. VALDEZ HAS BIG FIRE
OVER $750,000 LOSS
(SPECIAL TO THE CORDOVA DAILY TIMES)
VALDEZ, Alaska, July 15.—The most impor-|
tant section of this town was totally destroyed by a
terrific fire which commenced at 4 o’clock this morn
► ing.. Practically the entire business section of the
city has been destroyed. The loss is estimated at
three quarters of a million, hut partially covered by
insurance.
Among the business houses which have been
completely burned up are those of S. Blum & Co.,
The First Bank of Valdez, Wm. Blackwell, Tony£
Saloon, Empress Theater, Treat Building, Valdez
Dock Company Building, Panama Hotel, Valdez
Daily Prospector, The Alaska Road Commission
Building, The Post-Office, the telephone exchange,
the Crawford Mills, Copper River Lumber Co., the
Dieringer barns, home of J. C. Martine, the office of
the Dock Co., the government warehouses and other
buildings in the section from McKinley Street down
to the waterfront. Both sides of Reservation Ave.,
the main street leading from the dock were wiped
out. The loss of the Road Commission building will
be a severe one as all the records of the commission
including the maps and notes covering 10 years’
work have been totally destroyed.
Dynamite was employed in vain to stop the
flames, which gained great headway, and which were
fed by the wooden buildings dryed out thoroughly
by the recent prolonged dry spell. The officers in
charge of Fort Liscum dispatched the garrison to
Valdez to aid in fighting the flames and the whole
population of the town worked heroically to save
- what was possible. Fortunately no lives were lost.
The fire department announced at 9 this morning
that the fire was under control although great clouds
of smoke were still pouring from the ruins, and the
fire was burning briskly in several places.. The fire
was spectacular in the extreme, and at one time
threatened to destroy the city. The width of McKin
ley Street, and the fact that what wind there was.
blew from the direction of the glacier and towards
the waterfront, was all that saved the remainder of
the town from burning.
When the news reached Cordova this morning,
Major Slater immediately dispatched a telegram
addressed to the Mayor of Valdez offering to send
over any assistance that was necessary on the Evans,
which is dne today.
VALDEZ, July 15.—The big fire which swept
through the town early this morning started in the
Frye Bruhn building which has been undergoing
repairs. .A dry strong wind was blowing at the time
and the flames spread rapidly despite the desperate
efforts of the fire fighters to get control "Only two
streams of water were available and they proved to
be entirely inadequate to cope with the situation.
There has been no rain in Valdez for two
weeks, and the sun has been shining folly twenty
hours a day drying up everything in the town. When
it was seen that the two streams of water would not
check the flames, dynamite was used in an effort to
prevent them spreading, but by that time the fire had
reached such proportions that nothing could stop
it, and it just went clear through to the waterfront.
The printing establishment of the Prospector
Publishing Co., was entirely destroyed, although
enough type was saved to enable the editors to issue
their paper today, printed on wrapping paper, and
run off on a job press. Mrs. Blackwell, her sister
and niece, who lived over the Southern, just man
aged to avoid losing their lives by escaping from the
building in their night dresses, but were immediately
taken care of by friends. Nothing was saved in the
Blackwell home, the building and everything in it
being totally destroyed.
Captain and Mrs. Glen Edgerton of the Road
Commission suffered the same as the Blackwells, and
both are garmented today in the kindly offerings of
their friends. All of the personal belongings of the
Edgertons were lost. The same thing happened to
all the guests in the Panama Hotel. The owner,
Logan Archibald, was a heavy loser as a result of
the fire. Jfie Plant, the jeweler, who had just
returned from the outside on the Alameda with a
large stock of jewelry lost $2,000, and did not succeed
in saving any of his stock. Alice Coles broke her
leg in assisting to remove mail from the postoffice.
All the mail was successfully removed to a place of
safety before the building burned. The troops from
Fort Liscum are still here, and will remain until
order has been fully restored, patrolling the burned
district, and protecting whatever property may be
saved from the fire.
