Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-02

hAENEAEhACAs
A DAsTARDLY ACT.
When the fire was in progress on Joa- |
chin street, east Of Farm, Color
ed man. who said his name
was Pollard. appeared about dusk
in the rear OF the residence OF MIS-.
Claudia Gibbons, where two buckets
were being worked by means OF ropes
from the piazza shed to the ground, ana
addressed very insulting language 10 the
inmates of the house. He said ne hau
been waiting for years 70 see
ground. A Young woman was seen
on the shed pulling the filled ouckets 70
the roof, and to her the rascal addressed
his threats. though she did not know VINO
the man was. The building was IN I'M
minent danger, and in fact was surround
ed by fire, but the iend, utterly regardless
of the Importance of saving residences,
finally drew his knife and cut b0th the
ropes. The Washington steam Engine
Company saved this and the ADJOINING
buildings from destruction after most
persistent combat with the names.
WORK OF THE POLICE.
One of the most remarkable features
incident to the fire was the noticeable
good order which prevailed throughou3
the city during the entire afternoon ana
night. In conversation with General AL
derson, Chief of Police, TO whose rare eA-
ecutive ability the entire absence OF ais
order of any description is to be IN large
measure attributed, it was learned by an
attache of the NEWS that but three arrests
had been recorded in the twenty-iour
hours ending at 6 O'Clock last night.
Soon after it Became evident that con-
iagration was inevitable, General Ander-
son issued orders to close every Dar-roOm
in the vicinity, and to insure their OBEY
ance, had watch placed near every uOOI-
way to prevent any one from entering A
disobeyance on the part OF the proprl-
etOrs subjected them TO arrest ana lhcaT-
ceratiOn in one of the cells at the ponce
barracks. 1t is said to their credit :hat
none of the prOprietors demurred at the
order. Wednesday night force OF Zen
men We're detailed TO duty around the
burned district, General Anderson IN
person and his aides being IN command
throughout the greater part OF the night
! The men were instructed to render the
| destitute all the aid in their power, in ad-
dition to protecting their property from
! the depredatiOns of any plunderers who
might chance to put in an appearance.
| The burning OF the electric light works,
I as already known, left the streets OF the
| CITY in darkness throughout the entire
night. Fearing that the opportunity for
robbery afforded by the lack OF
light might be improved by
/ diversions. the night watches were adj
monished to use extra vigilance in max
| ing their rounds and in shadOwing suspi-
! ciOus individuals whom they might sur
( prise skulking around on their beats. As
! an evidence that the patrolmen needed
| their caution it may be related that when
/ a reporter of the News reached the corner
of Barnard and South Broad streets at ) 30
U on hi yf~n
home from his duties, he found patrol
man removing the contents of letter box
which some careless carrier had neglected
to lock after making his last collection
Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds OF other
instances evidencing similar Watchful-
ness on the part of the men might be men
toned as establishing their efficiency had
the enviable reputation of the force not
been so long an established fact.
THE MILITARY PATROL.
After the dismissal at II o'clock We'd
nesday night of the detail of twenty-five
men Of the First Regiment, under COM
mand of Captain Robert Falligant, two
lieutenants and two nOn-commlssloned
officers, the only military on duty was the
Georgia Hussars. The company placing
itself at the service of General Anderson,
a detachment of twelve men, under COM
mand of Lieutenant Johnston was
selected to patrol the streets OF the
city throughout the night. This
they did with un1agging zeal until
early in the morning. The balance OF the
command. under Captain Hull, remained
under arms at the police barracks until
| O'Clock, when they were released from
further duty by General Anderson. The
retirement of Lieutenant JOhnstOn's de-
tachment marked the final withdrawal
from duty of the military, the services OF
none of the companies being considered
necessary yesterday.
THE MAYOR.
During the fire his Honor Mayor Lester
was seen moving from place to place d.
recting what should be done. As the nre
approached West Broad street he estab-
lished his headquarters at the junction
of that street with Joachim. and sitting
on his horse, directed the people IN their
efforts to keep the flames from crossing
the street. He ordered number OF
houses on Indian street lane to be
pulled down, and concentrating
the available streams of water on
the buildings opposite Tynan's foundry,
when II was found that the latter could
not be saved from the devouring element.
| This was the last hope of checking the
advance of the leaping flames. In few
minutes the foundry was entirely de-
voured, and every one present drew
the flames had not crossed the street.
The fire was at last headed of. During
this trying time the Mayor sat on his
horse, quietly giving his orders, and look
ing every inch the man to cOmmah'.
OPENING NEW STREETS IN YAMACRAW.
1t was reported yesterday that the city
authorities were having under cOnsidera.
ton the remodeling of the thorOughtares
in the burned district. There has been a
general desire on the part of our business
| community to nave a wide street leading
| from West Broad street to the Ogeechee
canal. EX-MayOr Wheaton during his
term Of office urged this measure as a
commercial necessity, but nothing was
done for the reason that it would cost too
much money Joachim street can now be
easily widened on its south side
and opened through to the Ogee-
chez canal. River street can also
be widened at but a small compar-
alive cost. In fact, lot owners in
view of the enhancement of their proper
" by the improvement, could we'll afford
to give tine land. We don't mean to say,
however, that anybody will do that
Mill street. Indian street, and Indian
street lane might well be closed up, and
one wide street, extending directly east
and west, opened instead. Now that nearly
all this district has been reduced to ashes
ON the ldl6 leIIlOlt CdldlllNf- tnC Guy du-
thorities can, by prompt action, make the
much needed improvement. Will not one
live member of the board take hold and
have this matter attended to before it is
too late!
SYMPATHY FROM SISTER CITIES.
The Nelrs and Courier of Yesterday
morning expressed the sympathy of the
citizens of Charleston: "Al Charleston
svmpathizes with Savannah in the terri
bic loss inflicted by the fire yesterday.
For many hours the prospect was gloomy
indeed. but soon after O'clocka telegram
from Mayor Lester brought the welcome
news that the fire was under control.
Southern cities are i'll able to bear the
strain of severe CONGREGATIONS, and the
more need there is, therefore, for such
cities to stand together and help each
other. Any aid that Charleston can give
will be most cheerfully bestowed"
The Chronicle, in reporting the sending
of the Augusta firemen in response to the
telegram of Mayor Lester, says: 'The
town was as much stirred up by the news
as If the blaze had been at its own doors.
1t was enough. however, to know that the
beautiful city of Savannah was in danger,
and that sympathy which has always
lived in the Fountain for the Forest City
could have brought up as many volun-
teers as sprang to its assistance during
the siege of 80. 1t is to be hoped that Sa-
vannah did not suffer as badly as was at
first expected"
CAPABILITIES OF THE BARRACKS.
Through the courtesy of the Sergeant in
charge a reporter OF the News was per-
~,srn-r