Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-02
BIG FIRE THIS MORNING.
The Webster Block in Flames
Damage Done to the Build
ing-InsuranCe, Etc.
The Gallant Firemen Strangle the
Fire Flend Once More.

At half past two o'clock this morning
flames aud smoke we're seen issuing from
the third story windows of the building
No. 203 in the Webster block on Main
street, between Adams and Washington,
and occupied by Scheibler & Co., dealers
in hides and leather. The FIRE bells soon
rang cut the alarm, and the FIRE depart
ment, with the steamers, was soon on
the ground. By this time the flames had
burst through the windows on the alley
and in rear, and dense volumes Of
smoke hid from view the upper
portion of the house. Two men were
discovered at the front windows in
the third story. They were crying for
help, as the smoke and flames had cut
off their retreat by way Of the stairway.
Captain Pat Haley's Hook and Ladder
Company soon placed a ladder against
the wall and the frightened men were
rescued. They were Germans, who
roomed 10 the front part Of the third
story, in which story the fire originated.
Ga this story Seheibler & Co. had a
leather furnishing and manufacturing
shop, and it was full Of the necessary
machinery. The fourth story was used
as a s%tore-room, and goods we're hoisted
up or let down from there through q
trap which extended down to che cellar,
The ground floor was occupied by Schei
bier Il Co. as a sales.room, in which wa
a large stock of goods. The second
floor was occupied as Offices by lawyers
|, doctors and others.
The flames ragged for three.quarters o
|, an hour in the third and fourth stories
and the tin roof fell in so soon as tn
supporting timbers were burned through
By steady work and constant streams 0
water thrown from the engines, at quar-
ter past three o'clock the fire was SUI
{ pressed and the rest of the Webste
block was saved from destruction.
During the progress of the fire, Will
. two pipemen of the Nc. l engine wer
standing on the trap in the second storl
s directing a stream up through the builC
: ing, under the direction Of Capt. Maddel
n who was near them, the hosting whe'
y in the fourth story came tumbliug dow
o the hatch. Captain Madden and pip
man Butler Rogers escaped by leapir
n aside, but pipeman jim Ryan was n
h sc fortunate. The wheel struck him
e the arm, tearing in it an ugly cash, al
" cutting his hand and fingers in q seve
manner.
if. The stock Of Scheibler & Co. was i
sured for the sum Of $l4, 600, and in d
following companies: North BIRTHS
70 $4,000; Hamburg and Bremen, $500
as American Central, $4,000; Home
AZ. Memphis, $4,000; Phoenix Of Memph.
as $4,000; Mississippi Valley, $4,000. II
he American Central wrote her policy
is the stock on the third floor, where t
Mt heavy loss occurred, estimated at $4OC
The other five companies wrote thu
policies on the cellar and grade iot
where little or no loss was sustained
stock except by water, which loss is es
mated at $4,000 The building is own
by Napoleon Hill and is insured
$4,000 in the following companies: Bl
City Insurance Company of Memph
$4,000; State Insurance Company
Nashville, $4,000. The loss on buildi
We is estimated at from one thousand
he twenty-five hundred dollars.
,al The adjoining building, No. q
OF owned by W. Il. Woods and occupied
q W. A. McCloy as an auction and co
po- mission house, was slightly damaged
'ur fire, probably to the amount Of seven
five dollars. The stock Of Mr.. McCl
hit was damaged by water to the amount
probably fifty dollars.
The next house in the block, No. |
m is owned by Mr.. Thomas Boyle a
err is occupied by Jake Stotz, beer salo,
zee keeper. This building is uninsured,
we was damaged only to the amount Of abb
at twenty-five dollars.
The fire at one time presented a m
his dangerous appearance, but it was s
1es pressed in a most practical and sci
Ere ti6c manner by Fire Chief McFad(
his and his gallant FIRE boys.
Leir