The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-03-28
The Great Fire in Tokio-ThriIling Scene
in the Streets.
Japan Gazette. |

Japan Gazette.
So rapidly did the flames travel that it
was with ditfiulty the streets were cleared of
people before the houses ignited, and in so
many places was the fire raging that they
knew not which way to run. Anxious to
save futons and wearing apparel, the poor
creatures sailed forth from their homes with
bundles on their shoulders to fly they knew
not whittier. The streets became blocked
with the surging masses. Women and chill.
dren were trampled under foot, and many
who fell in the crowd never rose again; lit
tie children were seen looking for their par
ents, parents looking for their children, while
the air was rent with cries of rage, anguish,
and despair. Still they chung tenaciously
to the few worldly possessions they had sue
ceeded in bringing from their burning homes,
thereby almost completely blocking up the
narrow streets through which the masses
were slowly threading their way. At length
the police interfered and caused numbers to
throw their bundles into the rivers or any
where else out of the way, so as to facilitate
the escape of the people from the frightful
death which threatened them and which was
gaining on them fast. Sixty-eight streets,
containing IL, 464 houses, were burned, rem
dering over 10000 people homeless. 1t is
estimated that 80 people were trample to
death in the streets, and 100 wounded were
conveyed to the hospital. Long before the
fire reached the foreign settlement the resi-
dents felt anxious and began to pack up. But
this appears to have ben almost needless
task, for when the fire did reach them there
was no one to be found to convey their goods
and chattels away; this was particularly the
case when the residence of the missionary
ladies at No. IL ignited. Everything had
been got ready for fight, but had to
be left in the house, as no coolies
were to be found willing to undertake the
task of removing even the boxes of clothing.
The American Legation was in imminent
danger for some time, and Mr.. Clataud S
hotel ignited seven different times, but each
time the flames were successfully suppressed
The residence of Bishop Williams, Of the
American Episcopal Mission, was burned. 1t
was the property of the bishop and was I'M
insured; personal effects saved The Metho-
dist Episcopal church, partially insured, was
consumed; also the residence of the Rev.
Julius Soper, Of Georgetown, d. c., partially
lnsured-all personal effects lost uninsured.
Residence and school-house of Miss Whiting,
Miss Holbrook, of Washington, d. c., and
Miss Spencer, belonging to the same mission
as Mr.. Soper; also total personal effects OF
| the three ladies', uninsured; residence ana
personal effects of Miss Youngman; personal
effects of the Rev. Charles Bishop, recent
arrival in Japan, staying with the Rev,
Julius Soper; residence and personal effects
of Mr.. Z. II. House, building only partially
insured; residence of Mr.. Bogal Much
sympathy is felt in Toxic and Yokohama for
Mr.. Soper and the ladies connected with the
same mission, as they have lost everything
A fund for their benefit has been started
The foreign residents of Toxic have also
started fund in aid of the distressed
japanese