New-York tribune., 1879-01-20
WORK AMONG THE RUNS.
\ LARGE NUMBER OF CURIOUS SPECTATORS GATI
FRED ABOUT 1HE BURNED BCiLDlNGs-TH
MORs OF RECOVERING TIL SAFES.

\ LARGE NUMBER OF CURIOUS SPECTATORS GATH
FRED ABOUT TIE BURNED BriLDlNGs-THE
wORs or RECOVERING TIL SAFES.
1t was not until Saturday morning that
persons realized how destructive had been the tire that
ragged III Worth and TnOnas-sts throughout the pre-
ced NJ night At an early hour thousands gathered III
the vicinity OF the fire, which yet burning hcrcey
though well under control, and eagerly watched the
fremen "a they poured floods OF water on tho
smou'derng ruins. The smoke was still dense,
and i: poured ont OF the cellars which
lay piles Of half.burned bales OF cloth
tnat lad fallen from the stories above. The water
from the engines. eight OF which at work in the
vicinity, thrown on the shapeess heaps Of wood,
iron, coth and bricks and thick clouds OF steam
blown into the faces OF the iremen. The walls still
stood ey did the night before and by the apparent
Teckessuess of the tremen II seems that there Is little
fear that they will fall During the greater part OF the
day travel on Broadway and Church st. between Thomas
and WOrtli-sts WAS prevented by squads OF policemen
under Captain EaLias of the Fifth Precinct Stages
were Obliged to pass through Centre-s, and the cars
that run up town through Church-s transferred
the West Broadway track. Late IN the day. however,
the streets opened Chiefs Bonner and Bates
present during the day directing the efforts OF the
There were four engines situated at various points
adjacent to the yesterday nOon but at O'Clock En-
gine No. returned to It's house at Chambers and
Ccntrests and three engines charge OF Chief Bonner
renamed during the afternoon The crowd that
gathered look at the OF Friday night.
very different yesterday from that of Saturday On the
latter day hundreds Of business men aud merchants
who have INTEREST at stake met and discussed in
serious way The possibilities Of stopping fire In
case a high wind blowing. Yesterday. however,
curiosity drew thrOngs Of working people to the
scenc-mcn and wOmon who could not Cit away from
the shops on Saturday TIE picture vas dismal indeed
Tie fronts OF the walls on Thcmas-st. were
covered with ice and hanging and cracked nil
lars told OF the danger that menaced the passer-by
WUrkmen busy IN dragging the blackened safes from
ruins The safe ofVan volkenburgh, Leavitt d Co was
kent the bas, ment beneath the sidewalk. member
the firm who experimenting ts removal yester-
day said that AL the valuable books and papers were
contained in the safe which Appeared 10 be unniured
II was loaded upon truck and carted 10 the new store
which the firm has taken Other smaller safes were
taken from No. GS Thomas-S. the frst floor 0f which
was occupied by william Simpson Sons 4 Co. The only
articles in the OF the Messrs Simpson that ap-
penrcd 10 bc unnlurcd were c0l OF hose carefully
tied up and connected with wall pipe. and an auto
matte fire box Just inside the door In the north
east corner tho floor had fallen through and a
view the smoking ruins could be had as tar Worth
st. The upper stories Of the building completely
wrecked
on Worthst the sidewalk in front OF No. Co the lower
floor aud Easements OF which were occupied by john
Slade Co.. was covered with huge pile OF cloths that
Il dozen hauling up roll ~ roll from the base
ment Volumes Of smoke lled the cellars, and the men
groped their way about III their zeal to get out the
damaged goods. In the rear OF the same store WAS
mass of sEawls wooens, ana all kinds OF dress goods
half burned that had fallen from the upper floors.
were engaged In sorting them. rs they be-.
loneed TO different owners. large portion OF the
stock IN the White building, al Church ana Worth
sts was st protected by the rubber coverings OF the
Insurance Department. The 'front.' Of the building
,f hrit
had from the upper stories when they
in danger. On the sidewalks. too, were piles OF the
same material WOrkmen were replacing the TN on the
roof ON the roofs upon the other sid OF the smoking
RUNS readJustIng the telegraph wires that
had been broken
Chief Bonner stood viewing the scene coInpacently.
Have you heard any theory To the origin OF the
fire r. ho was asked. "Norhng except the usual eN.
panatiOn when fire breaks out In such building IL
started IN the thifd story yonder Probably tie Occu-