The ruins of the fire present a blackened blotch
upon Valdez extending from the Cliff House to the
Valdez Mercantile Company building, and from
McKinley Street clear down to the beach. Every
thing in between has been destroyed, and no one
is at present allowed within the burned district by
the soldiers without a permit. A score of launches
which were on the beach were victims of the flames,
as the tide was low at the time, and it was impossible
to remove them to a place of safety. Judge Bunnell
of the Second Division was a heavy sufferer from
the fire, as several buildings owned by him were in
the path of the flames. His loss is estimated at
$30,000.
Sam Blum, the merchant of Cordova and Valdez
received' a wire this morning apprising him of the
destruction of his store in Valdez, the biggest one in
i the city by fire. Mr. Blum left on the Evans to look
over the damage done, and before going expressed
himself by stating that the fire was a terrible
calamity, but that as far as his business was con
cerned he was fully protected by insurance.
Mayor Slater received the following telegram
from Valdez in answer to his message offering our
sister city any aid desired from us, towit: “Mayor,
Cordova: Everything under conrtol. Thanks.
WOOD, Acting Mayor.”
Dr. W. H. Chase, of Cordova, who is now in
Valdez, sent a message to the Times this afternoon
telling of the fire and stating that it was now out.
Among the buildings mentioned by Dr. Chase as
being destroyed, the only one not included in the
above list is that of Clias. Day. The doctor does
not state whether or not this means the Seattle
Hotel. The wharf would have been destroyed if
dynamite had not been used to prevent the spread of
the flames.
LONDON, July 15.—The French war office has
issued an official communique belittling the reports
from Berlin claiming important successes for the
German arms in the Argonne Forest. The French
assert that the contrary is true and that it is their
troops who are winning ground. From the news
received here from Petrograd and Berlin, and
* various places along the eastern battle front, the
British military observers are of the opinion that all
signs are pointing to a new attack upon "Warsaw.
This new sortie will he directed from the frontier
of East Prussia, and will perhaps drive down upon
Warsaw from the north. A simultaneous movement
will he commenced from the south of Warsaw, hut
it is felt that the real attack will he from the north.
It is agreed that the Russians have enough soldiers
along this front to put up a stubborn resistance, and
that the chances of success for the Teutons are
slim. Despite the fact that the attack will he from
East Prussia, it is more than likely that in order to
strengthen their forces there the Germans have been
[ compelled to weaken their line in southern Poland,
and therefore, the Russians will inaugurate a counter
offensive at this point. This counter offensive will
probably he made along the River Bug, where the
Austrians recentlv suffered reverses.
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 15.—Diplomatic
representations have been received by the State
Department from Austria-Hungary strongly protest
ing against the heavy shipments of munitions of war
from this country to the allies. The protest states
that the shipments have become so great as to seri
ously endanger the neutrality of the Fnited States.
The matter has been under consideration by the
State Department since July 1, aud it has about been
decided that a reply is not necessary. Austria con
tends that the export of war material as a proceed
t ing of the present war is not consonant with a proper
definition of neutrality.
The Austrian note adds as a suggestion to the
United States that it would be quite sufficient to
advise the enemies of Austria and Germany that
the United States would prohibit the shipment of
foodstuffs and war materials to them unless they
stopped interfering with the trade of the LTiited
States and neutral countries.
BERLIN, July 15.—The German official state
ment issued this morning states that Przasnysz, a
town in Russian Poland, 50 miles north of Warsaw,
has been captured. The Germans also captured the
village t)f Konsya, south of Kolno, and stormed the
heights of Olszauka, northeast of Suwalki. The
Germans are preparing to resume the offensive
i agfJinst Warsaw on a large scale.
