The weekly soliphone., 1915-01-29
'$70,000.00 FIRE
 ON PRUET STREET
Conflagration Destroys Greater Portion of Joseph's, and Makes Complete Sweep of Hopkins Drug Business; Lackner
 Has Net Loss of $1,5OO.OO

to keep out the smoke, and as a re-
 suit they will be classed among the damaged articles. Many of these lfrocks were intended to sell at from thirty to forty dollars. Others ranged l downward to ten. The large collec- tion is considered one of the chief losses and will amount, perhaps, to
 several thousand dollars. In the
 mems clothing department the dam age is not so serious for the reason that the fabrics used in mems wear
 are not so delicate as those employed
 in costumes for the opposite sex, and
 the soil is less apparent.
 l The grocery department is com ! plete loss. It is not expected that any
 salvage whatever will be realized, al- though in the back of the building may be seen a rather conspicuous
 pile of canned goods. Attention of
 the curious was frequently and inn l pressively called to this section to- l day when an occasional pint of beans, or a quart of peaches, becom- I ing overloaded, would explode with l a sound akin to a small torpedo. It is not expected that any of the can
 ned goods will be fit for use, al
 though they offer exceptionally tan talizing odors to hobos who may
 chance to pass that way.
 Little of value was saved from Dr.
 Hopkins drug store. The doctor
 stated this morning that he usually
 carried a stock amounting to approx imately twelve thousand dollars, and that at the time of the fire it could
 have been little less than this. His insurance is seven thousand dollars, showing, according to his estimate, a net loss of four thousand dollars. Some articles were carried out by
 volunteers when it was seen that the
 flames were going to sprad from the Joseph building. but most of these
 articles disappeared when the crowd
 disappeared. Some exceptionally fine cigars, box and bulk candies, went the route that all good candies and | fragrant cigars are supposed to go, but those thus availing themselves
 of the opportunity to satisfy the crav- ings of a sweet tooth and gratify
 their desire for a first class Havana
 carelessly forgot to locate Dr. Hop kins and offer anything in return.
 The building occupied by Dr. Hop
 kins is owned by Tobe Spain of Card
 we'll It is almost complete loss. MT. Lackner owned his store build ing. Like that occupied by pr. Hop
 kins, it is seriously damaged, but
 the loss will not be complete. In both cases the roof is caved in. Wal ter Potter, who assisted In directing the work of the fire department, stated this morning that it was after enc o'clock when the flames spread
 kins store. Previous to this it had
 been hoped that by playing liberal
 supply of water upon the brick wall separating the two departments, a spread southward could be prevented. Apparently, however, the excessive heat produced combustion between the metal roof of the Hopkins store and the ceiling, and the entire over head was in flames before any effec- tive work could be accomplished. A draft was created by the skylight in the center of the Hopkins store and within a short time after 1t be- came apparent that this building
 must pay toll, the interior was a seething sheet of flames.
 MT. Lackner estimates that his net loss will not exceed fifteen hundred or two thousand dollars. It has been customary with Mir. Lackner to put
 his most valuable articles of jewel
 ry and silverware in large safe
 each night. This is done not only for
 the purpose of affording protection
 in case of fire, but to head off any
 wandering prowler who may happen
 to possess a fondness for high-class
 goods. Most of the stock of cut
 glass, and other articles carried in
 stock at this season of the year, were
 immediately transferred to the build
 ing formerly occupied by Nicely & Neely. MT. Lackner stated that he
 expected te see teAhe-e~HeFs of this