, 1877-11-18
A FRESH START,
Field & Letter Have Secured the
Exposition Building.
And Will Open in Week in Grand
Style-A1terations to Be
Made.
Clearing Out the Wreck.--I on
the Bullding.--The Salvage.


SCENE OF ACTIVITY AND BURNED RAGS.
The scene around the ruins of the Field d
Letter building yesterday was one Of e1trcm
actiyity and industry. As carly as o'clock i,
the morning the boss carpenter, Mr.. Pashley
with the assistance Of q number Of men, pro
ccclcd to clear up portion Of the basement
and plant braces against suspiciously situated
tjmbc,s and pillars, and set them up straieh
and firmly secure them, SO that it would be saft
to nut force Of men to work inside to clear u1
the debris. At that carly hour the scene in the
interior was unchanged. Thebroken pillars, bcn1
iron sirdcrs, overhanging floors, and tin,bcrs--
all were there in the same threatening attitude.
The fourth floor, au overhanging semi-circlc Of
timber and lumber, looked as though it might
conc down at any time like huge avalanche,
and bury in its downward flight apy who might
be so unfortunate as to be within reach of even
its shadow. But the accident did not occur. te-
cause every precau1ion was used to prevent il.
Shortly after the pillars had been braced, Mr..
Bell, the Assistant Superintendent OF the retail
department, hired about 100 hands, nun,hcr
which was soon increased to l50, aud iu the
afternoon TO 20, who were put to work for tile
insurance companies as
4 SALVAGE CORPS,
to get out as much OF the goods as possib lc,
Outside the building there was placed the usual
rope at the edge OF the sidewalk, SO us to keep
out the multitude. Vast crowds Of people hoy-
ton streets, to gaze and be gazed upon Tue
most curious and inquiring people we're the
gentler sex. Women elegantly clad did not
hesitate to stop both policemen and reporters
ea 10 4n1saok soo1s "s mous r1en Sa so5 'e &n5 d3
thcy we're worth, and how much they
would bring, and whether an $S-a-yard silk, but
little soiled. wouldn't go Tor less than 10 cents
on the dollar, IN case there Was auction sale
The policemen usually answered in the affirm
atiyc, while the reporters, who are all single
men and handsome, hadn't the least knowledge
on the subject
THE SEARCH FOR THE DEAD
was continued during the day, the debris being
had fallen, but No other bodies were found, aud
it is not believed by either Mr.. Bell
or Pashlcy that any persons were
buried in the ruins and killed
except the two unfortunate tremen. The over
hanging aud dangerous debris on the third and
fourth floors was all removed during the fore
noon, and by Il O'Clock the scene on the inside
was somewhat changed, and presented more
quiet and less chaotic aspect The cellar or base
mcut rather, under the cupola, had been in part
cleared away land outside OF the door, on Wash
ington. Vas carried an indescribab}e mass. Here
Jay beautiful woolcn robes, slightly damaged.
At another spot lay matted together great cords
Of RAGS that had once been silks worth IS yard.
There were great counters, charrcd tinbcrS, old
aud notwithstanding store-stools lumber.
in fact everything, thrown into one great
chaotic medley which it would be hard to de-
scribe. This
MASS OF STUFF
Was being carted to tho northeastern portion OF
the Exposition Building. During the dav this
mass was added to until the State aud " ashiug-
ton street sidewalks appeared like massive forti
fcation, 'uauc OF cords upon cords Of cot
tons, harnels, silks, white goods. mattresses
dress goods, parasols- kid gloves, and umbrel-
las. The pic was1ully tire to six feet hgn, and
In PLACES fourteen to sixteen feet WIDE. These
goods were mostly taken from the basement,
In III. centre and northwestern and northeastern
PORTIONS OF the building. All that was brought
out Of the building yesterday was little else
aged. Great rolls of black corded silk were
scorcted, and cut. and Water-soakcd, with not ]
restise Of rcaeclning feature about them. !
Everything was sruinc1,-hopelcssly so,-aul the !
us suranCc men SO viewed it.
THE BIG FORCE OF MEN |
brought out great many n ORE pieces Of goods
and rugs than the WAGONS were anIe to cart ]
away, and they were kept piled up on the side !
walk, to he guarded during tile night hy our |
;igilant police, who, bv-thc-by, did their dutr I
lobly. Tue trims eln1lOrcs, too, deserve great |
rrtit, since they jaboretl like Iroians and none
If them forgot ROW to he civil and courteous to
III under the nlosl aggraYatmg and pcrpicNng !
!
At THE TAYLOR BUILDING
he employees were still engaged in sorting and |
the stuck that was saved, and CLASH
wing it INTO tlc Different numbers arranged for
hem. One OF the Insurance men present told !
TRIBUNE reporter that from Sl1J.O0J u S3C0,- !
10 worth Of gooas had been saved undanlagcd |
Ie calculator that the insurance companies !
would save about 25 to 20 per cent on their |
isks by taking the salvage and selling the |
touk. He did not know what would te done,-
shethcr Mcssrs. Field, Letter d: Co. would take
t. or whether the insurance companies would |
oil II 1