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 15.—In a new note
'received today Germany officially admits that the
*ttack upon the Nebraskan was a mistake. It also
\dmits that the American vessel was torpedoed by
a German submarine. The note expresses regret
for the mishap and says also that Germany is ready
to make reparation. It declares that the attack was
not meant for the American flag, but was nothing
more than an unfortunate accident, which Germany
stands ready to make amends for.
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 15.—As far as this
government is concerned the German note received
today in regard to the attack on the Nebraskan
closes the incident, except for the payment of
damages. The note asserts that the Nebraskan flew
no flag, and that the markings on the vessel were
invisible, so that i^was impossible for the submarine
commander to identify the ship. Immediately upon
the hoisting of the American flag, the submarine
stopped firing.
LONDON, July 15.—The war office today offi
cially admitted that the English have sent troops into
Servia, and that a large contingent of Britishers is
now fighting side by side with the Serbians along
the Austrian frontier. The news has been well
received by the public who have been clamoring to
know where the men are gone to that Kitchener has
been sending out of England in such numbers.
LONDON, July 15.—The Norwegian steamer
Ryo has been torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea
by a German submarine. The second officer was
killed when the explosive struck the vessel, but the
remainder of the crew was saved. The Ryo was of
1,100 tons burden.
LONDON, July 15.—One hundred and . fifty
thousand Welsh miners have gone on strike, shutting
down all the coal mines in the Welsh fields. The coal
fields affected are essential to the carrying on of the
war by Great Britain as they supply all the steaming
coal used by the British navy. The government had
[issued a proclamation two days ago placing the coal
fields and the miners under the provisions of the
Munitions act. This was done to forestall the action
taken today by the men, and in the belief that it
would prevent the strike, as the act imposes heavy
penalties on all violators, and the men who went on
strike today are criminals under the law. The strike
of the miners is a defiant answer to the government's
proclamation, and they have taken the step to
enforce what they consider their rights, and with
full knowledge of the consequences of their act.
Whether the government will proceed to arrest and
prosecute the men under the law is a question and
will prseent a serious problem for the coalition
cabinet to determine. Upon a wise decision of the
question will depend the safety of the empire and
the presrvation of industrial peace at a time when
the resources of the country are most in demand.
The men demand that they he paid higher wages
so that there may be some equitable distribution of
the increased profits the mine owners are making
out of the war, and absolutely refuse to submit their
demands to arbitration.
CARDIFF, July 15.—At a conference of the
striking miners held here today it was decided by a
large majority to reject the recommendations made
by the executive council of the miners’ union that
the men resume work. The government has taken
over all reserve supplies of coal.
HOXG KOXG, July 15.—Tremendous floods are
devastating the Chinese provinces of Kwangtung,
Kiangsi and Kwang si. The desolation is terrible to
contemplate and the loss of life is almost beyond
belief. The people in scores of towns have been
driven to seek safety on the hills and’ higher eleva
tions, and have lost all they possessed in the rush
to get away from the advancing waters. The apex
of the floods have not yet been reached and it is
feared that many more lives will be lost. The
ordinary Chinese boats are powerless before the
turbulent streams and steamers of sufficient power
to breast the currents and rescue the marooned
people, cannot be secured.
NEW YOEK, July 16.—Justrice Kendrick, who
presided at the trial of Harry K. Thaw to determine
his sanity, today announced that he would uphold
the decision of the jury, and find that Thaw was
sane. Thaw was released under a bond of $35,000,
as the state has appealed the decision of the court.
Thaw and his mother were exuberantly joyful when
the court announced' that he agreed with the jury,
and they walked out of the court room surrounded
by their friends and receiving the congratulations
of the crowded court room.
XEW YOEK, July 16.—A big crowd greeted
Thaw when he stepped out of the court house a free
man after arranging for his bail. The street in front
of the building was black with people and it was
with difficulty that a passage could be forced
through the mob to the automobile containing
Thaw’s mother. Thaw announced that it was his
intention to return at once to Pittsburg, and remain
at his mother’s home until the appeal taken by the
state has been decided. Thaw is a changed man
since the jury decided he was sane, and he acknowl
edged the cheers of the crowd with even* appear
ance of pleasure.
