Article Text
THEY WILL BUILD AGAIN Butte's Burned District to Rise From Its Ashes. Losses That will Not Fall Short of a Third of a Million-Ineidents That Were Gathered the Day After the Fire. Special to the Standard. BUTTE, Sept. last night a cordon of special policemen and volunteer firemen surrounded the smoking ruins of the great fire. A dozen flickering little fires here and there were all that remained of the great conflagration which destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars in property and was the most costly in Butte's history. Before midnight the fire companies ceased playing on the ruins and began reeling up the hose which had done faithful service. Fully 500 feet of hose was rendered worthless, having been burned. After the great excitement of the day, the night was the quietest one Butte has experienced in years. Except the faithful watchers about the fire, citizens, visitors and firemen alike, exhausted completely, went home and to bed. But early this morning the crowds of eager sightseers were early on the scene, inspecting the dismal ruins. The story of the fire was rehearsed in all its aspects and again were the firemen complimented for their splendid service. As the day wore on, however, the fire became an old story and with customary push and enterprise the business men of Butte turned their minds from the gloomy wreck of the flames to plans of the future. This afternoon the ruins are still smoking; but while the smoke is arising, the men who have suffered the heaviest losses have employed gangs of men to pull down toppling walls, are clearing away debris, and are drawing plans for other and more elegant buildings to replace at once those that have been destroyed. All day a gang of fifty workmen have been pulling down the skeleton walls of the Hennessy building. John o Rourke told the STANDARD reporter in one week he would have all the debris cleared away, and in one month the new building will be up and ready for oceupancy. D. J. Hennessy has already rented the prospective building. Inasmuch as the loss here is complete, there will be no delay through the adjustment of losses. Mr. O'Rourke's building rented for $6,600 a year. The new building will brick. be a three-story instead of a two-story The First National bank this morning establishe quarters in the real estate office of Murphy & Cannon, directly across Main street from their:former place, and went into business. There was quite a run on the bank, but everything was met promptly and unquestioningly. The bank will rebuild right away. Whether the new building will be two or three stories will depend on whether all the walls will have to come down or not. If so, the new building will be three stories, otherwise the same as before. Henry Jonas, owner of the Kahnweiler building, will rebuild at once, and Kahnweiler will occupy it again. The rear wall and perhaps the side walls will be torn down. The work of rebuilding will begin as soon as the insurance is adjusted. John M. Bowse, owner of the new hotel where the fire started, told the STANDARD that he would not rebuild until spring, as he fears cold weather will come so soon as to interfere with the work. But the hotel will be built in the spring, and will be much larger. Three small frame buildings between the hotel and the rear of Kahnweiler's bazaar, were the property of Mr. Bowse, and instead of rebuilding these he will extend the hotel over that ground. The Bishop block on the north" side of Granite street will need much repairing, and this work will be done at once. A. W. Barnard could not say whether he would rebuild his block this fallor wait until spring; it would depend on whether materials of proper nature are available. But be will surely build in the spring and the before. new block will be a two-story brick, as The Bonner Mercantile store, Babeock's hat store and Power's clothing store are closed until the adjustment of fire losses. The insurance adjusters are already at work. The eight physicians who were burned out have mostly secured temporary quarters. There is a good deal of rivalry among the dentists of Butte, but no sooner was Dr. J. M. Reid burned out, than Dr. Averill, a rival dentist, went at once to Dr. Reid and offered him the use of his office, instruments and anything else he had. Dr. Howard, the coroner, saved only a suit of clothes, his instruments and his slate. Curtis & Major courteously permitted Dr. Howard to hang up his slate in their office. Of all the other physicians, Dr. Gleason is most unfortunate. To save another he risked his own life and his face is a horrible sight- a mass of blisters. The police have also been busy to-day and are forretting out the wretches who stole goods from Babeock's store. George E. Ferris was found in the possession of a large number of stolen goods and it was found that he had sold many. Dr. McLarran reported that he had bought a pair of gloves of this man last night. He had also been seen to sell hats, caps and other goods. He was arrested in Meaderville by Marshal McArthur. Nick Ayres was arrested by Officers Walters and Murray for stealing powder and cigars. John Kelly was arrested by Officer Leyden for stealing and trying to sell a hat which was the property of Babeock. The police are on the track of several other thieves. When the fire was its flereest yesterday afternoon, occurred an incident which well illustrates the despair of Main street citizens at the time, Wm. M. Jack was putting up the iron shutters in front of his hardware store, Jas. H. Lynch, it is said, at once offered $1,000 for the iron shutters for his store across the way. The offer was refused. William Chapman, the man who was buried under the falling walls, is reported much improved. This afternoon he was removed to his home on W yoming street, South Butte. It is thought he will live. Cattaner. P.