TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
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Told <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pioneers<br />
ca<strong>the</strong>dral. Watchman McGinnis says <strong>the</strong> flames flashed up and enveloped<br />
<strong>the</strong> building as though kerosene had been used. There was<br />
an odor <strong>of</strong> coal oil about <strong>the</strong> building during <strong>the</strong> progress <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fire.<br />
The church was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oldest landmarks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Territory, and<br />
stood on land regarding which <strong>the</strong>re had been much litigation between<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bishop <strong>of</strong> Nisqually and General Gibbon. It was an historic structure,<br />
having been built in <strong>the</strong> palmy days <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hudson's Bay Company.<br />
It was situated on Fifth street, nearly half a mile from <strong>the</strong><br />
place where fire had broken out in <strong>the</strong> business district.<br />
The church was a smoldering ruin <strong>by</strong> 1 :30 A. M., and <strong>the</strong> tired firemen<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city and garrison slowly wound up <strong>the</strong>ir hose and returned<br />
<strong>the</strong> engines to <strong>the</strong> stations. Nearly everyone had come out to see <strong>the</strong><br />
fire, and in half an hour <strong>the</strong>y were all home again and seeking to complete<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir night's rest.<br />
Their thoughts <strong>of</strong> sleep were dispelled <strong>by</strong> fiye rifle shots in rapid<br />
succession, followed <strong>by</strong> a shot from <strong>the</strong> sentry at <strong>the</strong> garrison, and<br />
<strong>the</strong> ringing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fire bells. Instantly flames shot up from <strong>the</strong> rear<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city and began <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> destruction.<br />
The total loss was $50,000 to $60,000. Mayor Daniels was absent<br />
and Councilman G. H. Daniels, acting mayor, thought <strong>the</strong> Vancouver<br />
people could take care <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sufferers.<br />
There was great opposition to <strong>the</strong> proposition <strong>of</strong> retaining <strong>the</strong> net<br />
proceeds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Fourth <strong>of</strong> July celebration, which were to be sent to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Johnston flood sufferers.<br />
MRS. OTTO CASE<br />
King County<br />
Living descendants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> proprietMs <strong>of</strong> Rice & Gardner referred to<br />
below are Lela, daughter <strong>of</strong> Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Rice, now Mrs. Jam.es<br />
Mossman; and Harriet, daughter <strong>of</strong> Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, now Mrs.<br />
Otto Case<br />
At <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fire <strong>of</strong> 1889, we lived at Third and Yesler Way.<br />
A few minutes before school was dismissed at 3 0 'clock, we heard <strong>the</strong><br />
fire bell. I thought it was quite a fire as <strong>the</strong> fire bell kept ringing<br />
continuously. The report circulated that <strong>the</strong> fire was advancing down<br />
Front street. Volunteers were all called out. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> buildings<br />
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