Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-18
A BIG FIRE
Burns Through the Rear Build
ing Of the Peabody HO-
tel-A Grand IL
IN Illumination
Witnessed by 5000 Oitizsns-LOss,
& $4,000 Insurance, $4,000
Full Particulars.

About a quarter to seven o'clock last
night the whistling Of steam tugs in the
harbor was heard, and soon the public
was startled by seeing flames bursting
from the Mansard roof Of the six-story
building which forms the kitchen and a
portion Of the sleeping apartments Of the
Peabody Hotel, located on Main street,
corner Of Monroe. The origin Of the FIRE
ia not known, fer it was frst seen 10 the
northwest corner of the building the third,
fourth, fifth and sixth stories Of which
constitute irregular part Of the hotel and
servants apartments. The second story
is the kitchen, while the ground ioor is
occupied as a billiard hall BY Mr.. Sid
Cook, whose loss BY water is near $4,000,
covered by an insurance Of $4,000 in the
Commercial Union, Of England. The
FIRE department promptly responded to
the alarm, and soon four streams Of
water we're playing on the blazing build
ing. The sight was one never to be for
cotton, for the brilliant flames leaped
high up, and above assembled a great
volume of smoke. The streams Of water,
hurled thirty feet above the top Of the
building, fell in diamond-like spray, and
by the intense heat we're changed quick
ly into vspor that curled and scared
up ward with the dense smoke.
The engines were operated to their full
capacity. and amid the black smoke and
from their stacks s,csDded myrisds of
bright Ere sparks, constituting a wonder
fully grand and beautiful scene, like
unto the pyris Examinations Of Mardi.
Gras. The members Of the fire depart.
ment we're fearless, ~zeslous and uutiriug
in their work, which for discretion and
efficiency cannot be excelled. The main
object was to prevent tbs burning Of the
hotel proper, which is connected with the
kitchen building. Despite the hight Of
these buildings and the difficulty in the
proper approach Of streams. this object
was accomplished. Chief McFadden
and his men, With a resolution seldom
equaled, aud never surpassed, en-.
tered the building aud mounted
to the roof. Engine No. 4 wal the FIRST
to run up their hose, which we're con-
Quoted through the hotel to the fourth
story, whence an effective stream Of wa.
ter was poured into the burning build
ing. Engine No. 2 followed, and then
No. 3, the hoss Ct the latter company
being hoisted over the walls by means Of
ropes. This was hoiSted ev0n over the
great cornice, an undertaking both diff
cult and hazardous, but nevertheless
successfully acc 1mplished by the mem
ber' Of the company, The first hose
bursted, but we're replaced by new pipe
Of which the department has 5000 feet
Had the department relied on the els
terms and beeR deprived Of the water
works mains the Peabody Hotel, and
perhaps other blocks, would have
been burned to the ground, En-.
CINE Ne. 2 gave out, but Mr.. Jim Do
Ian taking charge Of the machine, soon
revived its operations, which thereafter
worked without interruption. After hard
work the FIRE was checked and the Aamel
suppressed. the Mansard root fifth and
fourth stories being burned out. Below,
Of course, everything was damaged by
water, as was also the hotel building
proper. In fact the water soaked almost
the entire building, the Office An~diground
floor being uupleasautly wet. &.
l., The entire damage amounts to $40, O0C
or $25, 900, on which there is an insurance
of $50, 1000, of which $4,000 is on the
furniture, etc, and $50. 900 on the build.
lug, the latter being owned by
R G. Brinkley, the hotel being
operated by Galloway & Co, Mr..
G. B. Galloway being manager.
The insurance was in the subjoined com.
panies: Liverpool. London and Globe,
$4,000 on house aud furniture. The re-
msinder, $4,000, was distributed in the
following companies: New Orleans and
Lafayette, of New York; Fire Associa-
ton Of Philadelphia, $4,000; Commercial
Of New York; Greenwich, of New York;
Mechanics, Of New York. Adristic, New
York; Fremen's Fund, New York;
Merchants, New York; STANDARD, New
York Produce Exchange, New York;
Melville. New Jersey, and Amite, New
York, $25Oo EACH Safeguard, New York,
$4,000; Alliance, New York, $4,000; Gsb.
hard, New York; Reading, Of Philadel.
phia, and Farmers aud N ~chanics, Of
New York, $500 each; Lamar, New
York, and Pb6uix, Of New York, $l2,l59
each. .pas m
In addition to this there we're other
losses by merchants in the building.
Myers, the cigar man, sustained slight
loss by removal Of his RoOds, some Of
which were stolen. He is insured for