The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-07-10

OALA IlhE-o hE4 IL
sTRUcrIoN OF PRopERTYLONE MAN
BURNED To DEATH-OTHERs IN
JURED.-The most extensive and dis
astrous fires ever known in Evans
vile, occurred yesterday afternoon
about q o'clock. The fire broke out
in the extensive furniture factory, of
BIoomer & Hoenig,y near the corner
of Market and John Streets. just
how the fire originated, we were
unable to ascertain amid the
confusion and CONSERVATION that
prevailed. The operatives had
barely time to escape with their
lives, and one unfortunate individual
persisted in the flames. Before the
alarm could be sounded, the whole
building, which was of wood, was in
flames, flashing as if fed by powder or
oil, and before the engine could reach
the scene, though out with unpre-
cedented celebrity, the large chair fac
tory of Mr.. Louis Damn, on the cor
ner of John4and Market Streets, to-
gether with the extensive undergrad
attached to the furniture factory, and
two dwelling houses adjoining ON the
same side, and four dwellings on the
opposite side of Market, were enyel-
oped in a sheet of fire. The lumber,
which was all seasoned and piled
loosely, was a perfect ocean of fame,
emitting such an intense heat that it
was impossible to- approachnwithin
any reasonable distaneelof it.
40 The fireman made extraordinary eff
forts, aud succeeded in aconfining the
flames to the buildings above desig-
mated, though many other buildings,
many of them quite remote, were
frequently on FIRE, but were saved by
the active exertioDs of citizens, or the
temporary transfer of the large
streams poured through the several
hose. The three steam engines did
most effective work, though the fire.
men were frequently obliged to turn
their n~ozzles upon the vast piles of
lumber whose intense heat blistered
them as they worked. In an incredi-
blyshort time the whole space pre-
sented a sea Of fire, the flames
shooting high in the air and
the. sparks and cinders being borne
by the stiff gale that blew far over the
surrounding buildings. Mr.. Carpen-
ter's fine residence was several times
ca fire, and several houses also on
Leet Street, and for a time it appear
ed as if that entire portion of the city
would be wrapped in one universal
conhagration. But the untiring en-
ergy of the fremen prevented. and the
flames were gradually suppressed.
The sufferers are Louis Damn,
Bloomer & Henig, Fletcher, DIR.
Brueler, John Frelich, Z. Q. Smith,
Jacob Frelich and another man
whose name we did not learn. Ii
was impossible, amid the excitement,
to ascertain the probable loss or what
insurance was on the property de-
stroyed. = q 5.
The most calamitous incident of the
occasion was the loss of human life
it involved. Michael Magennis, an
invalid but an industrious.
mechanic, was working In
the third story of the furniture
factory with his little son, a lad of II
or ID years. When the alarm was
given they rushed to the door and
opened it, when the flames dashed
into the room. The boy, by some
means not realized by himself, man
aged to escape, but the father was
enveloped, and persisted miserably in
the flames. His remains, horribly
crisped and roasted, were recovered
before the flames, were nigh extln-
guished, and presented the most hide
Gus sight we ever beheld.
The boy was badly burned about
the hands and head, but manifested
a heroism that won great admiration.
The family is poor, and their terrible
calamity will commend them to the
kind hearted of Evansville. 9@
Another man, John Gerdis, was
also somewhat singed before he could
escape. sA14+ -
The hose reel of Engine No. 2 was
driven as far as the driver thought