The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-07-27

| TIE Cbioh Depot Up 10 IIi- tliiie IL
was hoped that The building would -
cape, but the mass of pine lumber
used in shedding over the tracks were
soon a sea of fire. While the fire was
raging here the mob pillaged the
freight depot of the Pittsburg, Cincin-
natl & st. Louis Railroad, which was
in close vicinity. The freight received
fer shipment was broken open and
valuable contents carried of. After
plundering the depot for an hour, and
fiour, hams, and all kinds OF provis>
ions were carried away, the torch was
applied and soon the vast depot and
company's general Offices adjoining
were a mass of flames.
The Union Depot was large fonr
story building. 1t had frontage on
Liberty street of about seventy feet,
and extended back about, two hund
red feet. The lower floor was used as
waiting rooms, ticket offices, and com
pany Offices. The upper floor was oc-
cupied by the Keystone Hotel Com
pany, and was one of the first hotels
in the city. The whole building was
one of the modern style of architect
ure, and was considered one of the
best arranged depots in the country.
1t was finished about seven years since.
In the rear of the depot, and extend
ing back 500 feet. were lines of neat
pine sheds, covering different tracks,
to protect passengers from the wealth
er. 1t was under these the burning
car was run.
AMOUNT OF PROPERTY DESTROYED.
The freight depot of the Pittsburg.
Cincinnati i st. Louis Railroad was a
large shed building fronting on Grant
street, and extending from Washington
street to Seventh avenue. The COM
pany's general officers were in O four
story brick building on Seventh aven-
ue. These were totally destroyed, as
was also the depot of the Adams Ex-
press Company, located on Grant st.
The books and valuable papers had
beentremoved from The Union Depot
offices as well as from the other build
ings before the fire reached them.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INTIMATRD.
The fire department of this city con-
tinued on duty from the time of the
first alarm, but were not allowed to
throw any water or make any effort to
save the property of the railroad COM
pany. They consequently directed
their efforts to saving the private
property on the north side Of Liberty
street. In this they were mainly sue
cessful, although six dwellings and a
sash factory, located near tile round
houses were destroyed early in the day.
When the Union Depot building was
fired, followed by the Pan Handle
offices, a panic seized the citizens, who
had, up to this time, calmly folded
their arms, and looked on. 1t was
feared that the coutlagration would
sweep the entire portion of the city
south of the Pan Handle railroad
tracks, as many of the buildings were
small frames, and as dry as tinder.
THE ALLEGHANY DEPARTMENT TO THE
RESCUE.
At this juncture the fire department
of Allegheny, which had been held in
readiness in case OF an outbreak on
that side of the river, was summoned
20 assist in staying the progress of the
flames. The Pan Handle Railroad
building was the last one in the line,
and the Allegheny department was
placed on Seventh avenue to check
the progress of the flames in that di
rection. When this,last building was
fired, the whole territory between
Seventh and Millvale station, a dis
tance of three miles, was a mass of
flame, the railroad company's property
being all between the south side of
Liberty and the bluff hill extending
from Seventh avenue to Millvale. The
slate houses on the hill side, although
badly scorched, were not destroyed
THE RAILROAD BUILDING DESTROYED.
Were as follows: Two roundhouses,
one machine shop, Superintendent S
Office, car repair shop, blacksmith
shop, three or four oil houses, Union
Transfer Depot and offices, Pullman
Car Company's laundry and Offices,
dispatcher's office, powder house,
Union Depot Hotel, Pan Handle Rail
road engine house, general offices aud
freight depot of the Adams Express
Company.
PTTTsBURG, July 22,-S:35 P: NJ
About five o'clock the fire from the
Union Depot communicated to the
immense grain elevator at the corner
of Grant and Washington streets.
This was built of huge timbers, and
covered wibh slate, 1t contained a
large quantity of grain. The destruc-
fioD nf fhaoa b,;Id;pr, oaayma1 fo 40 fic
fly the rioters, as they began to disperse.
While they were burning, most of those
who deserted the crowd loaded them
selves down with the plumber, and
Eandad their way hoIleward.
THE CITIZENS FORM A VIGILANCE CON-
MITTEE.
At the adjourned meeting of the
citizens, held this afternoon, a Vigil
ant Committee was organized to pre-
vent further destruction of property.
1t was rapidly recruited, and each
member was first provided with base
ball bats, but these were afterwards
exchanged for guns. They were des
ignated by white ribbons on their arms
As soon as the force was organized
they marched to Seventh avenue,
where hundreds of spectators, who
had been waiting for some one to lead,
joined with them in preventing further
incendiarism. The indications now
are that the reign of the mob is over,
although threats have been made that
the buildings belonging to the Pitts
burg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad
and the Cleveland & Pittsburg road on
Pennsylvania street, and the Duquesne
Freight Depot on Liberty street, will
be fired this evening. A large number
of vigilants will guard these depots
through the night, and it is thought
they will be saved. The through trains
on the Pennsylvania Railroad have
arrived and departed as usual to day,
the West Pennsylvania Railroad tracks
being used from Allegheny City to
Blairsville intersection on the main
line. Thus far no property of the
company outside of Pittsburg has been
destroyed.
The Pittsburg & Ft Wayne Company
have notified their men that they have
acceded to their demands and will pay
wages as before June 18th. The men
are now busily engaged in getting the
road in running order The FIT.
Wayne blockade being raised. it is
likely that tha Cleveland & Pittsburg,
and the Erie & Pittsburg Railroads
will be able to run as usual. The sit
uation on other roads remain unchang
ed. The Vigilant Committee is hourly
growing stronger, and it is thought the
destruction of life and property is at
an end. 1t is estimated that 1000
cars, loaded with oil. coal, and all kinds
of merchandise, were totally destroyed
All these, together with locomotives,
buildings, and other property destroy
ed, swell the Pennsylvania Railroad
Coppany's losses to an aggregate