Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-26
OF PEOPLE
ARE MADE HOMELESS
Water Supply Was Exhaust
ed Soon After the Fire
Started and Conflagration
Ragged Unchecked From 2
p. N. Until Midnight.

Salem, Mass, June 26.-The conflaG-
ration which laid waste here yesterday
more than 1000 buildings, entailing q
$10,o00.000 loss. was burning itself out
today. The burned area followed q
rough semi circle three miles long and
from half a mile to a mile and q half
wide. One woman was found burned in
the tenement ruins and 10000 were
made homeless. The flames ragged
from p. m. to midnight despite the
efforts Of the firemen Of adjoining
cities. The water gave out late In the
afternoon and dynamite was used. The
militia was ordered to patrol the
streets. The state authorities have
announced that tents and 10000 rations
will be shipped here Immediately.
Starting at 2 o'clock as the result Of
an explosion in the Korn Leather COM
pany plant, the flames spread In all
directions. defying all efforts Of the
firemen.
Block after block was dynamited. but
the fire checked in one direction. was
driven by shifting winds into the new
paths of destruction.
Firemen Left Helpless.
At the start the water pressure waA
low and when the fight became desper-
ate q great water main near Beverly
bridge broke, leaving the firemen prac-
tically helpless.
Meanwhile calls for assistance were
rushed to nearby cities and an enor-
nous quantity of apparatus responded.
only to find that there was no water
to check the progress of the flames.
From historic Gallows hills. where
alleged witches were hanged 200 years
ago, the fire spread quickly through
the shoe and leather manufacturing
district south to the Boston q Maine
tracks at Jefferson avenue and east
ward to the water front.
Late last night from brands carried
into the business section to the north
started second fire at North street.
A little later q tank of the Standard
Oil company In the northwest part OF
the city was ablaze and presently a
third fire was leveling the buildings In
that section.
The burned buildings include the
plants OF score of manufacturing
companies, among them the big factory
of the Naumkeag cotton mills, st. Jo-
seph's Roman Catholic church, recently
erected at cost of a quarter of mil
lion dollars. the orphan asylum and
more than 200 residences and tenement
buildings Among these residences
were colonial homes which artists have
declared to be the finest type of that
architecture in tho country.
The entire section occupied by the
Italian and Greek colonies was devas-
tated. Most OF the 1000 persons who
had homes In that district were housed
temporarily at the Y. M. C. A. building.
the state armory. police stations and
other public buildings.
All roads going out OF the city were
crowded with refugees afoot, in auto
mobiles and in all sorts of convey
ances. Many carried all they had
saved OF their household possessions.
wrapped in sheets and shawls over
their shoulders.
Late last night brands kindled q
fourth fire IN the plant of the Salem
OIL company in Mason street A ter
rifle explosion occurred when the oil
tanks blew up and showers OF sparks
fell threateningly on a part Of the town
that before had not been in imminent
danger.