Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-15
FIRE FROM THE CLOUDS.
Lightning Strikes and Fire Destroys an
ce-HOuse---lOss Fully $4,000
particulars Of the
Disaster.

; A violent thunderstorm came Il
from the southwest about sunset las
evening. The big rain-drops fell 70
half an hour, mixed with hail-stones
Another storm came down from tn.
northwest, preceded bya driving wind
l When the wind gods Zephrus an,
l Boreas locked arms, the latter quick,
swept everything before, and such
shaking up as the water craft on tn,
river received they have not expert
/ enced for a twelve month. A mum
Der of boats, while trying to land
t were driven out into the river, where
they were tossed about like egg-shell,
for a period, but they finally managed
, to make shore without injury. Thi'
storm from the northwest soon passed
? of. About dark another, a rea.
thunderstorm, came up from the
southwest.
The rain fell in torrents, the thun.
der roared madly, and the lightning
flashed in zigzag streaks in all direc,
tons. One of the electric dart,
struck the ice-house of Bohlen, HusC
Il Co., situated on the high river bluff
in the lower part of the city, zeal the
foot of Butler street. The structure
was built of wood, chiefly cypress and
pine. 1t was a massive building,
standing fully sixty feet above sur
rounding objects, and its component
parts being of light, well seasoned
material was very combustible. The
ice-house was erected seven years age
at a cost of $4,000, and was one Of
the best of its kind in the South.
When the lightning flash hit the top
of the building it seemed to wrap
about the entire roof all at once. and
in a moment the whole upper surfaco
Of the building was in flames. The
descending rain-Aood only seemed
to add fuel to the flames,
and bystanders saw at a glance
that the building was doomed. The
lurid glare from the burning structure
brightly lit up the forests along the
Arkansas shore, three-fourths of a
mile off, and for several miles up and
down the river. The boats and water
craft in the harbor were also illumi-
mated and the scene was quite pictu-
rescue. Sparks and cinders rose high
in the air and were carried by the
winds over the city as far up as Mon
roe street, while the south side of
buildings on Main street reflected
their lighted walls very brightly. The
cupola on Odd Fellows Hall appeared
as if Illuminated from the inner side.
The fire burned for perhaps an hour,
after which it gradually died out,
leaving the ice-house a thing of the
past, and only a blackened mass of
ashes and debris remained on its site.
The total insurance on the ice
house was $500, divided as follows /:
Alliance, Of Boston, $500; Royal
Canadian, $500; Fire Association.
Philadelphia, $500; Boatman's, of
Pittsburg, $1,000. The building cost,
seven years ago, $4,000, and during
the past winter $1,000 worth of repairs
we're put upon the premises. The
house was ready to receive the APP
preaching supply Of ice, amounting to
10000 tons, which is expected to ar
rive here about the close of the pres
ent week. The office and stables. also
the wagons, mules and other necessary
appliances were all saved. The total
loss is estimated at about $4,000.
There was only about 100 tons of ice
on hand, Preparations have already
been made to store the coming supply
of ice, ample room having already
been provided. The small stock of
ice on hand was but little hurt, aud
the supply wagons went around to
customers as usual this morning.
On the first alarm of the fire the
engines turned out quickly, but two
failed to reach the field, and the other
failed to accomplish much good,
though extra exertions were used.
The stream seemed to turn to steam
as fast as it fell upon the raging flames.
Engine No. 2, Captain Raja, whether
from being bunglingly handled, or by
accident, upset near the corner OF
Shelby and Trezevant streets, from
whence 1t was righted, with but little
damage, about midnight. Engine No.
3 got fast in a mud-hole real the cor
ner of Main and Irrelevant streets, and
failed to reach the fire until the furi-
Gus element had completed its work.
Number | arrived in good season and
performed efficient service.
The live stock were extricated with
much difficulty from the stables near
the fire, the heat of which was so
intense that it could scarcely be borne.
For a time it was feared that they
could not be taken out, but the work
was finally accomplished without loss.
Property Destroyed by Lightning,
mn 49, III l.- Al.