The Longview Daily News, March 30, 1934:

Longview Hotel Fire:   Herman YATES died of heart attack. Yates was born in Longview June 25, 1885 and lived here all his life. His mother was Emma Mauthe, sister of W.D. Northcutt. Survivors include step-mother Mrs. J.W. Yates; 2 half sisters – Mrs. V.R. Hurst and Mrs. Nat Allen (of Bryan), and two aunts, Misses Maggie and Emma Yates of Henderson.

The fire itself claimed two lives and there were over 20 injuries.