Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-08-01
BURNING OF TIE GREAT ERIE MA.
CHINE SHOP.
A Fireman X illcd by the Falling Walla
"A Carpclitcr Supposed to kave been

burned to Dcuth--Iln nlensc Loss.
/ From the New York Sun, of Thursday.
7 At 8:l5 O'Clock last night the carpen
ter's shop in the east end of the i'm
mense Erie Railway machine shops
Jersey City took fire. A general alarm
was ut once sounded, winch was re-
sponded to with alacrity by the entire
tire department of Jersey City, under
Chief Engineer Farrier, and the whole
police force, with Chief McWiliams al
their head. Before the engines could
be put to work, the flames flashed
from one end of the building to the
other, enveloping twenty-six locomo-
tlves which were under course of re-.
pair.
The building, which was brick, two
stories high with a slate covered roof,
faced Provost street and extended to
Meadow street, and from Tenth to
Eleventh streets. It covered with the
ground used for storing aud repairing
the engines and cars several acres.
The fire illuminated the entire metro.
polls.
" Crowds crossed over to Jersey City,
and 1t was estimated that 80, 600 per-
sons viewed the destruction of the
shops and contents.
80 rapid was the fire that the en-
ployees, who were soon on the spot.
saved only a very small portion of
their tools. They all lose more or less.
From the carpenter shop the flames
extended to the pattern shop, thence to
the tin shop, taking in the paint shop,
brass finishing department, boiler shop,
blacksmiths' forges, and machine shops
IN rotation. The fire then communi-
Gated to the offices and store rooms,
and in an almost Incredible time the |
whole structure, contents, and locomo-
tives were one solid sheet OF fame.
The many streams of water thrown |
on it from all directions were of no
avail. It burned with lightning rapid |!
ity, and destroyed everything in it's |
way. Then the tiremen directed their |
attention to saving the adjoining build
lngs. Henwood's extensive tobacco
warehouses were Threatened, but
we're saved by the exertiops. of the fire.
men. The freight depot, which con-
'ained large number of cars and sew
'ral million dollars worth of freight
vas also saved with much difficulty by
he Erie employees. A stiff westerly
'reeze was blowing. which earned the
parks toward the shipping, and endan-
'ered the depot and many warehouses,
'ut tho fire was providentiaily confined
o the machine shops.
One hour after the discovery of the
!: e. the roof of the main building had
'urned off. The rafters then fell in,
nd the north wall tottered for an in
tant and tumbled over with tremen-
|Ous crash. A few minutes later Chief
Engineer Farrier directed steam fire
ngine No. 3 to take position in front
+ the Provost street wall and play on I
he fire. This. order was protested
gainst by Chiefof Police McWilliams,
ut the latter had no discretion in the
latter, and could only offer . ,sugges-
ion as to the danger of the men from !
he falling wallis. It was needed. ]
A moment later the wall fell outward,
burying the engine in the
chris, instantly killing Engineer Jas. l
[cGrath and seriously injurlng Char I
IS Nagle. Fhe, former mad just re-
,rned, at the break out of the fire, q