New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-15


THE LARGE CHICAGO RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT DE-
srRoYED WITH It's CoSrENrs-A FATAL RRRoR
Loss oF LIFE.
iBT TELEGRAPH TO THE rRmUSEI
CHICAGO, Nov. IA fire broke out in the upper
story OF Field a Letters extensive retail establish
ment corner of State and Westinghouse, az $50
o'clock tonight.
4 general alarm was Immediately sounded and the
most intense excitement was Observation-Disclosures
thTongcd to the spot from all parts Of
the city, and the street in the vicinity was
crowded with people. In less than half an
hour the flames had envelopcd the three upper
stories and it was evident that the entire building
with it, immense stock Of goods, would be consumed.
AT 9:45 the fire wds raging with increased fury. and
the roof fell in with loud crash At 1915 the
flames were under control
The fire originated from a stove in the work-room
in the north end Of the fifth floor, near the pas
scnger elevator. The Waterman. in making
his rounds, discovered the fire and inmedi-
ately gave the alarm, but before the engines
arrived the whole of the fifth floor abaze. The
well hole ran through the centre Of the building
from the ground - the roof, and formed fue
through which the flames were communicated 10 the
lower floors. The fremen fought molly, but were
pOwerIess IN presence Of the flames although there
no wind, and drilling rain was falling. The
rapid progress Of the flames rendered work from the
interior at first difficult, and later impossible.
After the fire had burned she top Il oor the stair
way fell, burying beneath it several men.
fireman named Gerald A. Bailey, was
seriously injured, and will die. Another
named Sweeney was instantly killed. A fireman
named Edward ORouri.c Is missing aud Is supposed
10 have been burned in the debris Charles Dudley.
an ex-iireman, who was working with the depart
ment, was taken from the staircase dead. The fol-
lowing are other casualties among the fremen:
FRANCIS FLANAGAN, badly hurt about the head.
j. n. LANDING, two rib5 broken and otherwise
severely injured.
r. Z. PAIE coored, badly hurt about the shoulders
AID internally
SMITH, severe scalp wounds.
Another fireman, name unknown. was frightfully
scalled about the head, and cannot survive. man,
whose name could not be ascertained, was found
dead on the top floor.
The arm Of Field a Letter occupied the entire
building as theirretaIl store carrying q stock valued
by Mr. Field Tonight at $1,O00.O00 Of this not
more than 100000 worth, consisting of badly
damaged shasls silks and notions were saved. The
insurance Oh the house Is large. The losses fall
upon every fire insurance company doing business
here.
About 600 persons were employed in the build
ing who are thrown ont Of work. The drm
have wholesale house at the corner OF
Market and Malison-sts. in this CITY, employing
400 men. This establishment VIII not be- affected.
The burned building bad q frontage If twenty-five
feet Oh Statc-st., by 40 feet on Westinghouse
1t was owned by the Singer Sewing Machine Com-
pany, and gas built in SD. at e cost Of f7OO.0OO
II was worth about 100000 at the title of tine
fire.
I'm August. 1873. il was damaged by fire
To- the extent If 100000. Field Is Letter
had then moved but part " tuer stocs into
the structure and lost heavily One other building
was slightly scorcled 5y tonight, FIRE.
Field & Letter VIII tomorrow occupy new
building on Wabash-aye., opposite a. I. stewards
house.
Careful estimates show total loss on building
and stock OF about 100000. They contemplate
heavy salvage. Tie assurances cannot De as-er-
t.ir.T t.-ufrnf