The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-15

ruin itself. Through this cloud were spp.r-
hremen had for moment been seen
scurryng toward broadway just as the roaring
They were completely hidden from view. The smoke
and dust however. cleared away and then black and
battered group discerned at the corner of the
boys. is any one hurty' asked reporter.
no.. was the CHEEKY response; mo one so far"
But they mistaken.
SAVED.
Before the wall fell despite the ominous signs Of
warming to get out Of the way large group OF fas-
cinated spectators stood the doorway OF Thiess
Hotel No l27 Grand street. The bullying of the wall
was regarded for some minutes with feeling Of
terror which, however gave to of indifference,
each thought that long time must eapse before
the crash would come The wall went in all instant,
and the barroom of the hotel filled with crowd
of panic-stricken people. whose cries were drowned
in the thunder of the crashing ruins Smoke and
dust that extinguished some of the lights and debris
dashed through the fanlight and the open door. A
few who unable 10 gain the door were pinned
against the adjoining window, and nearly ton
weight OF the ruins fell in dangerous proximity. Five
minutes afterward they too sought shelter in the
saloon, scared ont of their wits and begrncd with
dust and cinders. One of the bricks from the
the time Inspector Murray and Captain McDon-
nell. Of the Eighth precinct. went toward Crosby
doorway barely in time to their lives OF
the dying bricks and rubbish striking all around
them.
rIREMASs DEATH
The shaky aud threatening condition of the walls,
sapped they were by the erce breath OF the fame,
caused orders to be given to the gallant remen to
drop the hose and run for their lives at
the slightest indication of danger. Fore
man Fariow. of Engine Company No. II.
a portion OF the building in Crosby street
where the flames seemed to have entire immunity
and where no stream OF water had yet reached He
Reilly, Denis J. Dorsn und j. Scaries caught mp
the hose and made rush along the sidewalk on
chief. A cry from multitude Of voices reached
their they looked up and saw the red roof sway
ing above them. searles dropped the hose instantly
sprang for the basement OF Hincks Brothers and
Reilly made desperate rush for the of Grand
street. Searles barely escaped, having inst cleared
the outer fringe OF tile falling hisss; Doran
crushed down into the basement, beneath mass of
buried beneath the huge heap Of debris tina. chokcd
up the Grand street corner. There not q
pause Of instant after the fall the part OF the
comrades of the stricken men. They rushed to the
spot without moments hesitation, and flung aside
the hot bricks the charred tinbers and smoking rub
bish.
TAKEN FROM THE RUINS.
Soon the bruised form of Doran lifted out and
conveyed to neighborins saloon. He was alive and
scarcely recognizable Another desperate effort was
made amid the ruins by eager and willing hands and
the dead body Of John Reilly was taken out. Ambu-
lnnces ON hand and the remains were sent ut
once to the Fourteenth precinct station.
Rcilly's body horribly crushed by the heavy
mass Of that fell on him He formerly belonged
to Engine Company No. ~ and was attached to No.
II only . month ago. He was young man, 2
family. His residence was No. 273 Delaney street.
Fireman Doran. also of Engine Company No. II, was
taken to Bellevue Hospital. Three members of
Engine Company No 81 were also reported missing.
Tho members OF No. II. however, said to have
been tho only reneu in the ruins when the wall fell.
POLICE ARRANGEMENTS
One Of the frst on the Inspector Murray.
He was near the corner OF Prince street whom the
changing OF the engine bell, the engine rushed
down broadway told him Of the conhagration. Fol
lowing at y double quick he saw the flames Just as
no oh he sfr sd
Almost simultaneously Captain Mcdonnell, of the
Eighth precinct. or hand. To send for reserves
minutes platoon of men had arrived. BY this
time the crowd had largely increased and
burning building Tie police force was hardly largo
enough to keep them back. and another reserve
ordered BY ten o'clock sections had arrived from the
Fifth. Eighth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth precincts
under the command respectively Of Captains Eaken.
Mcdonnell, Brogan aud Byrnes. the entire fierce
bering 15e men. or these Inspector Murray promptly
assumed command, stationng them in square sec
tons Grand street. Crosby street and broadway
Throughout the continuance of the fire they pre-
served order and kept proper space Tor the working
OF the frclnen.
THE INSURANCE PATROL.
While the fire Yves yet i'll its incpent state the
insurance patrol arrived. TO effect entrance and
begin the work OF preservation their first ast
story on the stirasd street side. Armed with their
rubber b!snkets they began the work Of
Covering the goods .s The rs began to grow
haste. but the flames were their master
in speed. for they were soon obliged to abandon
their undertaking and leave behind q hundred or
more of their rubber blankets. which. OF course.
were consumed in the general destruction soon
afterwards.
1UMULT IN CROSBY srREEr.
While the flames were duncing in fantastic glee
through the floors the OF the doomed build
Dsnte's inferno" The black smoke from
the throbbing engines rolled in heavy masses
the clear starlight above and Illuminated at intervals
by myriad sparks which fell steady rain Through
this pail of smoke might be Seen the dense sire
OF water which the frenen directed every floor.
and beoosth all the huge coils OF hose, like an
anaconda OF preposerous dimensions Occasionally
the streams were directed tbs buildings the
east eide of the street to cool them or process very
refreshing and beneficial to the buildings in ques-
ton. Afew doors above was small Italian colony
In frantic state of excitement. No chorus i'll the
most extreme of Italian meiodramaic operas ever
exhibited such intense feeling.
AN ORIGINAL CHORUS.
/ Not even when the Count Di Luna's RICH. hand
man tells his Mortified listeners how a bad gypsy
made broil Of his masters body did the Academy
show such symptoms Of terror
the fire ragged in their neighborhood last
night Tho childr:p of sunny Italy had just returned
aside their beloved hurly gurdies for the night 1t
was strange sight. those dark-browed faces
ss ana sna osapa Sssses By
tine terror-stricken monkeys beside them.
Cries of "Dio mic !.'Qucl fuoco 20 'Misercrc and
SALIVA me !" mingled strangely with the hoarse
shouts Of tho fremen ana the steady OF the
flames. All eyes turned toward the glowing
scene, where material sufficient to clothe half New
York was in state OF combustion. Now pillar
wrcathed in fire and shone more Respondent
than the most ambitious efforts Of the stage articer
in transformation scene. Again blue window
tain waved in the flames like a defiant flag for
long time tho. hot breath brcathed
upon and reduced 1t TO ashes. The telegraph wires
hung down in graceful festoons from the walls. and
tho adjoining roofs the dark forms of the laboring
firemen looked Ike gnomcs through the dark canopy.
THE SURROUNDINGS.
The wind from the southwest for more than
an hour threatened to involve in the red
ruin the house Immediately adjoining. and
the flames did indeed damage the roof To
considerable extent. In other respects. however.
It entirely escaped injury excepting. perhaps some
slight damage from water. The part OF the first
door Of this building is occupied by the Pacific Bank.
About ten o'clock private watchman, who was on
duty, sent Geographic despatch to gentleman who
has large pecuniary interest in the bank. inasmuch
~ it has the custody of all his money. Twenty
minutes afttrward he arrived the in
coupe by some getting past the vigent
don of policemen he rushed straight into the build
ing and sought to enter the bank: To a fireman who
mn M esl ~ obtain him he ,sxriaimed--