The Phoenix of the Pacific Northwest

The Great Fire, which devastated Seattle four days ago, has resulted in a ruin which has reduced a city which had thrived in both commerce and growth to nothing but a mass of smoking embers. The practical minds now turn to the effect of the calamity upon Seattle and also upon neighboring towns. No one who knows of the history of Seattle or the character of its citizens can doubt what they will do. The city will speedily be rebuilt and in place of ruins, stone and brick will appear. In rebuilding, a plan will be followed, and the Seattle of the future will be much different than the Seattle of the past. The city cannot be built up in a day, nor in a season. The rebuilding will mean a market for a great quantity of lumber, brick, stone, etc. Thousands of laborers and mechanics will be employed. The fire should also serve as a warning to cities built of wood and without fire protection. It is to be hoped that this catastrophe will serve to stimulate the commendable efforts which have been in progress with a view to fire protection. Seattle should act at once in the organization of a fire department, and anything that can be done to hasten the time when our city shall have a good water supply should not be neglected.