Cheyenne assesses history lost in fire

[TransitJohn]

By The Associated Press Thursday, December 30, 2004




CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- Cheyenne lost not just a row of buildings but an integral part of its past when a fire burned a downtown block for more than 20 hours.

The Commercial Block, as it is known, sits on West Lincolnway facing other famous attractions such as the Atlas Theatre and the Wrangler Western shop. Many of the buildings comprising the block were gutted.

One building contained the room where notorious stock detective Tom Horn allegedly gave a confession to a murder that led to his hanging in 1903.

"The history of that block goes back to the very, very early days of Cheyenne," local historian Chip Carlson said.

The fire, which broke out Monday around 10:30 p.m., was controlled by 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and was out by 8 p.m. No one was injured.

The Fire Department was coordinating efforts Wednesday with Xcel-Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power to repair power lines and restore electicity so the two dozen or so residents can return to the Idelman Hotel, which was evacuated shortly after the fire broke out, and another hotel.

Fire Investigator Mike Christmann estimated the probe into the cause of the blaze could take from two days to a week.

"It depends how quickly we can get heavy equipment in there," he said.

Snow showers in the forecast might hinder efforts.

snip

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/12/30/news/5351eeabfe44684587256f79007a83f9.txt

[MnFats]

1. Interesting. I have a letter that my great-grandfather wrote...

...from Cheyenne to his wife in Chicago in 1876. He worked for the Union Pacific and had to testify in some land dispute.
He describes going out in the evening and discovering "debauchery and vice unrestrained."
Was there a hotel or a former hotel lost in the fire? he might have stayed there....