Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-12-30
FIRE THEORIES.
How the Terrible Fires in New York
are Organized Successes.
The New York Fire Philosopher Gives
His Theories in ExtensO.


New YORK, December 29.-Arrived:
Steamship City of New York, from
Liverpool.
Fire-Marshal McSpedon says in re-
gard 70 the burning Of Barnum's mu-
scum and menagerie, that the fire
originated under the floor Immediately
over the boiler, and from the super
heated steam, which in its effect is as
destructive as burning gas or fame,
and where it is allowed TO gain strength
is sure to be productive of terrible re-
suits. He adds that the attention
Of the managers of the circus was tW ice
called to its condition, but that no at
tentiOn was paid TO the warning, and
hence the fire. In relation to the Cen
ter street fire the Fire Marshal says that
the fire originated in the printiHg-Office
of Dun, Barlow & Co., probably from
carelessness. He found that before the
people employed upon the premises
could get from the press-room, in which
the fire originated, all egress was shut off.
The exterior means of escape were most
of life that has occurred
was most unquestionably due to
the negligence and interested parsimony
VI SAAC PlORNA GANAA4OA1AlN0s &AN AANG4
neglect and want of proper considera-
ton for public feeling manifested
by the prOprietors of the building dur
ing the time that has elapsed since the
fire occurred, viii fully illustrate to the
public at large the difficulties 1 have to
contend with as caterer for the safety of
the community. l discovered that i'm
mediately adjoining the only STAIR
case of this building was a
large elevator, that served during
the fire as a fiue to convey the flames to
the floors above. If this trap had been
constructed for the purpose, and fitted at
the foundation with an enormous bel
lows, it could not have more effectualIy
performed its terrible work of destruc-
ton. In this building there was but
one staircase, and I have no other term
to use for it but the "infernal machine"
The elevator was placed close to
it, so that when the flames caught
one the other was attacked, and al
most as quick as lightning all
chance of escape wBs cut of from the
people above. The fire-escapes on the
complicated machinery, meant to be es-
capes, fitted upon the outside of the
building, were simply man-traps, en-
tirely inadequate for their intended pur-
pose and in a most wretched condition.
The burning of the Public School No. 5
in Jersey City is ascribed to the fact that
the pipe or tunnel, which served the
double purpose of heating and ventilat-
ing, was made of wood. 1t seems, as
far back as August, that only two
school-buildings in Jersey City were
pronounced safe, and that the heating
apparatus of the school Just burned was
especially condemned.
The steamer James Adger
arrived here last Saturday with
ten men for the Albany penitentiary.
convicted of committing kuklux out
RACES. Among the prisoners is Rev.
John EzeI, q Baptist clergyman of
South Carolina. Three others confess
to being concerned in fourteen assassin
ations.
Frederick Campbell, who was found in
his room on Friday, dying from pistol
shot wound accidently received, was
son of Jacob Campbell, President of the
Pacific Bank, and held q responsible po-
sitiOn in the banking house of Vermilye
& Co.
Red Tape still keeps the bodies of the
unfortunate victims of the Centre street
fire buried beneath the ruins.
Fire Marshal McSpedon reports forty
five fires for the week, ending Decem-
Der 18th at noOl. The estimated loss is
one hundred and fifteen thousand seven
hundred and sixty dollars. The insur-
ance, one million seven hundred and
eighty thousand two hundred dollars.
Eighteen of the fires were caused by
carelessness.
AS neither the police nor health au-
thorities desired to act on the request of
Coroner Herman to cause a search to be
made for the bodies of the seven persons
lost by the burning Of the Center street
buildings, that official, who was pecun-
iously assisted by several citizens, as
sumed the responsibility. After long
search the body Of a woman was found
in the debris, but as all the flesh had
been burned off, it was beyond recogni-
ton. John Stewart, by means of a clasp
ring found on the body, identified it as
the remains of his sister, Jane Stewart,
who was employed in the building. The
search viii be continued tomorrow.