Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-06
2,5OOI MADE HOMELESS
BY HOT SPRINGS FIRE
FIFTY CITY BLOCKS DESTROYED
WITH TOTAL LOSS OF
100000.
REFUoEEs CARED FOR IN
CAMP GUARDED ~ MILITIA
FirS ssartlne In Negro Cottage eprsads
20 Fine Reid snss District and Thence
e eusinsss ouartsr-Light Plant
Destroyed and Water Works DAM
aesG-?artiai List Of Buildings.


aasG-?artial List Of Duildines.
Hot Springs. Ark, Sept. s.-Stunned
by the extent Of the damage wrough,
by last nights fire. which swept more
than Atty city blocks with an estimated
loss Of se.ooo.ooo. the oitisens Of Hot
Springs today took the first steps to-
ward rehabilitation.
May.r McClsndon accepted Governor
Hayes' offer Of two companies Of state
militia and ordered q mass meeting OF
citizens. when 1t will be decided
whether the city will call on outside
cities for help. It was estimated 1850
persons were made homeless by the
fire. The majority Of these are being
temporarily camped in the vicinity OF
the Oaklawn race track and state fair
grounds.
Carry Salvage TO Camp.
Grand avenue leading from the
burned area to the fair grounds today
presented a picturesque sight. Hun
oreds OF families with what little they
saved from the ruins were gathered
along the roadway. gradually working
their way to the camp grounds. The
militia Will aid these people and guard
the devastated district
There is no danger OF water fam
inc. according to the authorities. Even
If the supply were cut off there are
numerous cold springs thruout the city
to furnish sufficient water for all pur-
poses.
It was announced today that the
city will be without electric lights for
sixty days.
The Sentinel Record. the morning
paper here, barely escaped destruction
by the fire last night, and did not Is
sue its regular editions. The New Era
and Daily News, the afternoon papers
are without power and unable to pub
ush.
Starts in Dwelling.
The fire originated in Negro
dwelling on Church street, near Maj
vern avenue. just east OF the Army
and Navy hospital, shortly after !
o'clock. and spread quickly to the
solth and east A number Of small
dwellings, dry as tinder. as result OF
an extended drouth, were easy prey for
the flames, which within few minutes
were beyond control Of the local fire
department. "a
From this region the fire spread to a
manufacturing section. then to q pre-
tentious residence and hotel district
and then the shifting wind threatened
to carry the flames 70 the main busi-
ness section.
A supreme effort was made to divert
the fire toward the suburb Of South
Hot Springs. when it was apparent
that efforts to control it would be un-
availing.
Among the buildings destroyed were'
City light, water and power plants.
Garland county court house.
Park, Jefferson, Princess and Moody
hotels.
City high school.
Iron Mountain railroad station and
shops. {.
Ozark sanatorium.
Peoples laundry. ~.
Ziegler apartments.
Crystal theater.
Bijou rink.
A hundred or more smaller business
buildings and many residences, includ-
ing some of the best in the city, were
burned.
Blaze Beyond Control.
Fifteen minutes after the fire started
1t was beyond the control Of the Hot
Springs fire fighters and aid was asked
OF Little Rock. Special trains brought
additional apparatus from that city,
but water, dynamite and every avail
able means of fighting fire had failed to
check the flames six hours after the
FIRE started. Firemen many times Ell
deavored to destroy buildings yet un-
touched. but the flames swept over the
partially wrecked buildings and broke
out In new places
At times early in the night the gale
reached q velocity Of forty miles an
hour. and three times the shifting wind
currents changed tho course Of the
fire. Twice It was headed for the main
business district, but the free use OF
dynamite and the combined fire light
ing force succeeded in diverting the
course Of the fre toward South Hot
Springs. III n
Rain Comes ~ Blessing.
A generous downpour OF rain today
proved a valuable aid to weary work
ers among the ruins OF the So.06G.SGa
confiagration. Altho about fifty -hve
city blocks are in ruins, perfect order
prevails. It Is probable that city au-
thorities will not call for assistance
from the state at large.
The light and power company has
provided emergency facilities for the
newspapers and other industries.
AT q mass meeting today q commit
tee was appointed to meet the city
council to provide f1re apparatus and
to care for the homeless.
More than 5000 feet Of; hose were
destroyed last night and many horses
OF the department were rendered use-
less.
The mayor today praised the efforts
of the local and Little Rock firc fight
ers. pointing out that not fatality
occurred. =