White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-31
AULTMAN STREET SCENE
OF DISASTROUS FIRE
GOOD WORK BY FIRE DEPART
MENT PREVENTS GENERAL
CONFEDERATION; FAIR HOTEL
LIBERTY THEATER AND sue
CEs GROCERY BURNED

The Fair hotel, at the northeast
corner of Aultman and Sixth streets
in Ely. was completely destroyed by
ire which broke out about one
o'clock last Tuesday afternoon. The
fire was the most disastrous one In
this district for many years, II not In
its history.
The origin of the fire will perhaps
never be definitely determined, but
from all conditions. the most likely
theory Ii that II started from an
overheated stove in the main hall.
The upper portion of the building
was occupied as a rooming house and
conducted by Mrs. N. Lavoie, who
was the first TO discover the blaze.
An alarm was turned in and the
fire department was quickly on the
scene. but the entire upper story VISA
then a mass OF flames. so that the
f,re laddies devoted the greater atten-
ton to the saving of adjoining prop
erty. and in this they did excellent
work notwithstanding the fact that
the large corner building was close
ly surrounded by numerous
other frame buildings, the damage
vas confined to the one building In
which the blaze broke out.
Mrs. Lavoi did not carry any in
snrance and will suffer a total loss.
which will probably be upwards of
$4,000.
The building proper as owned by
Anthony Zurich and Mike Bosta. On
this II Is said $4,000 insurance was
carried. but the loss will be far In
excess of that amount.
The main corner OF the building
was occupied by h. B. Hildebrand
as the Success Grocery and Meat
Market. The stock was valued at
about $4,000. on which insurance OF
the amount OF $4,000 was covered
The flames we're well confined by
fhe nre department to the upper
floor and the damage to Mr.. Hide
brands stock will perhaps be from
fifty TO seventy FIVE per cent.
Mr.. Hildebrand and family oc-
eupied rooms in the rear of the store
for dwelling purposes, and here suf-
fered a serious loss. as their apart
ments were gutted. and but little es-
capped the ravages of the fire and
water.
The Liberty theater, which also
occupied a portion of the main floor
of the building. was almost complete
IL destroyed. The theater was en-
tirely remodeled at great expense
about two years ago, but for the past
year has been used only for special
occasloins. The loss here will be
considerable. as only the picture ma
chimes and piano were saved. while
chairs as we'll as other costly fixtures
which were part OF the interior ar
rangement. are total loss.
When 1t was discovered that the
fire was unusual In character busi-
aess men and others turned out to
assist the fire department. Many OF
the hremen took desperate chances in
their efforts to save life and prop
erty.
Six streams were used in holding
the fire In check.
There were a number OF men who
we're working on night shift asleep
IN their rooms when the fire broke
out. Mrs. Lavoie. when she discov-
cred the fire. did not attempt to save
any OF her own belongings, but
aroused all who we're in the building.
and as a result there was no loss OF
life.
One OF the guests escaped only with
MS pajamas, and at nearby tall
oring establishment he was fitted out
with immediate needs. The weather
was bitter cold and the brave fire
boys stood and fought the blaze
which threatened the entire block
Tor hours. with their clothing a
sheet Of Ice around them.
When the fire was finally under
control, the boys were taken care OF
at near homes. and W. S. (Ole)
Elliott of the Northern hotel, invited
all to his establishment, where many
We're cared for and perhaps saved
from pneumonia or other serious con-
sequences
L. Wetmore. proprietor OF the
prop-in bar, adjoining the burning
outiding, also kept open house for
'ne hremen during the time of the
conflagration. With the corrugated
"on side wall Of his place red hot t,and
"a'er pouring in from above. he did
BUSINESS throughout the progress of
'ne blaze and provided opportunity