1899 - Turn of the century, and The Great Fire of 1899 and the Great Fire of 1900

Followers 0

Entry posted by Jillybean86 · April 8, 2009

436 Views

This update is dedicated to the following people:

seemurray02 (Chris Murray) - if it weren't for his humor, this CJ wouldn't be entertaining at all. I'm sorry I have to kill your character.

football_fever (Mike Miller) - besides being awesome in late night MSN sob sessions, It's his birthday today. Happy 1/4 century oldy

aleking (Alex...something) - I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I got the idea for the first few pics in this update. They are for you. Enjoy!

Eden's Prairie, California - 1899

The Panic of 1893 was over by 1897 in most of the country, but thanks to the efforts of wealthy benefactors, Eden's Prairie escaped mostly unharmed by 1895. Now, four years later, the town is booming again.

Wait, what is that? What's with the railroad?

And what is that shadow looming over everything?

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT?

WHA?!!??!?

OH SWEET LORD WHAT IS GOING ON???

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mayor Murray woke up in a hospital bed screaming. For a few years his health was slipping and people worried about his sanity, but now it appeared he'd completely lost it. He was saying something about buildings that could touch the sky that were made completely out of metal and glass, but all the foundries and glass blowers in the state couldn't make that much material.

It was at that point that Michael and Kenneth Miller were put in charge of the town, although they'd been running things for years. They were the ones that orchestrated the town's now explosive growth.

Although the brothers had plans to modernize the town with more durable brick buildings, the constant demand for lumber profited them deeply, and the saw mill operated 24/7 thanks to new electric light bulbs.

Micheal convinced people to build south of the Walsh River, and soon the "southies" had substantial numbers.

Part of the "southie" development was uncomfortably close to Clint Webb's ranch

I can only imagine how that smells...Phew...

Also a new approach to the bridge was made so the horses weren't so burdened to get up a steep hill.

Much more impressive, however, was the new development north of the railroad, mostly organized by Kenneth.

The "northies" as they were called by the old towners, were squeezed between the railroad and the farms.

It was nearly as difficult for this development as the one across the river, because people didn't like crossing those tracks. There was only one crossing (same as the river), plus it was right next to Fort Pegasus and all the trouble that came with being in that area (brothels = trouble...sometimes)

They didn't have to worry about that for long though. It was 1899 and people were ready to party for the new year.

Sammy O'Leary, Pub ownner and distant cousin of Mrs. O'Leary (of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 fame) was finishing up some business in his mother-in-law's barn.

He was in a hurry to get to the New Year's festivities on the riverfront, when he drunkenly tipped over the lantern. In his haste to pick it up, he spilled his bottle of 150 proof O'Leary family whiskey. The hay caught on fire, and he tried to blow out the fire. Unfortunately because of the incredibly potent whiskey, his breath was like a flamethrower. The barn caught on fire, and once it reached the other bottles he had in his wagon, the explosion destroyed the store next door.

The fire quickly spread to neighboring businesses and homes.

The entire block was soon engulfed in flames as firefighters tried desperately to save as much as they could.

Soon they got the upperhand, and the fire was almost out.

As the clock struck midnight, the fire was completely extinguished and a cheer fell over the town celebrating the bravery of the firefighters and the turn of the century. The Great Fire of 1899 was over.

God, however, had other plans. The bars and brothels were a detriment to the otherwise well-behaved and good-natured town, and He decided to do something about it.

BAM!