The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-08-14
Old Landmark Goes Up in Smoke Entail
ing Loss Of $4,000, Partly
Insured
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONFINES FLAMES
Many Losses Sustained by Guests Who
We're Unable to Reach Rooms in Face
Of Rapid Spread Of Fire

For the seventh time in the admin.
istlation Of the present fire chief, the
department was called out to extin-
guish flames in the old Royal hotel,
leased and occupied by Mrs. j. T. Cos
sett, at the corner Of Fourth and Choc.
taw avenue, about $3.50 Saturday night
The frame structure, containing
nineteen sleeping rooms besides par
Ior kitchen and dining room, was con-
structed in a manner that made its
prompt destruction imminent and only
by prompt and efficient work on the
part Of Chief Gattis and his men we're
adjoining properties saved. At one
time it looked as il the fire boys had
the main conflagration stayed while
there was yet chance TO saye large
portion Of the old building. AS it was
the kitchen, dining room, parIor and
several rooms on the first floor show
ed little effects of the fire except from
water
The proprietor and guests we're ig-
norant Of the fact that the place was
afire until considerable headway had
hoen gained. Repeated shots coming
from the sheriff's office and shouts of
warning attracted the attention of the
guests on the front veranda, who
stepped around the corner Of the build
ing to see that the fire was ga, slug
rapid headway Mrs, Gossett, the pro-
prietor, was out driving her new Over
land car and did not return home until
the hotel had been practically reduced
to ruins. Her first thought was of her
guests and their belongings and it was
some time afterwards before she real
lied what the fire had meant to her.
Her loss is estimated at $4,000, onl
which there was but $1,000 insurance.
The building, which was the oldest ho-
tel in Chickasha, was the property of
Emmett Marshall Of Gainesville, Tex,
and was today valued at about $4,000
On this there was an insurance Of |
$4,000 4,
The fire had gained considerable !
headway before the fire department.
was notified and reached the spot
it then seemed that 1t was beyond /
control but quick work on the part of
the fire department at or,o time
brought it to point which promised
a quick halt but the dry timbers and
the upholstered walls throughout the
building proved an easy prey to the
flames which we're drawn to all parts
of the house by the draft and caused
the fire to break out in new places.
Adjoining properties were in immedi.
ate danger Of ignition.
Aside from Mrs. Gossett several
boarders were quite heavy losers.
Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Wren sustained
losses to the amount of 1850 on wear
ing apparel and bed clothing L. e.
Schow lost si95 in furniture with mi
nor losses. Mrs. Carpenter, who had
recently arrived to take charge of the
millinery department of the Burr-Bur-
CESS store, lost heavily in wearing ap-
pareI and a diamond brooch. Mr..
Cakes, connected with the electric
light company. lost everything he had
except the clothes which he wore Mr..
and Mrs. George Talbert lost quite
heavily. Mr. Munson of the Kress
store was heavy loser, losing all his
personal possessions and saving moth
ing but the clothes which he wore at
the time of the fire. Included in his
losses was 800 in cash and a S65 man
dolin. Others sustained losses.
Personal Effects Saved.
Notwithstanding the rapidity with
which the flames spread in the interior
of the building, the men who we're pres
ent did excellent salvage work and
many trunks. furnishings, two pianos,
and other articles of value we're res
cued. sometimes at the imminent peril
of those who saved them. Through
the smoke the relief party went
through the rooms Of absent guests
picking up everything that was loose
in those portions Of the house to which
access was still possible. In this man.
ner the guests we're saved losses
amounting to many hundreds Of dol
lars.
But others were heavy losers, some