New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-06
Hundreds of Buildings De-
Stroyed and 1000 Persons
Homeless Before the
Flames Are Checked.
GOVERNOR CALLS MILITIA
Light, Water and Power Plants
and County Court House
Among Those Reduced to
Ashes - Forty Mile
Gale Blowing.

Hot ~.~ings. Ark, Sept. 5.-Fire
which started in a negro's cabin at
$50 o'clock this afternoon was slowly
dying out at the foot of West Noun
tain, the southern extremity of Hot
Springs. at midnight. after reducing
TO a smouldering mass of wreckage an
area more than mile in length and
from seven TO ten blocks wide in the
eastern section of the city The none
tary loss is roughly estimated at $lO,-
O.OoO.
Governor Hays arrived in Hot
Springs late tonight. and probably will
order a military patrol of the burned
district tomorrow morning. United
States troops also are expected from
Little Rock to add to the guard on the
military reservation.
In the path of the flames were man
ufacturing houses hotels, several OF
the more pretentious residences and
public buildings. which are in ashes. 1t
is estimated that 1000 persons are
homeless. The few persons hurt suf-
fered only minor injuries.
Among the buildings destroyed we're
the city's light, water and power
plants. the county courthouse. the
High School Building, the Park Hotel,
the Moody Hotel, the Princess Hotel
the ST Louis, Iron Mountain & South
ern Railroad station and shops and the
Arkansas Sanatorium.
Few Saved Their Goods.
Smaller buildings by the hundreds
were reduced to ashes. Only few OF
those whose homes were burned saved
any of their household effects, and
guests of the hotels gave little heed to
their valuables and luggage in their
efforts 10 escape the flames.
The fire originated within several
blocks of the United States Army and
Navy Hospital, and took a scutherly
and easterly course. Frail wooden
structures in the negro section about
Church street and Malvern avenue,
where the fire started, made more than
ordinarily infammable by an extended
drouth. burned like tinder. Driven by
q high wind. the fire spread rapidly.
Within fifteen minutes il was appar-
ent that the fire-fghting force Of Hot
Springs was inadequate, and an appeal
was made to Little Rock for aid APP
paratus and men were sent. but the
confagration was then beyond control
Dynamite was resorted TO when II was
apparent that water would be OF no
avail, but this also failed to check the
progress of the flames.
The burned district for some dis
tance skirts the business section ana
several times the shifting winds, which
blew a forty mile gale. headed the fire
for the principal business section, but
each time the free use of explosives
and an opportune change in the Wind
saved it. Before nightfall the task OF
checking the flames was abandoned
and the combined fire-fighting forces
turned their efforts toward keeping the
Are away from the centre of the city.
This much was accomplished.
City in Darkness.
The city at midnight was in darkness
oxcept for the glow Of the dying fire.
which cast shadows over a scene OF
oesoation.
Early in the evening Mayor McCen-
don ordered all saloons closed and
called a mass meeting Of citizens at the
Citv Hall. Two hundred and fifty
special officers were sworn in to patrol
Continued on second page, sixth column.