Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-11-15
FIELD & LETTER.
The Biggest Retail Dry Goods
House in the West a Heap
Of Smoking Ruins.
One Killed, Several Wounded and
$50 Persons Thrown Out
Of Employment.

CHICAGO, November l4.-At S:45 this
evening an alarm of fire was sounded
from the corner Of State and Washing
ton streets, a fire having been discovered
in Field & Letters retail establishment.
By a fatal mistake nobody was at the box
when the fremen arrived, and they were
misdirected to another building. The
FIRE had gained much Roadway before the
first steam was directed on it, and at 10
pm, almost the entire stock of dry goods
was completely destroyed by fire or by
water.
The building was owned by the Singer
Manufacturing Company, and the cost,
when built some FIVE years ago, was
$4,000, and is now worth at least half
a million dollars. The stock is variously
estimated from $3.50, 900 to 81, 800, 900.
Mr.. Field himself estimates the loss at
s $1,000, GOO on stock. There was q retail
stock in the store of $500, 900, and from
$3.50, 900 to $780, 600 worth of wholesale
stock stored in the basement. The in
sursnce on the building is not known,
and it is stated to be over 5000, 900, and
is placed by the New York agency. The
stock is believed to be insured for at
least two'thirds Ct its value. The follow
ing are the known casualties: Charles A.
Dudly Of San Francisco, but formerly a
member of q Chicago fire company,
which be was assisting tonight, was
killed; a watchman in the building,
name unknown, killed; Lieutenant J. Il
Shanberg, fireman, injured dangerously
internally. Francis Flanagan inter
ternally hurt and asphyxiated danger
ously; R. C. Payne, colOred fireman,
head aud mouth severely bruised; Je-
rome Bailey, pipeman, badly hurt about
the face and hands. The following are
missing: John 0'Rourke, Eugene
Sweeny. pipemen, supposed to be in the
ruins, but possibly may be alive; Pat
6mith, employee, was hurt badly by the
falling timber, which struck him on the
head. Eight hundred and fifty persons
are thrown out of employment by this
disaster, OF whom $50 are women EN-.
ployed as dressmskeru, filters, etc.
Mr. FIELDS STATEMENT.
The FIRE originated in a sort of demi-
story or attic, in an u%noccupied part
above the fifth story. lite origin cannot
be accounted for on any other theory.
Only one man is known to have been
killed outright, and his body was recov-
cred; he was the fireman whose name
has already been sent. The fourth and
fifth stories are Quilted, the stock entirely
consumed and the masonry valueless.
The lower three stories may be repaired
at considerable outlay, but it would be
nearly as cheap and safer to tear the
whole structure down and build anew,
The stock of the lower stories is almost
entirely destroyed by water, bat some Of
it may be worth twenty-five cents on the
dollar. The package goods in the base
ment are less injured, but none intact
Perhaps slOO,O 600 worth of goods were
carried out. The stock was worth from
5000, 900 to 81, 200, 900, but probably
nearer the former figure. Insurance,
$3.50, coo on stock. The wholesale de-
partment being several blocks away was
not affected. The retail business will be
resumed as soon as suitable quarters are
obtained.