New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-25
TIE BARNUMs MUSEUM FIRE.

THE MUSEUM, GRACE CHAPEL, AND A F1VE-sToRY
WAREHOUSE IN RUINs-NEARLY ALL THE
ANNALS BURNED-L0Ss ABOUT SSUO,OVO.
About a. M, yesterday. A. N. Nelson, watch
man in the circus building in Fourteenthst discovered
smoke issuing from trapdoor leading to the boiler
room In the back part Of the basement, He quickly
aroused the who slept in the building but so
rapid was the march of the flames that they could 40
nothing toward extnguishing them and, indeed tney
could do little toward resouing the animals 90 soon was
the building flied with smoke They threw open the
doors opening on Foureenths and two of the perform
ing elephants jeanette and Betsy. and camel walked
ont These were the only animals that escaped the
remaining animals. terrorstrcken by the names sweep
ing toward their cages the heat and the sitting smoke
dashed mady against the iron bars that confined the OF
erouched In tho corners Of their overcome with fear
The performing elephant Pedro, magnificent speci-
men OF his kind who arrived here only last week from
Hamburg was securely fastened by chains on his fore
feet Unsvaiing eforts made TO undo these, and
The keepers were obliged TO leave him TO his fate. His
shrill trumpetings could be heard for considerable
time after the advancing flames had driven away those
who had vainly endeayored to rescue him.
The FIREMES THE GROUND.
Meanwhile the alarm Of fire had boen given to the
F9ro Department and was quickly responded to- Hook
and Ladder Company No the first on the ground.
ina entire interior OF the circus building was even then
mass Of fame, and Foreman Quackenbush, apprehend-
ing that the Academy Of Music and Tammany Hall,
opposite were great danger, and that Grace Chapel
and the establishment of f. Groe Co., on either side
of the burning building would almost Certainly be
directed that second and third alarm should
ha sent ont This was done. Tue nrst alarm bad the
affect OF calling TO the scene Engine Companies MOB D.
IA e. a. and 49, and Hook and Ladder Companies Nos
A. T. and O. The second alarm summoned Engine Com
paniss Nos as, 49, 20, and Hook and Ladder Company
No IL The third alarm called Engine Companies Nos
A. IL a. and Hook and Ladder Company No. IA Chief
EnQ,neer Perey and District Engineers Bates GcqueI
ullivan Shay, Brandon Orr, Nasn, and Erscher were
also present Chief Perey sent for Engine Companies
Noa a a. 81 and 10 and Hook ana Ladder Company No
These we're stationed 70 the best advantage In Ihr
teenth and Fourteenth-sts and in Third and Fourth
uyes and in short time more than twenty pOwerfa
streams we're directed upothe fire,
The framework Of the olfcus building Of wood,
ana the fittings were OF the most innamnabe cbaacter
within ten minutes after the hre was discovered the
flames had spread through the entire building and were
pouring In dense through the roof On the west
side Was nve-story iron front bnding occupied by
r. Grote Co., ivory turner's, and three other nrma An
extension Of this building, OF the same hight wa
directly behind the circus On the sides OF this puong
facing the circus were several Windows through which
the flames poured rendering futile all efforts OF The IRE
stay their progress On the east OF the circus
was Grace Chapel a handsome building, with single
defect large part Of the roof oonssted OF skyhght
Of eOIOred plate glass Borne by the heavy northwest
AiDo pfeFahod' the hemes az IineS AAPpo~ s"0
entire roof the plate glass shivered, and Ia rev
Domens the whole interior OF the church on IRE.
SURROUNDING PROPERTY ENDANGERED.
The heat at this time intense. The paint the
Academy Of Music was biistered, the window-panes
cracked and broke, billboard front OF the Academy
blazing brightly, and 1t seemed 40 though the build
lpg must CO. carrying with II Tsmmany Hall and the
buildings adjoining In the Of the circus the church
and Grotes establishment were tho carriage manufae
Tories Of N. Curey Nos. lOs III, and 49, aud Miner
Btevens, Nos lis to IN East Thirteenthst, all high
buildings, and filed with in1ammsble material.
Foreseeing that the destruction Of the building then
fire inevitable, Chief Engineer Petley turned his
attention the task OF saving the adjoining buildings
Streams Of water turned npon the Fourteenth st.
front Of the Academy Of Music. ami thrown Oh In
clouds OF steam from the heated bricks. Men were
Posted the roof OF the Academy and Tammany Hall
70 zee that hrebrapds lodged there sDawares Lanes
were earned through the buildings In Tbrteenbat and
On the roofs others carried the roofs Of the