Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-12
RURNING OF BARNUM,s MUSEUM.

At IL 30 o clock, Broadway was startled by the
cry of 'Fire' and flames were seen issuing from
the South window on the third floor Of No. $50
Broadway Instantly, the shout was raised, BAR
NUNS Museum is on frer' A horrible chorus
came from the first floor, on which the lions, IT,
gers, hyenas, leopards, camels and zebras were
known to be located. 1t wasa terrible sound hun
dreds of beasts of every description each in its own
peculiar manner, giving vent to feelings OF mortal
agony and fear. A shudder ran through the slim,
crowd in the streets as these sounds swelled and
sweled, until they mingled in a roar that seemed
as though each of the beasts were about to burst
the bars of his cage and leap into the street. No
thing of the kind followed Immediately, however,
and in few minutes the roars died away, and only
a few muttered growls and whines were audible
They had either been suffocated or dozed and
frightened into stupor. All this time, the heavy
plate glass windows on the first floor remained in
tact, thus hiding the beasts from view and adding
to the mystery Of the scene.
At l245 o'clock, one stream of water would
have saved the entire building, but that one steam
er was not at hand. A few minutes before the fire
was discovered, an alarm had been sounded for the
corner Of Spring and Renwick streets, and the en-
gnes of the district were proceeding to that spot
when the bell struck for Barnum's Museum. It
was some minutes before they could be turned
from that to the new call, and when they were
the streets were so filled with snow that the horses
could proceed but at a moderate pace, and were
frequently stalled into immobility. Thus it hap
pened that it was after l o'clock before an engine
was brought to bear upon the burning pile.
By this time, it became certain that scme of the
animals and birds were still alive, and policemen
and the employees of the museum, who were still
on the ground, yentured to their rescue At the
Broadway entrance, leopard, a kangaroo, two
pelicans and silver pheasant were brought out and
housed in the cellar of Taylor's Restaurant At
the Mercer street stage entrance, giraffe, ZEBRA
two camels, several Japanese hogs, camei-leop-
ard, and various small birds, were saved from
death.
In addition to the live animals, quantity of
small articles, such as pictures and stuffed Birds
stuffed horse, and valuable electrical apparatus,
were saved. Every human being in the building,
so far as is known, made an easy exit from the
premises. The flames still swelled in volume and
intensity, and at l.30 o'clock they envaloped the
entire upper stories of Nos. 539 and $40, from
Broadway to Mercer streets. The theatre occupy
ing the rear portion OF the building, was so much
tinder to the conhagration, and threw masses of
flaming cnders into the surrounding streets, like
lava from volcano Such of these cinders rs fell
on the adjoining roofs met speedy extinction in
the deep snow or the destruction might have been
more widespread even than it is.
Toward this time sensation came. While the
flames were at the height, tongue of fire leaped
down into the first story. Then it was found that
the beasts ENGAGED there had been dormant only.
Lions, tigers, bears and leopards, instantly at the
sight of the flames, burst at once into demoniac
roar, and beat themselves against the bars of their
cages One full-grown tiger burst his prison bars,
and, with one wild leap through tho window,
reached the street. The crowd rushed away in
hot haste, while the dazed beast looked around
him in stupid wonder, an instant, and then started
down Broadway A stream of water turned on
him brought him to bay, and policeman stepped
up and with three shot! despatched him. Inside
over to the foor and was rolling it over and over
in mortal agony.
At2,lO the fire was under control. Nos 537,
5s9 and 54l, were total ruin, with all their con-
tents The precise figures it is impossible to state
Neao York Times, March 8.