The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-03-01
HOLOCAUST OF DRY GOODS.
The Esta bYtshnIent OF H. *
Sorduu Furnishes Food for
HE Fiery EIenent-.-A
Block Saved by the
Gallant Eircnien.

Gallant EIremen.
At 800 o'clock yesterday morning, the
cry Of fire was given on AUSTIN street,
and few minutes thereafter the sharp,
ouicK notes of the engine house bell and
the hoarse whistle of the water compa-
ny combin j to rouse the citizens and
| tiremen from their stumble incident to
the wee sma' hours of the morning. The
fire WAS located by the smoke issuing
| from the north corner OF the wholesale
and retail dry goods house of L. II. dor
dan, more Familiarity known as the
"kentucky Cash Store" The firemen
responded quickly to the call and III II
few moments the hose carriages were
being pulled through the mud
and slush by an incon-
| gruous mass of -emen and
citizens. The earring. logged up on
| Fourth street and iii the alley in the
rear of JomIan's came to complete
stand-still, it being impossible by the
united efforts of the assembled company
to bulge it apeg. The gallant company
run off the hose from the carriage reel
and shouldering carried it "vi ct armies"
| to a position convenient to the rear of
the building, which by this time was Il
mass of flames and burning debris III
the back part. The water company was
on time with strong and healthy stream
Of water and the handsome way III
which it was manipulated by the tiremen
resulted in the salvation of the block.
The adjacent buildings, one occupied by
| $. B. Humphreys, grocer, and the
other by Tom Padgitt's saddlery estab-
Eshment We're in great danger and
seemed to have been saved by miracle.
Bets were freely circulating, ten to one,
that both these buildings would sue
cumb to the fury and power Of the fiery
element. The miracle performed was
accomplished by the agency of the fire
department, and thus for the twentieth
time have these gallant protectors of our
property added fresh laurels to the list
Of brilliant achievements that now Ell
circles their brOW5. The fremeu accord
full credit and extend their thanks to
the citizens for so readily responding to
their calls for belp, and were it not that
special men IN Of good works done
would indefinitely prolong this account
it would here be made. The dam
age to the Humphreys and Padgitt
establishment were slight indeed com
pared with the damage that might have
been caused, that OF Mr.. Humphreys be
ing so small as to draw the remark
from him that he would present no bill
to the insurance authorities. Mr.
Padgitt estimates his damage, caused by
water, at S75. The building occupied
by Jordan's is the property OF
j. I. Walton, and is insured for $4,000, and
worth at the least calculation 5000
The stock of Mr.. Jordan is almost 4
!, total loss, and is insured for $4,000
; $4,000 of which is held by the agency
} of Downs & Fort, and the remaining
$4,000 by j. 3. Winslett, esq. A fail
valuation of the stock of Mr.. Jordan
consisting of dry goods, clothing
boots and shoes, hats, caps and notions
Is little in excess of $4,000
) The origin of the fire Is unknown and
!, IAN be accounted for under no other
hypothesis than that Of accident. The
presence Of the flames were first dis
covered IN the second story, where there
was neither fire or lights. The second
| story was connected with the first, by Il
: pair OF stairs and then acted as con
ductor for the progress Of the flames on
the first floor Mr.. g. NJ. Downs was in
charge of the burned building and goods
yesterday, the latter, OF which are icing
stored to await the company adiuster
The loss falls heavily upon Mr.. Jordan
who has splendid trade and profta-
bic business. We hope soon to see him
re-estabiished and i'll the enjoyment OF
! his former business prosperity.