The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-16

proved to be the County JaL In Raymond street.
District Engineer Farley happened to DO In the
neighborhood ct the time ana fastened
into the building, and, In company with Keeper
sttnson forced his way through the dense smoke
to the male wing whore the ore ragged. Here the
greatest CONSERVATION and excitement existed
among the prisoners, occupants OF the cells, VINO
cried and screamed for help, and begged to be re-
leased from their places Of confinement, fearing
that an awful death was imminens. ooh, keepers,
let us outl for the Lords sake bring the keys
let us out!" cried the terrined occupants OF the
cells. In the female department Of the jail
terror retgned, for few minutes
supreme. Mrs. Knowles, It appears, had
few minutes previous been admitted within the
gate to the female corridor to see Mrs. Merrigan
the alleged murderess of Margaret Hammin On
the examination OF Mrs. Merrfgan she testified
against the latter, and subsequently learned that
the prisoner had expressed her anger towards her.
Before entering the corridor she told the Keeper
that she was AFRAID OF Mrs. Merrigan. Thisremark
excited feelings Of anxiety in the minds of
the keepers when they heard Mrs. Merrigan's voice
crying aloud, "Put her outi Put her outp The
dea appeared to be confirmed when they saw the
alleged murderess embracing Mrs knowles and
Kissing her. The impression was that she was
assuming her Investigation, however, proved
that they were most ludicrousy mistaken as the un-
fortunate prisoner was solely soncitous for the
safety OF her visitor to whom she chung in afYec-
ton, while she called upon the keepers to "Put
her out" that she might be free from the impend.
ing danger. 1t was found that the two
walls OF the prison were in names. AscertaininH
no DANGER. the keepers proceeded to the upper
one Flremen IN the meantime had entered the
building Ing, and sn. hose rom No. 10 engine was
Engineer Farley. and sssoEer McDonPsi Of tr1cf
No: made their way across the burning rooms
joining cells One or the prisoners was found
lying prostrate In the corridor, having been
70 S outer Snp H Where was
recovered. Ladders were placed about the build
ing and hole was broken In the roof directly over
the fire, and the names were soon under subec.
ton. The Sherin, Mr.. Aras q. Williams, Is OF
the opinion that the fire proceeded from defective
the woodwork In the rooms where the nre
originated Henry Schmidt prisoner, who occu.
hallway, was locked up In cell by order OF the
Fire Marshal, to await examination touching the
cause OF the fire, as ne II suspected Of having set
sHERIFY WILLIAMS REPORT or THE FIRE.
At the meeting OF the Board OF Supervisors held
was submitted aud referred TO the Jail Committee,
with power:-
hosonAnIx BOARD OF surzsvIsonsN
eleven o'clock NJ to-day doing damage to the extent
OF 800 Whereabouts.
The IRE originated rom defective smoke pipe or iuc
over the engine room OF the male pnson and burned
straw bed wa, set re which, Sens sata
the waltz MIA but on no o de &
escaped nor was single prisoner Injured IN the slightest
tbeeame necessary Fire Department to
Sere 9, cs lo oy oSua oe at
there is not an inch Of tre hose ne JAIL and
respec r.; ask Rroyson be made at once
sDs sS1Si '-' Is O. WILKINS s SfGaHa re-
Empire stores once More i'm Flames.
The next objective point OF the Fire Department
wes designated BY the City Hall pel which sounded
an alarm about twenty minutes past two p NJ.
aud the apparatus ratified over the pavements and
through the miniature snow banks towards the
Empire Stores, situated between the Fulton and
Catharine street ferries. Three buildings Of this
section OF warehouses were destroyed by fire III
the winter OF 1865, and the locality was therefore
familiar the f-emen, who wen remembered
the hardships which they endured on the
occasion in question. The fire yesterday was
discovered in the BRICK sheds In the rear Of store
"B'-a one story brink building on Front street, IN
which was stored quantity OF jute, and Is sup
posed TO have been occasioned by spontaneous
combustion. The smoke was exceedingly dense,
and much difficulty was experienced in getting q
stream OF water to bear directly on the insidious
fire; The ncendary slement however found ITS
the Empire Stores, owned by Nesbt d Son,
Of South street. New York. This store, which
fronts on the dock, is one OF row OF eight three
story buildings which adoin q row OF new and
more pretentious warehouses built upon the site
which was burned over Eve or six years ago. In
the storehouse facing the river was stored jnte,
hides, logwood mahogany and other valuable
merchandise. strong northwest wind from of
the river lent lorce to the congregation In prog
ress, and Fire Commissioner Fred. Massey, fearing
the demolition OF all the buildings In the course OF
rung. THIS brought out all the remaining fire
engines and the entire reserve OF the western dis
trict police. superintendent John s. Folk directed
the movements OF the policemen. The fremen
worked with extraordinary energy and disregard
OF comfort With heavy axes and crowbars they
pried open the iron shutters in order to get their
hose pipes In to play stream upon the blazing
piles Of merchandise on the second and third
and aiUi'' ned the ' nonzles from Which were
elected inc many deugtng streams, regard
FEN ns rdy an s
binding. sul1ocating smoke that environed them.
Nos. and OF the Empire Stores caught Are, and
the slated roof, with a vengeance which threatened
TO gut the buildings through to The main street.
uncture to save the goods stored in the buildings
adjoining the burning ones, and Q space was
cleared on the dock whereon to pile the bales Of
stun as they were taken out on wheel
Darrows There were many narrow escapes
from fractured skulls, caused by the
flremen at work on the roof throwing down huge
tes which fell IN close proximity to the heads OF
the workmen. The water, however, was 80 judi
ciOusly dispensed under the direction of Chief En-
glneer Nevins that by five O'Clock 1t became APP
parent that the flames were well IN hand, and that
the brave hremen were masters Of the situation.
The loss on buildings. as reported by Fire Marshal
Thorne, is $4,000. The loss on general merchan-
disc will be covered, it Is believed, by &75000 The
property Is fully insured. The names OF the insur-
ance companies coua not ne obtained last night.
Slight Fire.
At 4:5s O'Clock fire broke out in the basement
OF the dwelling OF Ii. A. Brown, No. 654 Fulton
street. The damage was only trining, the police
lending prompt aid and extlnguishing the names.
Fire ON verona Street.
About I'VE O'Clock in the evening IRE broke
out in shed adjoining Lebby a Clsrk's Oil works,
corner OF Verona and Richard streets, Red Hook
Point, occasioned by stoveppe setting IRE to the