The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-02
THE FIRE AT SAVANNAH.
Fight Bodies Burned Beyond Recog
milton in the Flames.
The Loss Estimated at More than S. ,OoO,-
OOO-Scenes and Incidents OF the
COnflaGration.

SAVANNAH, Nov1. The losses from Wednes-
days fire are estimated to exceed 81 0OO,-
900. The insurance will probably not cover
more than one-third OF the loss. The char
red remains of five bodies in addition to the
three recovered last night, were removed
from the debris of burned warehouse to-
day. They were found lying together under
the wall, and only few feet distant from
the gateway. The body of colored woman
was also found among the ruins on Sachem
street, adjacent to a warehouse. Seven
bodies were negroes. The remains
of white man were recognized as James
Cash, connected with a large drayage firm.
The bodies were burned almost beyond rec
ognltion, and it was principally by the ar
ticles found upon them that they were iden-
titled. The sight was sickening AS the burned
and unrecognizable remains were removed
from the debris, they were placed in boxes
and removed to the morgue to await the ac-
ton of the coroner and burial by their
friends 1t is believed that other bodies are
still buried among the fallen walls, and the
hremen are still searching. The burnt dis
trlct was visited by thousands to-day. The
sufferers made homeless and destitute by the
hre are being cared for by the city. A re-
lief fund amounting to 1000 has already
been raised, and the Secretary of War has
thrown open the United States barracks for
thelr use. The ruins are still smoldering
but there Is no danger of fresh outbreak.
The burned district lies in the western por-
hon OF the city and IS known as "Yama-
craw." The section in ruins was bounde don
the west by Canal street and the north by
River street. on the east by West Broad
street and on the south by Farm street 1t
was almost exclusively occupied by negroes,
ana the houses were nearly all one and two
story wooden structures, interspersed here
ana tnere with groggeries, small groceries,
and brick dwellings. The strong wind which
was blowing carried the flames from one TO
the other of these tinder-boxes with great
raplolty, and every street was a pathway OF
ire. The tiremen were driven before the
flames from hydrant to hydrant in quick sue
cession, and their efforts to check the ad-
vance OF the conaagration with water
seemed almost foolish. Only four engines
were available, and the department. was in
OF coping with the work before
them. Aid was asked of Charleston
and Augusta, but one engine and 1000 feet
OF hose was the only assistance obtainabIe
from those cities, and it arrived too late to
be OF service, except as relief for the weary
men who were on duty among the flaming
ruins. The blowing up of the buildings
was suggested, but although the safety of
the whole city was at one time considered
leopardized, the expedient was not resorted
to. Fearing that the negroes would become
intoxicated and riotous, the mayor called
out the military, and a Gordon of a thou
sand soldiers was established. No disorder
resulted, however Several large cotton
warehouses, full to the roof, the Central cot
ton compress, the Central railroad wharves
and other wharves; crowded with valuable
freight were saved only by the most super
human eXertions. All shipping sought
safety by dropping down the river. There
were, of course, the usual narrow escapes,
perilous exploits, and other similar incidents
attendant on such extensive confagations