Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-17
, BARNUM's MUSEUM BURNED.
Estimated Loss $500, 600.
The Fat Wo,,lan Oeerco1ae- OF
the Gidptess, etc.

in the rear basement of Barnunn & Van
AmburS's Museum and Menagerie, on the
Mercer street side, in which were kept the
animals belonging 70 the menagerie. The
flames spread rapidly, and notwithstanding
the exertions of the firemen, the fire soon ex-
tended into the theatre and menager.e. just
previous to the discovery Of the fire an alarm
was given for fire in Spring street, near
Renwick, and iu consequence of the engines
being at that FIRE they did not get to work as
soon as they otherwise would have done.
The adjoining building, 5S5 Broadway,
vas considerably damaged by water. The
Prescott House, on the corner OF Spring street,
was slightIy damaged from the same cause.
The wind was blowing perfect gale from the
northwest and rendered the efforts of the fire.
men almost fruitless. They stood upon the
roof of $50 with two lines Of hose until the
smoke and heat drove them away, compelling
them to leave their hoes upon the roof.
On the Mercer street side efforts were made
to save the animals in the Museum, but with
little success. The giraffe tumbled DOM near
the doorway, and thus blocked up the egress.
& number Of the other animals were then
rescued, and finally q rope was put around
the giraffe's neck and leg and he was raised
up, but refused to move. AT this time the
flames were bursting through the partition,
and the hind part of the poor animal COM
meuced to burn.
More men got hold of the rope, and he
was pulled into the street. The tiger was
subsequently discovered leaping from base
ment window on the Broadway side, and
scare cnsued, which was terminated by an
intrepid policeman with revolver in hand, who
stationed himself with huge fire ladder
between himself and the animal, and fired
shot after shot until he finally gave the tiger
his quetus At this time the fire had got
under such Roadway that the men had to leave
the building. The heat now became so ln-
tense that the side windows of the Prescott
house caught fire, producing great consterna-
ton among the guests who, intent on saving
their baggage, created great confusion IN the
house.
The Museum property, with the exception
of the few stuffed birds and animals taken
out on Broadway, and the animals rescued on
Mercer street, is totally destroyed. The loss
is estimated, with the improvements made by
Mr. Barnum, at 100000 The buildings
were owned by the Coster estate; loss about
$4,000.
When the fire had been in progress for
more than an hour and the entire interior OF
the building from cellar TO roof was one mass
ofsurging fame, in which it seemed impossible
that any life could exist for a single instant,
a sudden cry of wonder and horror rose from
a group of fremen, who were standing near
the front Of the building drew all eyes to the
spot, when, to the amazcmcnt Of all, some
poor beast, so charred and wasted that it was
impossible to tell whether it was tiger leopard
or bear, was seen family struggling to force
its way ont from the horrible pit Of DEATH
There was moment Of silence and a re-
coiliug of the crowd, as the wretched creature,
with a desperate effort cleared the blazing
pile of combustibles that hemmed it in, and
half sprang, half tumbled to the sidewalk
For an instant il stood staring wildly around
uncertain which way to turn. Then with
the first step to carry itself further away from
the blazing doom it had so fearly escaped,
nature gave way, and it fell strangled and
struggling to the sidewalk. 1t was obvious
mercy to put the poor wretch ont Of its agony,
and a prompt policeman drew his revolver,
burnt, strangled, exhausted as the poor Crea>
ture was, its hold of life was wonderful, and
more than dozen shots were discharged into
its body before it finally ceased to struggle.
STATEMENT OF THE BEAUTIFUL CIRCAssIAN.
I sleep on the third floor of the building;
last night 1 went to bed about IL o'clock; |
went into dose, but was rather restless and
confused idea ofsomething startling going on;
my room fronts Broadway; noise in the
street attracted my attention; sprang to the
window and opened it; a clear volume Of flame
was pouring into the street from the lower
second-story window.
Hastily throwing on wrapper, | called
out to Miss Swan who was greatly agitated.
The beasts in the menagarie began to howl
in a piteous manner. The fire reached the
staircase, and while we were celebrating as
to the feasibility of this means of escape, a
gentleman rushed up the stairs, seized me in
his arms, and quickly bore me to the street.
This was all done within the space Oft min
ute and a half. When l reached the other
side of Broadway, the FIRE was springing up
the window castings of the third tier. / have
lost all my wardrobe, valuable jewelry. and
other articles which can hardly be replaced.
STATEMENT OF MISS ANNA SWAN.
The lions in the menagere were very rest
less after IL o'clock The gray wolf would
howl systematically. and the lions would
howl out half angry. feeble reply. Al
though this was unusual, it was hardly wor-
thy of notice. did not close my eyes how
ever, and soon after midnight heard quick
shout in the street, half drowned in a suIlen
roar of the lioness I heard Zuleima spring
from the bed and raise the window. A fash
of light partly Illuminated the room, and L
heard Zuleima cry fire.
The blaze was even then licking the floor
at the bottom of the stairs. a fireman came
up on a jump, clasped Zuleima in his arms,
and dashed down stairs. l mechanically fol.
lowed. 1 have saved nothing but this old
wrapper which have on. l have lost com
plete wardrobe, pair of valuable diamond
par~rinos n LARGE cluster diamond ring and
n very fine gold watch and chain in all about
So 900 worth. This is the second Ere from
which Zuleima and myself have been saved.
The fat woman was too much overcome
with terror to volunteer any explanation.