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Show Demon Fire Burns Early Landmark i One of Gunnison's oldest land-l land-l marks, formerly known as the Rob-! Rob-! bins hotel, located on Main street and in the heart of the business district, was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The fire was discovered shortly after 3 o'clock and a general alarm was given which aroused the populace. Much excitement prevailed j due to the fact that the fire was raging rag-ing in the very center of the business district and threatened the entire west side of the main street. Fortunately, For-tunately, however, there was no wind and the organized band of volunteer fire fighters had little difficulty in confining con-fining the blaze to the burning building. build-ing. The building was only recently purchased by S. M. Duggins, and the loss in conservatively placed at about $3,000. The loss is covered by insurance. in-surance. The exact origin of the fire is unknown un-known but it is suspected that a carelessly care-lessly thrown cigaret started the blaze. It is claimed that one of the rooms on the upper floor furnished an obscure place for a quiet game of poker for some of the younger boys and the fire may have started in this particular room, as a light was seen earlier in the evening. Early arrivals ar-rivals at the fire also stated that two young girls were seen near the fire. The matter is to be investigated to determine, if possible, if the fire was started through carelessness or by some incendiary. The Geo. Halverson home, located at East First South street, was burned some two months ago under similar circumstances. When the fire was first discovered, it is ealimed, it was raging heaviest near the roof of the building, and the flying sparks threatened the buildings close by. The office of Dennis Beure-gard, Beure-gard, the offices of the Telhiride Power company and the Star Market were in imminent danger, as all were within close range of the blaze. The firemen were well organized and efforts were primarily concentrated on saving these buildings. The building build-ing has been unoccupied for several months and only a small amount of bedsteads were destroyed. The Robbins hotel was erected about 1874 by Joseph A. Young, eldest son of Brigham Young. It was originally or-iginally built of adobes and later the adobes were covered with lumber Owing to the fact that the walls of the building were of the adobes saved a big conflagration, as it was possible to confine the fire pretty well to the interior of the structure. Many notables had registered at the hotel in the early days and for many years it was South Sanpete's famous hostelry. It was famous for the cuisine furnished and all the early day theatrical troupes registered at the Robbins hotel. |