Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-25
NEW YORK.
Barnum's Menagerie Burned Again
Only Three Animals Rescued.
A HowIing Pandernonfum.

O'Clock a. m. In half hour the entlre
building, though constructed of iron, was In
ruins. The flames quickly spread to the
buildings on either side. Grace Chapel, on
the easterly side, was burned to the ground,
and the Lawrence mansion, on the westerly
side, was seriously damaged. The fire ran
through the block to 18th street, destroying
the carriage factory of Miner g. Stevei and
that of F. Grote. The loss will amount to
half million dollars. Another account
says the loss viii reach q million dollars.
The only animals saved from the mensgerie
are camel and an elephant. The cause OF
the fire is unknown.
The following are additional particulars Of
the burning Of Barnum's: Wies, police
officer, at 4:16 A. NJ, while on his patrol,
noticed the fire bursting through the roof
Of the circus Immediately over where the
Giraffes we're kept, and Immediately alter
the animals and birds began screetchiDg
and bowling In terrific manner. Alarms
were soon sounded, but the flames spread
with such rapidity that almost before the
firsme1 could get the water on, Barnum's
circus was thing of the past. The fire
men report that the roars OF the ANIMALS
we're frightful during the short time that
they lasted. Two elephants and q camel
were the only animals saved. When these
were led out by their keepers, they were
given large space by the crowd witnessing
thefire, although the animals were very do
Gle, considering the excitement on all sides.
The front building was two stories and
composed nearly altogether OF corrugated
iron and wood. The structure burned,
however, as though it was a tinder box.
The firemen and others were unable to
stand within hundred feet of the burning
building, the heat was so intense. The
windows of the Academy Of Music were
cracked and broken with the heat, the
doors were blistered and the bill boards in
front of the Academy were burned on that
side toward the circus. Nothing could be
done to save any animals. Grace chapel
was wholly consumed, only the front walls
being left standing. It was very much
feared that the Academy of Music, which
is directly opposite, would also be con-
sumed. 1t evidently would, had not the
wind changed, which caused the fire to ex-
tend across to Thirteenth street, destroying
on its way the large carriage mandatory
of Stevens & Co., and several private
dwellings. No lives are reported lost The
fire next spread to the residence of Mrs.
Lawrence, consuming it, then an iron
front building, occupied by F. Grote, an
ivory dealer, which, with rear building
occupied by the same, were both destroyed.
carriage factory, on Thirteenth street, the
rear portion of which was burned, with
thirty thousand dollars worth of carriages.
Curlay's carriage factory, adjoining, was
also slightly damaged. Barnuln's losses are
l.. II l,4f IL
three hundred thousand. Barnum is said
to be in New Orleans. The loss to the
Lawrence estate Is $4,000, insured. Grote's
loss is 100000, insured $4,000. Reed &
Co., varnish dealers, lost all their fixtures
and stock. Jackson & Co., dealers in
fringes, lost all their stock. Newworth,
manufacturer of piano-strings, lost all his
stock.
Thousands of people visited the ruins
during the day, and large force Of police
was on duty t. keep the firemen from being
impeded in their duty. 1t is reported that
Barnum's insurance on the animals was
only 5000, the two elephants ami cams
eI saved, covering one half of that.
LATER--It appears that Barnum's insu-
rance on his building and its contents is in
the neighborhood of 100000. In his re-
port for November, fire marshal McSpedon
called attention to the unsafe condition of
Barnum's Museum, and the danger of the
surrounding property from it.
The men who slept in the museum
threw open the doors opening on 18th
street, and two of the performing elephants,
Jeanette and Betsy, and camel, walked
out. These were the only animals thst es-
capped. The remainder, terror-stricken by
the flames sweeping toward their cages,
the heat and sitting smoke, dashed madly
against the iron bars that confined them or
cTouched in the corners Of their cage, over
come with fear.
The performing elephant Pedro, a mag
nifcent specimen of his kins who arrived
here only last week from Hamburg, was
securely listened by chains on his fore feet.
Unavalling efforts were made to undo
these and The keepers were obliged to leave
him to his fate. His shrill trumpetings
could be heard for a considerable time after
the advancing flames had driven away
those whn had vainly tried to rescue him.
The following is list of the animals
burned: one elephant; four GlrAff3s; seven
camels and dromedaries; two magnificent
Abysinian lions; three saa lions, the only
ones attached to managerie; two white
Polar bears; two Bengal tigers; one Afri-
can leopard; one Asiatic Yak; one gnu
(horned bOrse); one chacenia, the largest
of the baboon tribe; the celebrated hap
by family, consisting Of a number Of
animals, among them a raccooD, rat, dog,
cat and other small animals, and a mum Der
of birds living together in the same cage; a
large collection of apes, gorilIss, monkeys,
raccoons and small animals; peicans, os-
triches and other rare birds; five large ana
condas and boa constructors in cage.
One hundred and fifty persons are thrown
out of employment. All the performers
lost their wardrobes and effects. Grace
Church was valued at $4,000, insured for
$50 600.
Another HaIfMilliOn Fire-Six Girls
Reported Burned ts Death.
The entire block on the west side of Cen
ter street between Leonard and Worth,
was burned this evening. Two girls en-
plOyed in tho building where the fire COM
mencsd were severely injured; also two
men, one of whom, Benz Ballard, probably
fltally. 1t is rumored that six girls per-
ished in the flames, but the report needs
confirmation. The total loss is estimated
at $50G,000.
LATER Thirty eight young women en-
ployed in upper stories of 81, So, and IS
Center st, fed down the staircase and by
the fire escape hen the alarm was given.
Two fell when several feet from the ground
and were severely injured. Their names were
Mary Hopkins, of 500 1st avenue, and En-
ma Francis, Of 149 Mercer st. a rumor
spread that several were unable to escape,
and burned to death, but is not authenti-
Gated. The building was a mere shell filed
with infammatory material. The flames
burst from every window threatening The
the Clipper office opposite and other build
ings. Jos. Pike, printer, was struck on
the head by falling brick, had his skull
fractured, aid will probably die. Berj.
Ballot was less seriously injured.
A fire In large building on Duane street
to-day caused damsge of $4,000 Sew
eral small fires have also occurred at differ
ent points of the city to-day.
The Palisade House was burned this
forenoon. 1t was insured for 100000.
A Midnight Drive to Death.
a runaway accident occurred in Brook
lyn this a. m. about one O'Clock in which
lady named Madame Adams lost her life.
The team of horses attached to the coach
in which Madame Adams was riding, took
fright and ran away. They dashed down
Washington street at q furious rate, throw
ing the driver from his bcx upon the pave