Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-12-14
HOTEL
|SDESTROYE.D
At VIRGINIA
$25o,ooo LOSS SUFFERED WHEN
FAMOUS LANDMARK Is DE-
sTRoYED I'M FLAMES

Virginia City was visited by one of
the most disastrous fires in its recent
history Saturday morning. in which
the famous international hotel, occu-
pying the entire block between B and
c streets on Union street, was totally
destroyed, with only heap of smok-
ing ruins now marking the site of this
venerable and historic structure.
Considering the original cost of the
building, and it's furnishings, and the
loss sustained by the various occu-
pants of the same, adjoining property,
ETC., the total loss resulting from the
conflagration will probably total near
to 100000. That there was no loss CT
life, and that the raging furnace was
not permitted to spread to adjoining
property is the fortunate feature of
the catastrophe, and this was due to
the splendid work of the fire fighters,
the magnificent water pressure, and
to the fact that there was no wind
blowing at the time. AS it was, the
sparks were carried far, but snow be-
ing on the roofs of nearly every house
and building in the camp, prevented
ignition in this manner. The constant
playing of water on adjoining prop
erty saved it from catching fire, and
at one time no less than twelve
streams of water were to be counted,
all maintained at high pressure
While the fire has caused great loss
upon those concerned, and at this
time especially, it is considered most
fortunate that the area Of the fire was
no greater, and was confined to the
limits of the hotel building.
Alarm Before 5 O'clock
The first alarm Of fire was turned
in shortly before o'clock at the cor
poration house, and the fire cart
quickly responded, at which time, the
fire had broken through at the roof
of the building. twas sometime be
fore it became known that the great
hotel structure was on fire, but by the
sounding of the alarm by the G. G. G.
whistle, the entire town was aroused.
The fire companies of the Divide Hose
Co., and Liberty Engine Co., in Gold
Hill sent up hose. and there was soon
sufficient hose to completely encircle
the hotel, and kept water pouring
into the fire and all property adja-
cent This was most effective, and al
though the heat was Intense, the fire
fighters remained tenaciously at their
tasks, and the service rendered was
Of most heroic nature, volunteers
being ready to man the nozZles, and
to fill in at every possible place where
good could be done. The front wall
was the first to fall, and this was fol
lowed soon after by the rear, north
and south walls, Everyone was at a
safe distance when this occurred, and
no one was injured The north wall
went through the roof OF the building
formerly occupied on the ground floor
by the Wrenn saloon, and owned by
w. J. Sexsmith, breaking down to the
second floor. The loss here was also
great by water On the south side,
falling brick and debris damaged the
Sawdust Corner building, a pc ction OF
the cornice being broken away, and
many windows broken In this manner
and by heat. During the fire, two dis.
tinct and violent, explosions occurred
in the building.
Heat Was Very Intense.
Across the street, the heat on the
postofflce building and the Fredericks
house was SO intense that It wasNim'
possible to bear ones hand on the
brick and iron girders Many win
dows were broken by the heat in
| these two buildings, and to the build
ing occupied by the Smokery and
owned by Albert stefan A stream Of
water was kept playing on the Piper
opera house on B street, and thus pre-
vented it's destruction, for fire caught
several times in the cupula At the
courthouse, further to the south, Che
window panes we're so hot that 1t was
Impossible to touch them. Prepare
lions were made to remove valuable
papers ard records there. but it dlt
not prove necessafy. for with the fall
Ing OF tho walIs OF the hotel building
the intense lateral heat was greatl,
lessened. Everywhere All over tows
people packed up their vaiuables to b
ready for an emergency In case th'
flames got beyond control, and 1t be