Wardner Wiped Out By Fire.

Spokane Falls, Washington, Jan. 4.-The town of Wardner, Idaho, was almost obliterated by fire to-day. The fire started in a laundry at 12 o’clock and burned fiercely until 3:30 o’clock, when it had burned itself out. The loss will reach the neighborhood of $90,000, with little or no insurance.

The news came by telephone wire, which is the only wire into Wardner. The operator staid at his post until the office caught fire.

When the fire started the reservoir, which was situated on the side of a mountain, and it is the only source of supply, was found to be empty, and the fire was fought with snow.

Wardner is one of the principal mining towns in Coeur d’Alene district. The town is situated in a deep gulch, with but one street, about two miles long. There was no Fire Department to speak f. Situated as it was, with high and huge mountains towering hundreds of feet above on either side, the wind had full sweep.

There can be no doubt that the town is completely wiped out. The Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine, the richest in Coeur d’Alene is on the outskirts of the town.

The New York Times, New York, NY 5 Jan 1890

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Devoured By Flames.

Twenty-five Buildings At Wardner, Idaho, Wiped Out By Fire.

Portland, Oregon, Jan. 5.-A special from Wardner, one of the principal mining towns in the Coeur d’Alene district of Idaho, says a disastrous fire visited the town today. Twenty-five houses were destroyed, including six three-story buildings. The loss is estimated at $100,000. The reservoir in the mountains, which is the only water supply was empty and the men fought the fire with snow, thus saving the town from total destruction. The fire originated in a laundry and burned fiercely. The following are among the houses destroyed: Mint Restaurant, Moore’s Block, Silver Lead Mining Company’s office, Liebe’s furniture store, Holley, Mason, Mark’s & Co.’s hardware store, Weber’s stationery store, Grand Central Hotel, King’s Restaurant, McFadden’s dwelling, Bulger’s saloon, Hooley’s cigar store, Flaig’s jewelry store, Norman’s telephone office, and a store known as the White House. There was little or no insurance.

Inter Ocean, Chicago, IL 6 Jan 1890

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Transcribed by June. Thanks June!