New-York tribune., 1876-12-20
LITTLE ROCK AGAIN ON FIRE.
THE WATER SUPPLY EXHAUSTED.


A LOSS OF $150000, WITH THE FIRE STILL RAGING
PROGRESS OF TIE FLAMES.
LITTLE Rock, Ark, Dec. 19-S:30 p. m.-Another
fire has Just broken out on the corner of Markham
and Sherman-sts, adjoining the Miller & Pencil
block, which threatens to destroy the eastern por
tiOn of the city.
S:45 p. m.-There is no water on the fire, although
the Fire Department is hand, and the streets
thronged with people. 1t is reported that there is
considerable powder in the building, aud officers arc
keeping citizens from its immediate vicinity. The
utmost excitement prevails. At present the flames
are confined to the extensive house of Jones, Nc
Dowell Il Co., cotton factors and commission mer-
chants in the Miller & Pencil block, three-story
brick building
$50 p. m.-The City Council which was in session
when the alarm sounded, has just adjourned. The
Pat. Cleburne steam-engne is pouring two streams
in the front door of Jones' Mcdowell & Co.'s store,
and there is possibility that the flames will be sub
dued. The new Selby steamer, purchased by the
citizens of Hot Springs and brought here for trial. is
taking water at the corner Of Cumberland and
Sec0nd-sts Should this building burn the loss
not fall short of $150,000 The Fire Department
is doing noble work, and if the water holds out
portion of the building may be saved. The report
of any considerable quantity of powder in the build
ing ia denied and every inch of available ground is
occupied by the workers.
At 9:lO o'clock the flames burst from the rear of
the building, and it is now evident the block is
doomed. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.
About 300 men are engaged in removing the groce-
ries within reach in the store of Miller 81 RenzeL
The goods on the other side are mostly composed Of
machinery and heavy goods. The work OF razing
the nelghboring building is under way. The powder
was removed at the beginning of the fire, yet hun
dreds of people refuse to venture near the scene.
$50 D. m.-The water in the cisterns has given
out and the steamers have gone to the river for
water One steamer is disabled and is not at the
water The fire is now in the second story, and
there is no water on il at present. The building will
be thoroughly gutted, and the lOss it is estimated
will be from 5000 to $4,000
Both firms are partially insured. During the
time the engines were moving from the eisterns to
the river the fire gained headway which it seems
impossible to check. The buildings occupied by the
following firms will be mined, and it is probable
the nearest will be crushed by falling
walls: Harrison Reed barber; Kaufman, toys
and bakery; Popp butcher, and S. L. Volmer &
Co., dry goods the last named is insured.
The neighborhOod known as Fighting Al
lev" comprising about 25 wooden buildings,
occupied as saloons, etc., on the Levee
and Water-st,, is almost TO disappear before
the flames. John Chambers, railroad employs,
was dangerously injured by an AK dropped from
house. Many thieves are being arrested.
10:15.-The fire has been raging two hours and the
walls of the block are falling; thus disappear the
largest wholesale houses in Arkansas. The loss
not fall short of $150,000 There is no telling
where the flames will be arrested. The heat has
driven the fremen from the surrounding buildings.
Jack" Curtis was severely injured by box OF
merchandise falling upon him.
lO:35.-Three brick buildings on the ives tbetween
Miller g. Pencils block, and twostory brick occu-
pied by Volmer as dry goods house and E. Ehrnan,
liquors, have been razed, and the flames are now
tapping over and graspiDg adjoining buildings.
The steamers arc playing tho large
wooden building on the east, endeayoring
TO prevent the spread of the flames in that direction.
The general offices of the Little Rock and Fort
Smith Railroad are IN danger. The building in
which they are situated is an elegant two and half
story brick, owned by Jones Mcdowell. Tho Miller
g. Pencil block contained the lodge room OF all
the Masonic bodies of the city, and also
the office of l.. f. Barber, Secretary Oh
the Grand Lodge. The rooms were elegantly
furnished all the lodges papers, regaiia furniture
&C. were destroyed. The rear wall OF the plock,
when il falls will crush several wooden puiiunss'
which there was no time to raze.
THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL
,,.ao-Tbe fire is now under control and con-
sned 10 the one block, although the buildings IN tne
vicinity are badly damaged by both fire and water
Tn. delav in moving the engines from the cisterns
to the river gave the fire destructive head"Ay' ""
| could not be checked