XEW YOEK, July 16.—The $35,000 bail set by
Justice Hendrick for Thaw’s release pending the
decision of the appeal, was delivered to the Clerk of
Court in cash. ThaAv immediately left this city as
soon as he was freed, and as his motor car rolled
down through the streets of Xew York he was
greeted with cheers everytime he was recognized by
the people on the streets. It is Thaw’s attention to
avoid as much of this notoriety as possible, and a
big crowd which had gathered at the Pennsylvania
station to see him start home, were disappointed
as he changed his plans at the last minute and
determined to motor to Philadelphia, and get away
from all possibility of annoyance from crowds of
curious sight seers, who seem to look upon Thaw as
some sort of a free show. Prom Philadelphia Thaw
will go by train to Pittsburg.
CHAMBER READY
TO ENTERTAIN
The Chamber of Commerce held a
special meeting Wednesday to consider
what should be done to greet Governor
Strong when he arrives from the
westward on the Alameda. The matter
was finally decided by the appoint
ment of a committee, whose duty it
would be to make whatever arrange
ments would best suggest themselves
when it was learned how long a visit
the governor would make to this sec
tion. The governor has often ex
pressed a wish to travel over the
railroad to Kenneeott and it may be
that he is contemplating doing so this
time.
Accordingly the committee was in
structed to send a wire to the gov
ernor at Seward expressing the desire
of Cordova to show courtesies to him,
and requesting information as to his
plans for his visit here. The wire was
sent this morning. Mrs. Strong is
accompanying the governor, and the
committee will arrange for a com
mittee of ladies to entertain Mrs.
Strong if their stay here will allow of
it. The committee selected consists
of Mayor H. A. Slater, chairman; Sam
Blum, Geo. C. Hazelet, E. F. Medley,
A. J. Adams. Dr. W. W. Council, Dr.
W. H. Chase and James Smith. From
information received today it was
learned that the governor, who had
left the Victoria at Seward, had gone
to Anchorage on the Alameda, and was
expected to return on the same boat.
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COPPER RIVER
ENGINEER DIES
TODAY
SEATTLE, July 15—John G. Scurry,
a noted engineer of this city died here
today. The deceased was well known
throughout Alaska having resided in
the territory for 15 years. He was
the locating engineer of the Alaska
Central Railroad, and also tvas in the
service of the Copper River road for
the three years of construction be
tween 1908 and 1911. Mr. Scurry
located the terminal grounds at Cor
dova and made extensive surveys of
Orca Bay for the railroad company.
He also located that portion of the
line running through the Copper River
canyon. Mr. Scurry was 70 years old,
and one of his daughters is married
! to Dr. W. W. Council, now in Cordova.
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MILAN, July 16.—Twenty large
military hospitals, furnished accord
ing to the requirements of modern
medical and surgical science, have
been prepared in Milan for the recep
tion of the wounded. All the hos
pitals are linked up with the railway
station by street car lines for the
conveyance of the wounded, which are
graded at the station according to
their wounds and sicknesses. It Is
estimated that Milan and vicinity has
25,000 beds at its disposal.
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BELGRADE, Serbia, July 16.—Offi
cial figures show that 25 per c^ut of
the Serbian doctors have died in the
past nine months. Most of them were
victims of typhus; only one was killed
in battl^. »
In the war between Serbia and Tur
key in 1912-1913, only two Serbian
doctors lost their lives, out of a total
of 300 employed on war duty.
Of the foreign doctors who have
come to Serbia since last August, 35
have died, all of typhus or typhoid.
The list of dead includes four Ameri
cans, three British, two Belgians, six
Austrians and a number of Greeks.
These figures of course do not include
the considerable number of medical
students, nurses and other Red Cross
workers who have succumbed to the
epedimics.
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