Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-09-08

The Artesian hotel, at Main and
Grand streets. one of Pullman's old
oct landmarks, was burned to the
ground Sunday night, the flames
having been discovered about 4
o'clock. In little more than an hour
all that remained of the three-story
structure was a mass of smouldering
ruins. The three-stOry frame build
ing had long been considered a fire
tran and but for the fortunate condi-
tions surrounding the fire, including
the lack of wind and the rainfall
which preceded the blaze, the flames
would undoubtedly have spread and
caused a loss many times greater
than that which actually resulted.
The fire was discovered by John
Ricketts,, who observed smoke on the
second floor and made his way to
the west end of the hall, where the
flames were found in the wall of
vacant room. Ricketts, Immediately
turned in the alarm and then made
his way to the third floor to awaken
the roomers. Here, he claims, he
found another fire burning, with no
the second floor Within a few min
utes the entire building was ablaze
and had the discovery been delayed
one or two minutes there is little
doubt that some of the rOomers
would have been trapped. Prac-
tically all of the 43 rooms were oc-
Cupied and volunteers rushed
through the building sounding the
alarm, the rOomers sCurrying to
safety down the fire escapes in va
rious stages of dress. but without
undue disorder
George Downey a bricklayer. who
occupied room on the second floor,
jumped from his window and sus-
tanned a fractured ankle. He
grabbed his suitcase as he made his
way to the window, but is reported
to have left 5000 under his pillow.
The hotel building was owned by
A Landon, of Spokane. and was op-
Grated by his son, William Landon.
Inc owner estimates the loss on the
building at 10000 and on the fur
niture approximately $35OO. with
ABOUT 90 per cent of the total GOV
eFeo by Insurance The building and
contents were practically a total loss,
only few small articles of furni-
lure having been saved from the ho-
tel office.
Inc flames spread to the ]. B.
oanoorn building, Just south of the
MOTEL which was occupied as tin
Snop by George Libby. The struc-
'ure was almost completely de-
'uOyed, with loss of over $500.
WIN $1,000 insurance. The Libby
SUCK and equipment was also prac-
uVally total loss Mr.. Libby car
,,eu insurance to the extent OF
sA0o0' which, with the stock and
,|'cninery salyaged, will reduce his
loss to minimum
All the windows in the south side
VI TIE Ankeny building, across the
s.'eet Irom the hotel, and occupied
~ tne }. c. Penney store and the
s",'Iey rooming house. were broken
~ 'ne window sashes caught fire
NJ oln the intense heat. Considera
s,s 1''nage was done in the Penney
b., principally by water, the loss
QS,s Sus estimated at $4,000. n. T.
t''ey proprietor of the rooming
9ouse' ,Oas estimates his loss at between
W. W. ana 5000, all water damage.
co.,, a'iaht efforts were required to
II, e the buildings to the south Of
s,s.. 'anDom building. on Grand
bon j. NJ, Palmerton and three
a.. piay'hg streams of water from
niod 9 nose on the building occu-
dpri. .he Weir second hand store
was :, lne entire time that the fire
bss, III progress, despite the intense
the ~ ne Palmerton residence and
Died 'tsluenee on Main street occu-
tbra.,y ~ ). W. Robinson were also
have a'ened % and would undoubtedly
bov,neu Durned had there been a wind
The nas, A plate glass window in
hs natlron building was cracked nv
that H.. anu lor a time it was feareI
Tha a' a. building would catch fire
Purp.lir IRE was one of the hottest tn
fire fn, history and the volunteer
hind ss Sn'efs were forced to get be-
enough bH'ysoods boxes to get close
everT 81 TO reach the flames. Nearly
WI OF fire hoe. i