Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1858-10-14
From the Courier and Enquirer.
NEW YORK CRYSTAL PALACE
BURNED.

7ro housond Persons Fled for their
lives-LOss over $1,000. .OO0-Ssp-
posed Origin Of tie Fre-Aeeount Of
the Property Destroyed-Entries from
the West-No Lives Lost--tks Confa-
grafton.
The Crystal Palace situated on Reser-
voir Square, 9Th Avenue and 49d street,
in which the Fair of the American In
stitute was being held, was destroyed
by fire shortly after FIVE O'Clock on
Tuesday evening. The fire originated
in room in the north nave used for
storage of some articles left in the Pal
ace since the Industrial Exhibition Of
1851. and the alarm was scarcely SCUM
ded throughout the building before the
flames began to spread in all directions.
The galleries being hung with goods,
the FIRE was almost tinstsntaneously COM
municated to the different sections of the
Palace, and the spectators and exhibi-
tors, about 2 900 in number, had scarce
ly time to save themselves. The scene
which followed was most fearful; the
greatest CONSERVATION prevailed, all
rushing for the doors, except some Of
the exhibitors, who made an effort to
save their goods. The rush and press
at the doors was for time quite suf-
locating, but fortunately the Palace was
well planned for means of egress, and
the people soon found themselves out
side.
The floors Of the building being Of
Georgia pine. burned like as much tin
der, and soon deprived the grand struc-
ture of much Of its support. Many Of
the exhibitors clung to their valuable
goods to the last moment possible. but
very few managed TO save anything.
Some came out with their clothes on FIRE,
and narrowly escaped suffocation. 1t
was the general impression for some
time that large amber Of persons had
been shut off by the flames, those COM
ing out last reporting several left be-
hind. The most painful apprehensions
were entertained. and at least thirty
persons were thought to be lost in the
flames, but fortunately such was not
the case. Those supposed to be in the
building at the time, had escaped out
Of opposite doors to those who had re-
ported them lost.
In Is minutes after the discovery OF
the fire, the dome fell in, and in FIVE or
ten minutes more. the magnificent struc-
ture. for seven years one Of the princi-
pal ornaments of the city. was in heap
Of ruins. Fragments of the walls and
portions of the iron frame remained.
The contents continued to burn and
shoulder up to late hour.
The fremen were early at the premi-
ses, bat could do nothing to stop the
progress of the flames. The dome was
ready to fall in when they got to work,
and then efforts were found necessary
to prevent the fire from communicating
to buildings on the streets adjoining.
At a late hour the painful impression
of persons having been lost by the catas-
trophe was chiefly removed. No one
was known to be missing, and it was
believed that no lives were lost.
HISTORY OF THE PALACE.
The loss viii fall heavily upon the
Exhibitors. The Institute loses its
steam boilers and valuable shafting and
fixtures. which cost over $4,000. The
building was erected in 1853, by the
Association for the Exhibitors of the
Industry of all nations. The whole
quantity Of iron employed in the con-
struction amounted to 1900 tons of
which three hundred was wrought and
fifteen hundred tons Of cast iron. The
quantity of glass was about $4,000
panes, and of wood, 10000 feet.
The principal dimensions were-From
principal floor to gallery floor. "a feet;
10 top of third tier of girdurs. SO feet
10 inches; to ridge OF nave, 81 feet a
inches; to top of bed. plate, SO feet II
inches; to top of upper ring of dome,
1873 feet 6 inches; from Sixth Avenue
curbstone to top of lantern, ISL feet; to
top OF towers, 769 feet. Total area of
gallery, floor and 949, ,69l feet, or 81
acres.
Cost of construction, about 1888, 708I
Cost of fitting, furnishing, and
decorations l0l,172
Total 1854, $50
The original stockholders lost all
they invested. and the Palace for the
last three or four years has been in the
hands of receiver, for the benefit OF
some bondholders. Last June the City
took possession, and placed it in the
hands OF the American Institute. This
was the fourth Exhibition held in the
Palace under the auspices Of the Ameri-
can Institute.
PARTIAL REcAPITULATIoN OF THE LOSSES. !
Losses on stoves, ranges, DC. $4,000
Agricultural Implements 10000
Pianos 10000 |
Jewelry $4,000
Steam and Caloric Engines $4,000
Sewing Machines 5000
Pictures 10000
Furniture, &C., 10000
Clothing $4,000
Institute Property $4,000
Total sI57, 900
Among the heaviest losses by the
are I r ChickerinO ~