The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-25
NEW YORK.
BURNING OF BARNUM'S MU-
scum.
Particulars of the Fire.

NEW York, Dec. 24.-The fire at Barnum's
circus commenced about four o'clock, and in
half an hour the entire building, through con-
structed of iron, was in ruins The flames
quickly spread to the building on either side of
Grace Chapel, on the easterly side, which was
burned to the ground, and the Lawrence man
sion on the westerly side was seriously damag
ed. The fire ran through the block to 18th
street, destroying the carriage factories of
Miner & Stevens and f. Grotes. The loss will
amount to fully half million of dollars. The
details of the fire are as follows:
The fire was first observed by policeman at
4 90 this morning, bursting through the roof of
Barnum's circus, Immediately over where the
giraffes were kept, and instantly after the ami
mails and birds began bowling and screachng in
a terrible manner. Three alarms were sent out
but the flames spread with such lghtning-like
rapdity that almost before the firemen could
get water, Barnums circus a thing of the
past Some of the firemen who were first on
the ground state that the roars of the animals
Were frightful to listen to during the short time
that they listened, but they were speedily put
out of misery by the rapidty with which the
tinder-like structure in which thoy were Gagged
was destroyed The only animals saved were
lwo elephants and a camel. As these beasts
were led out by the keepers a very large space
was given them by the french, policemen and
citizens. They were conveyed to place of
safety. The animals were very docile and
tractable
The front of the building was two stories in
height and composed nearly altogether of cor
rugated iron and wood, which with that portion
of the building used as a circus, was totally de-
stroyed, the whole building burning as finder
box. Nothing could be done to save any more
of the animals, and the firemen state that they
would sooner risk falling walls any time than
enter that burning don Of bessots
Those in the vicinity were unable to stand
within hundred feet Of the burning building,
the heat was SO intense, which is verified by
the fact that the windows of the Academy Of
Music were cracked by the heat the doors bis
tered, and the bill-boardS in front of the Acad-
envy burned.
The fire next extended to the church adioin-
ing, known as Grace Chapel, or Church of the
Redemption, and although the firemen used
their utmost endeavors to save the building,
they were unavailing, as it shared almost the
same fate as the circus. Only the front walls
were left standing. The fire next spread to the
| mansion of Mrs. Lawrence, consuming it, then
to an iron-front building occupied by f. Grote,
ivory dealer, which with rear building occu-
pied by the same was destroyed. 1t thence
spread to Miner & Stevens carriage factory on
Thirteenth Stree, the rear portion of which
was burned, with $4,000 worth of carriages.
Curley's carriage factory adjoining was also
slightly damaged.
Barnum's loss is varously estimated at from
| S2OO,000 to 100000, but Barnum is not in
| town; loss to the Lawrence estate $4,000, in
| sured; Grote's loss 100000, insured for
Sl20000; Reed & Co., varnish dealers, lost all
ers in fringes lost all their stock.
Thousands of people visited the ruins during
| the day, and large body of police were on duty
| to keep the firemen from being mpeded in their
| duty.
| 1t is reported that Barnums insurance on
animals is $25000 the two elephants and camel
| saved covering one-half OF that.
The fire in 14th street originated in the boiler
| room of Barnum's Menagere. The CRATES
cage was opened but the animals were too
| friUhtpnpd tO and all fnIIr npriSl,ad
| They were valued at $4,000 Barnum's agents
| estimates his loss at 100000 All the peform-
| ers lost their wardrobes, many being very valua
| BILE. About $50 people were thrown out of en-
| ployment by the burning of Barnum's show
| 1t appears that Barnums insurance on the
| building and contents is in the neighborhood of
| $4,000. In his report for November, Fire Mar
shall McSpedon called attention to the unsafe
| condition of Barnums Museum and the danger
of the surrounding property from it.
A Ring Indicimept Quashed.
In the case of Hugh Smith, jointly indicted
| with Peter +. Sweeney, Tweed and others, an
| application was made some weeks ago to quash
| the indictment principally on the ground that
| the extended term of Judge Bedford's grand
| jury was illegal.
All the banks, brokers' bond gold room and
all public institutions closed at three o'clock to-
day until Thursday.
Linck's box factory and Funk's piano facto-
ry on 18th street, were burned last night Loss
$4,000; insured Bankers elev ator'in Brook
Ign. was burned last night Loss $4,000
Castgrove's grocery ard dwelling on 9th Ave-
nue. were burned this morning. Loss $4,000.
There was fire in the large building on
| Duane street to-day, which caused loss OF
| $4,000.
Several small fires have also occurred in diff
| ferent parts Of the city to-day
| A building in Duane street was partially
burned to-day, which caused damage to Sper-
ling's cloth ware house of $4,000; insured.
The Palisade Hotel near Englewoo n. j.,
was burned this morning 1t was the largest
one in the vicinity
Thos. Farrell, keeper in the Wards Island
Lunatc Asylum, who was held on two indct-
ments for homicide of patients under his charge
was suffered TO go on his ownsrecognizance, the
principal witness against him having died.
The Irish-Anderson poisoning case went to
the jury this afternoon. A disagreement is ex-
pected.
The entire block on the west side of Centre
street, between Leonard and Worth, was burn
ed this evening" The flames broke out neal
the boiler in the basement of the building ST.
80 and IS Centre street. and speedily commune
Gated with the upper floors, whence they spread
to the adjoining buildings 81, 80 and 81, also
20 and Y Centre street. 100 and 1872 Leonard
street In 81, SO and IS the following parties
are losers: New York Newspaper Union, Aiken
& Cremer, Milwaukee, Dun, Barlow & CO.
| printing Office, Anderson, Archer u 20, D00k-
bindery; in 81 James Gallagher dealer id brass
goods: in SO and 81 wore tie law offices oil
Howe & Hammell, Howe s. Shorter and Ed
ward Price, and the liquor store of George
Middleton; No. 70 was occupied by e. B. Cum
minis, paint shop and dwelling; and II
$50 and 132 Leonard street were occupied by
numerous families, and the first floor as groce
ries. Two girls employed in The building wher'
the fire commenced were seriously injured, alsC
two men, one of whom, Benjamin Ballou
| probably fatally. There is rumor that Iii
girls persisted in the flames, but the repor
needs confirmation. Total loss estimated a
$500 600.
Thirty-eight young women employed in tn,
upper stories of 81 83 and IS Centre street flee
down the stair case and by the fire escap
when the alarm was given. Two fell severa
feet from the ground and were severely injur
!, ed. rumor was spread that several were un
able to escape and were burned to death, but j
is not authenticated. The building was a mer
shell and filled with infiamabe matter. Tn
flames burst from every window, threatenin
the office Cf the New York Clipper, opposite
and other buildings. James Pike, printer
d residing at 43 Franklin street, was struck O
s the head by a falling brick, fracturng his skull
He will probably die No. 1872 Leonard street
a tenement, was damaged $4,000. Total los
l $3J0,00