Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-24

every body in the town turned out and gath
cred At the scene of destruction. Intense ex-
element prevailed, but of course nothing could
elements. The. livid flames a. they shot athwart
the sky and seized the hapless buildings in
their fierce embrace cast a solemn and awe.
inspiring glare upon the helpless and panic
stricken crowd. No facilities for battling tho
tiames and resisting their onward course
was at hand. Not even bucket brigade
could bo organized on account
of the want of water. The few wells near at
hand, and which afforded the only means of
getting water, were inadequate, and from the
very start all hope of successful resistance
seems to have died out in the breasts of the
terror stricken citizens. Indeed, from the
outset, it became manifest that nothing but a
steam engine and plenty Of water could ade-
| quately cope with the rapidly spreading conda-
grafton. The citizens had long talked of the
Importance and necessity of making provision
against fire, but az in hundreds Of similar cases.
nothing had been done, and in the twinkling
of IA eye and apparently without moments
forewarning, the emergency had arisen which
presumed or fancied security. Tho mistake of
the past was seen in an instant, but too late
to admit of remedy. From the time the fire.
was first discovered until the last building was
but = mass of smoking ruins, scarcely an hour
had elapsed. Indeed, many now estimate the
time in which the flames completed their de-
vastating circuit as not exceeding thirty or at
most forty-dve minutes.
Tho fire. as above stated, originated in tho
rear Of the Niskern hotel, and is supposed to
have started in pile of corn stalks adjoining
the stable. The theory most generally &C.
from spark from passing freight
train which was blown by tho prevail
ing west wind and lodged in the heap of in
hanmable matter above spoken of. Once
started tia progress of the Ere was 30 rapid
that the citizens did not oven bring out their
hook and ladder company, which il the only
apparatus provided by the city authorities for
use in similar emergencies.
Upon the arrival of ths Minneapolis steamer.
the work of destruction was complete, and of
course nothing remained to be dune Had the
steamer arrived in time it is doubtful whether
she could have extended much aid on account
of the scarcity of water.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
Great credit should be awarded to Samuel
Hendryx, young man, who got on the sharp
roof of the three story building of q. R. Grie-
bic and hanging on the edge of his
slippery pinnacle, caught and drew up
the hose with which the roof and cornire
of the structure was kept wetted until the un-
fortunate veering of the wind rendered abor-
tive all human efforts to save it.
Henry Vollmer, fifteen year old nephew Of
MIR. Grebie, when his uncle broke open the
door of the store, rushed in and seizing large
keg Of powder, carried it off and
deposited it in safe locality, q quarter of
mile away.
At the outbreak of the fire there were some
fve er six barrels Of kerosene on tho sidewalk
in front of the store. These were taken and
carried safely off as soon a. tho fire was dis.
covered.
Fred. Griebie, Jr., also nephew Of the pro-
prletor, who had been suffering with the
himself in three weeks, got up and
came down apparently we'll, but the excitement
proving two much for him he was carried off in
faiuting condition.
The Griebie building, the only three story
structure destroyed, has history. It was
built by Major Donaldson, and was subse-
quently purchased by Gov. W. r. Marshall, who
disposed of it to Mr.. Griebie. Originally it
was but half the size having been enlarged
until it had become one of the
handsomest and most capaeious store build
1ngs outside Of st. Paul. II had been reftted
and veneerad with brick only few months ago.
This fact and its size undoubtedly contributed
towards saving the entire city from de-
struction. 1t had been occupied by Mr. Griebie
only about two months and rep
resented the accumulations of tkis gentleman
for four years. It il a pity that it should have
bsen swept away in an instant, and it is
to be hoped that the proprietor, who is both
energetic and industrious, will be enabled
promptly to repair his losses.
Mr.. Griebie is we'll known in st. Paul. where
he has many friends, and is recognized as a
man of sterling integrity. Whether he will re-
sumo business is as yet unknown.