The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-12-25
BY TELEGRAPH.
exclusively for the Register.
~ the Paciac and Atlantic Itu..
Once, llO Main Street.
The Fire Fiend !
Barnum's Museum DESTROYED,
Estimated Loss 100000
Animals Perish in the Flames


NEW 1oRx, December N.-The
hippotheatron, formerly occupied by L.
B. Lent as q circus and leased this sea
son by P. T. Barnum, was burned TO
the ground this morning. The fire
originated in the engine room, which
structure was in flames a few minute.
after the fire was discovered. Shortly
after four o'clock this morning the
watchman, Andrew Nelson, dis
covered flames among the apparatus for
heating the building. They first tried
to extinguish the flames by throwing
water upon it. Officer Mccoy, Of the
Fifteenth Precinct, Immediately ran to
the nearest box and sounded the alarm.
The second and third alarm was sent
out. Nine men who slept in the bnild-
ing and had charge Of the menagerie
were Immediately aroused, and most
strenuous efforts were made to save the
unfortunate animals.
The flames spread rapidly. A cage
containing girsffs, was broken open, but
the beasts were too frightened to escape
aad even ifthey had, they would have
perished Of cold before they could have
been housed elsewhere. Had there
been ten minutes more many Of the
animals would have been set loose.
The performing elephant Jeanette,
and the little one, Gypsey, we're saga.
cious enough to avail tn smselves OF the
opportunity afforded them and were
both rescued. A large elephant re.
Gently imported refused to stir and
perished. Two camels were also res.
cued, although with the greatest diff
Guilty. A very short time had elapsed
since the discovery of the fire, but the
circus building burned like tinder, and
it was impossible to remain in it
The fire department attended with its
usual promptitude and worked zeslously
and we'll, but the flames had obtained
powerful ewsy. 1t was fearful night,
and the cold intense, the mercury stand
ing four degrees above zero. 1t was
soon apparent that the adjoining build
ings were in great danger, including the
Academy of Music. The first engine
soou arrived, but the fire continued TO
spread and the destruction Of the entire
block was imminent. At this moment
the din was appalling, the roars OF the
lions, tigers and panthers as they writh :
ed in agony, mingled with shrleks OF
other wild animals, while above all
was heard the deep trumpeting OF the
un fortunate elephant.
Meanwhile the fire ragged with in-
creased violence, the whole building
was wrapt in flames and it bee me evl-
dent that there was no chance for the
escape OF the edifce, The fire con-
tinued to rage feariully till nine o'clock
this morning, when it was controlled
by the firemen.
The first building to catch fire was
the workshops of Miner & Stearns, ll5
to l2l East Thirteenth street. These
wer. followed by Grace Chapel, Protes-
tapt Episcopal Free Church, on -Four,
teenth street, and then Grote's billiard
and ivory goods show rooms: The
Academy OF Music was on fire at
several points where the WOOD,
work caught and only the devotion OF
friends and supply of water saved 1t;
while the roofs OF houses to the leeward
OF the FIRE on Thirteenth street and on
Third avenue caught, and forced the
police af the Seventeenth and Fifteenth
nrecincts to alarm the occupants OF
every house within several bl'cks Of
the fire. The tate of the east side OF
town was not decided till nearly seven
o'clock, when the fire department BE-
came masters OF the situation.
The losses can scarcely be spproxima,,
| ted at present The animals destroyed
are invaluable. as they cannot be re-
placed. Mr.. Barnum laid out nifty
III bousand dollars . few months ago on
the building. The great Snowman is
however, heavily insured. He is al
nresent in New Orleans with his other
show. The loss of Mr.. Grote is SIoO,, oc
900 Grace Chapel WAS worth $ao,oOO
and Is a total loss. The dwellings sd'
Joining Grace Chapel were valued Al
$50 600. The losses Of Minor q stey'
sn. are supposed to be heavy, probably
about 100000.
The loss of Mr.. Bsruum, who ls
,-esent in New Orleans,is estimated oy
M s. B. Hand, his treasurer. at $Soo''
600 His insurance it is impossible u o
to ssy how much at this hour. y
this proportion about s6o,ocO was es,
nended recently in reconstructiDg tn'
bn;ldine. The naturs! history collec'
ron. it IL claimed, was the most vaIu
able in the country. Inc gnHu,'
hn,,sd coa, $SO, 600, and were the oni.