Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
Isabella County Enterprise
July 15, 1887

              FIRE AT HURLEY, WIS.
              
              Most of the Business Part Burned -
                A Number of Lives Lost.
                
              Loss Half a Million.
              
              Fire broke out on the stage of the Alcazar
            theatre in Hurley, Wis., on the night of the
            9th inst. and in less than an hour the entire
            business portion of the town was in ruins.
              The Alcazar was a variety theatre situated
            in the heart of town. It was chiefly frequented
            by miners and was one of the resorts of unsavory
            repute associated with the notorious dance-
            houses of the mining regions. The building was
            of frame and before they could escape seventeen
            people were burned to death. Seven bodies in
            the building are yet unidentified and ten have
            been recognized. The scene was one of the wild-
            est terror.
              Before the fire could be controlled seven
            blocks comprising eighty buildings were con-
            sumed. The loss will be about $500,000, and
            the insurance will be very light because
            Hurley has had two disastrous fires within
            a few months, and insurance companies have
            been scaling down premiums, and in many in-
            stances cancelling them entirely.
              How the inmates of the theatre struggled
            to flee will never be known, as none of them
            except SADIE WELLS and MABEL POWERS were ever
            seen again. The former appeared at a second
            story window and called piteously upon the
            crowd outside to save her. Before a hand
            could be raised the flames reached her and
            communicated to her clothing. She made a
            frantic effort to jump through the window,
            then with a piercing shriek fell into the
            furnace below.
              MABEL POWERS had reached a third story
            window. She jumped to the ground and was
            so badly injured that her recovery is
            doubtful.
            
===========================================================================