The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-11
FIRES.
Burning of Hotel at Ansonia,
Conn.
Disastrous Prairie Fires In Ne
braska.
Thirty Buildings in Westminster,
Md, Burned.

New HAVEN, April 10.-The Ansonia HI,
tel, Ansonia, Conn, caught fire this morning
| at O'Clock, and was totally destroyed. Lost
| on the hotel estimated at $4,000, insurance
| $1,000. A barn attached to the hotel, and all
it's contents, except two horses, was also de.
| stroyed. At the time Of the fire there were
30 guests IN the house, including 13 members
OF q theatrical company, all OF whom escaped
with no serious injuries. The house was
owned by W, Ii. Drayton, and managed by
Nj. l.. Blackman. Mrs. Dayton loses large
amount OF lewelry. Tho fire is said to have
been inoendiary.
Another account OF the Ansonia fire says:
About IL o'clock last night shed adjoining
the Ansonia House was discovered 10 be in
flames, which speedily communicated with
the hotel. The boarders and servants OF the
hotei were aroused and attempted TO eseapea
many OF them succeeded in doing so by tn
stairways. So rapid was the spread OF the
tiame, however, that they had no. time IN
which TO make their toilets and fed TO the
streets IN their night clothing, Some Of the
inmates and tho servants were driven back
from the starways by the dense smoke which
rapidly filled the building, and made escape
by those avenues impossible. The firemen at
once saw the danger, and busted themselves
in the most heroic endeavors 10 save the terri
fed inmates through the windows BY means
OF ladders. Many were taken in safety from
the windows OF the fourth story. One female
domestic, about 18 years OF age, known as
Katie, but whose last name could not be ascer-
tanned, became terrified at the rapid approach
of thes flames, aud leaped from the fourth
story window TO the ground. She received a
fraeture OF the leg and numerous bruises. A
theatrical troupe of IL members who were
present in the town, having presented the
Maid OF Ares at the Opera House last ey-
ening, were inmates OF the hotel. These all
escaped without injury except one gentleman,
who received qaite severe wound in the
hand IN attempting TO remove his trunk. The
fire was very stubbornly fought, and after
lapse OF two hours the fremen succeeded in
subduing the flames The damage to the ho-
tel will amount to $1,000 or $1,000; fully in-
snred.
Prairie Fires IN Nebraska.
LINCOLN. Neb., April 10.-Tha most disas-
trous prairie fire ever in this section
ragged yesterday few miles north sof the city.
Mrs. Dalton, farmers wife, was suffocated
while fighting the fire. and many other acci-
dents are reported. Barns, houses. granaries
and haystacks were licked up by the flames.
It Is estimated that so square miles OF territory
Were burned over. The lire is still raging.
Contiagration at Westminster. Md.
WESTMINSTER, Md, April 10 "A disastrous
ire Is raging here. Eighteen buildings have
been burned and the fire is still burning. Loss
$40 600
stable. Four colored men-John CLARK,
Charles Wariield, Robert Goodwin and Han
son Dorsey-have been arrested for having set
ire TO the stable. IL Is said that while en-
gagged Ia game OF cards they set the place on
hre, whether accidentally or otherwise Is not
known. The belief is gaining ground that it
was intentional. as otherwise they could easily
have extinguished IL. The coronor's jury to-
night, inqniring into the cause cf the death Of
Thompson and Schaeffer. rendered verdict
that the stable was fired through the gross
negligence and reckless disregard Of life and
property By the parties under arrest. Owing
10 open threats Of lynching the jail is guarded
tonight BY y men, well armed. Quiet and
order prevail at present. but there is deep
feeling OF indignation against the man who
eaused such destruction OF property aud loss
of life.
BALTIMORE, April 10--The accounts from
lrem the ire at Westminster, state that il is
under control that so houses have been
burned and several persons consumed in them.
There Is no water supply atW Minister, and it
fell an easy prey 10 The flames. Two chemical
engine we're sent from this city at O'Clock
this morning The loss " III probably reach
100000
Fire in Boston.
BosToN, April l0.--Boot and shoe factory OF
Reilly, Pebble & 90, on Sprucs street was
agIped tn. lskss- urSk
ehinery worth altogether about SIS. 600. VIII
doubtless be ruined. Property fully insured.