Rawhide, NV fire, Sept 1908

BIG MINING CAMP SWEPT BY FLAMES

Rawhide Miners Vainly Use Dynamite in Effort to Stop the Fire.

3,000 PERSONS HOMELESS

Loss of $750,000 Caused in Two Hours - Help is Rushed from Other Nevada Cities.

RAWHIDE, Nev., Sept. 4. - Three thousand persons homeless, a score or more injured, and a property loss of over $750,000 are the result of a fire which started at 9 o'clock this morning in Dr. Gardner's office, in the Rawhide Drug Company's building. Fanned by a gale the fire swept rapidly southy and east to Balloon Avenue, and up Rawhide Avenue to within fifty yards of the People's Hospital.

More than a ton and a half of dynamite was used in the demolition of buildings, which in a measure stayed the flames. The volunteer Fire Department and 500 miners worked heroically, but on account of the inflammable construction of the buildings they could do little. At 11 o'clock the business portion of Rawhide was a ruin, the flames being finally checked south of Balloon Avenue.

Among the first buildings to go was Collins's hardware store, which contained two tons of dynamite that exploded with a terrific report, hurling burning planks and boards a great distance, setting fire to numerous buildings simultaneously.

Many persons were injured by flying debris, but none is reported seriously hurt. There is a report that two traveling salesmen perished in a hotel.

A partial list of the heaviest losers follows: First Bank of Rawhide, Bank of Rawhide, Press-Times Building, Mizpah Mercantile Company, Nevada Meat Market, the Northern, Texas Rickard's, E. E. Marks & Co., Nevada Club, Downer Hotel, and Kelly's Dance Hall.

The fire destroyed the hoisting works of the Bluff Mining Company, Grutt Hill properties, and the Grutt business offices, the loss on these amounting to $10,000, which is the extent of damage done the mining properties.

Plans were well under way for a reconstruction of the town before the ashes were cool. It was placed under martial law, and relief measures were immediately taken. A subscription list was started, and in a few minutes over $5,000 was raised and a relief train started from Reno carrying food and bedding.

All the mining towns of the State came quickly to the assistance of the Rawhide sufferers whith cash contributions. San Francisco Mining Exchange at once sent a contribution of $300.

The New York Times, New York, NY 5 Sept 1908
__________________

Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!