The Glenwood post., 1914-11-21
leadv1ts Once Notorious Mecca For
Sports Where 0ebauehey aad Shame
Rigped and Ruled IS a Memory
LIQUOR STIMULATES FLAMES

Lsadville's notorious State stree.
which in the hurdy -gurdy Of the great
Csrbsnste camp when everyone made
Plsaty of money and let it 60 with q
hvisa hand, regardless Of means or
seessquence, now presents = desolate
aspect, the miserable cribs and ram
shsekle saloons, which from the begin
niAg have been curse and eyesore to
the city, were wiped out Thursday
morning by fire Of unknown origin.
The Herald Democrat gives the follow
ing seeount Of the blaze and its de.
stfuctive result:
State street, Leadville Is tenderloin
district, famous in its hey-day from
coast to coast, was a desolate and smok-
ing ruins last night. Two saloons.
da1eehall, six resorts and a restaurant
were wiped out to the ground by fire
which started shortly before O'Clock
yesterday morning and ragged in . high
wind until noon, razing everything it
struck and leaving only third Of the
nortA side Of the street standing.
With the electric lisAAs extinguisaed
BY Arsken circuits and hall. tAs Ayely
nts,s seseet sedpsed 70 Hpss II ssAcs
asd twisted iron, tTwo Street" early
last light was dismal and desosate. Re-
sort keepers, burned out Of their cribs,
eIbowed curious spectators in the dark.
ness Of the street, passing the happy
go-heky remarks which mark the
philosophy of the street, patiently wai.-
ing for the electric lights to come on
10 permit establishing residence for
the night.
In the high wind which blew down
from the north, the fire company was
powerless to confine the fire to . few
Of the frame buildings which have
stood for years and were as dry as au-
tumn leaves. The fire gutted every
thing as it went, starting back Of Pad
dy Aack's old dancehall, No. 126-130,
and Jackson saloon, No. 124, and
making . clean sweep from No. 122,
two doors from the famous Pioneer sa.
loon, to No. l4O near the west end of
the block. Not a stick Of timber was
standing when the fire was finally got
under control at noon. Only a wreck
Of smoking ashes, twisted iron from
former fancy ceilings, iron roofs and
bar fixtures covered the half block
wAsse mirth and revelry were lately
soaShk, aad only the underground pas
sases which once networked the ground
under the resorts like Chinatown, re-
NAMED ~ further proof that the ruins
were o.ee the marks Of the tendefloin.
A few Of the owners Of the cribs and
ether bnildings carried small amounts
Of insurance. Most Of them, however,
were without il.
With the high wind in force over his
Aanes, the fire consumed the water
frsa the fire plugs like 50 much oil.
A. tae blaze struck the liquor supplies
Of H. saloons, the bottles began to pop,
adding quantities of alcohol to heighten
IL blase. Catching at the rear Of No.
la4 and No. 126, the fire crept east
ward - far as No. 120 and westward
as far Is No. 14O, wiping out every
thing in it's path and spreading in both
direetions simultaneously.
Rumor that two town charAetefs had
been caught by the flames and wero
being burned added excitement to the
fight against the fire early in the
morning. Both of the worthies were
seen few hours later on the street.
Paddy Mack, the blind fiddler and
manager Of the former dancehall which
burned, was awakened from his sleep
by the activity, and hurried down the
staircase with his cane to gain the
street. He left everything behind him,
including his three violins. All OF his
beloasings but the clothes he had on
Ais baek were burned. He had no In
sasaaee q his bsildinG, h aid, having