-
distance IN fire fighting apparatus.
financial aid. food and clothing have
been received but it Is believed that
outside aid viii not be needed
Business was suspended Friday
hight except such as was necessary In
providing for the immediate wants of
hose who suffered the loss ~ their
homes.
AS result OF the destruction ~ the
water light and power plants. street
ar service was abandoned and news
,apers and other industries which