Wilmington journal., 1873-01-03
BuFning Of Barnum's Museum I'm
New YOFk..DesfructiOn0 Of his Circus
and Menngerie...Frightf Scenes
and Sounds, &c.

-7f so -...s. NEW YORK, Dec. 21.
i, BarnumS circus and menagerie, in Eas
Fourteenth street, with several other build
lnSs, we're destroyed by fire this morning
the Losses On which will no doubt reach
million dollars. The fire was first discov
cred at 4:16, bursting through the roof O
The circus, just over where the giraffes wer.
kept, and Immediately after, animals an(
birds began bowling and screeching In
terrific manner. An alarm was sounded
! which quickly brought the district engine.
/ on the spot. A second and third alarm
| were sent out, but the flames spread will
such rapidity that almost before the fire.
men could get the water on, the circus was
(: gone. Some of the fremen who were first
, on the ground state that the roaring Of the
| animals was something frightfnl to listen to
+: during the short time that it lasted, as they
/ were speedily put out of misery by the ra-
pidity with which the devourinc clement
Tapped up the tinier-like structure In which
they were Gagged. Tie only
- ..t.. ANIMALS SAVED
out Of the valuable collection which Bar
mum had taken such pains to secure were
two elephants and camel.
The building was two stories in heia ht,
and composed nearly altogether of CORFU
gated iron and wood, which with that por-
ton Of the building used as a circus. was
totally destroyed, the whole building burn
ing as though it was tinder box Moth
ing could be done to save any more of the
animals. The firemen state that they
would sooner risk falling walls anv time
than enter den of wild or tame beasts IN
case of this kind.
were in the vicinity were unable to stand
within one 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 and
broken by the heat, doors were blistered,
and the bill ll-boards in front Of the Acade-
my were burned on the side towards the
circus. It was 'ery much feared that the
" ACADEMY OF MUSIC
would also be consumed, and it evidently
would had not tn wind changed.
The fire next extended to the church ad-
joining, which is known as Grace Chapel,
or Church of the Redemption, and although
the tireTnen used their utmost endeavors to
save the building, they were unavailing, as
1t shared almost the same fate as the cir
Gus, only the front walls being eft standing.
THE FIRE AMeNCs THE NEIGHBoRs
The fire also extended to buildings Nos.
134 aud 1876 East Fourteenth street, owned
aud occupied by the mother of Abraham
r. Lawrence. The fire also extended to
the new iron front building adjoining the
circus, and owned and partly occupied by
T. Grote, dealer in ivory. Grote also occu-
pied Il building in the rear, which, together
with the front building, was totally de-
stroyed.
The next building visited by the fire was
Miner, Stevens & Co.'S carriage manufacto-
ry, situated on Thirteenth street, running
from 1l5th to 121st street. The rear pol~
ton of the building was completely burned
together with about $50, 1000 worth of stock.
E. G. Curley's carriage mandatory on
18th street, was also slightly burned.
e THE LOSSES.
Barnum's losses are put down at differ
ent sums, ranging from S15O,O00 to
$500, 900. As those parties that do know
anything about it cannot be found. it is
impossible to make any true estimate of
his losses. Mr.. Barnum is said to be in
New Orleans at present.
1t appears, SO far as can be ascertained,
that Barnum's whole insurance will
amount to 100000.
In his report for November Fire Marshal
McShedon called attention to the unsafe
condition of Barnum's Museum, and the
danger of the surrounding property from it.
ORIGIN OF TIE FIRE.
The fra in Fourteenth street origina-
ted in the boiler room of Barnum's
managerie. The giraffe cage was opened,
but the animals were too frightened 10
escape, and all four perished. They were
valued at $4,000. Barnum's agent esti-
mates his loss at 100000. All the per-
formers lost wardrobes, many being very
vauabls. About $50 persons are thrown
out Of employment by the burning of Bar
num's show.