Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-04
AN EXPOSITION IN ASHES.
PITTSBURG THE SCENE OF THE
CONFLAGRATION.

The Total Loss $1,000, 900. $500, 900
of Which Falls on ExhiDitOrs-Small
Insurance Carried by the Company
The Oldest Locomotive in the Country
Among the Relics Burned.
PITTsBURG, PENN, Oct. 3.-AbOut >
O'Clock this morning the Exposition build
ing caught fire, and in twenty minutes
the entire structure, with the machinery
and floral halls, was in ashes. The fire
was first discovered in the engine-room, in
the machinery department, and, in order
not to frighten the citizens, a still-alarm
was sent in, and in this way the flames
got beyond control, so that before the fire
department reached the grounds the build
ings were almost burned down. When it
became known that it was the Exposition,
although it was so late, immense crowds
were on their way to the scene Of the con-
flagration.
The reflection from the fire lighted up
the country fUr miles around, and in tho
farthest end of the city a paper could
be read as easily as in daylight. The ex-
hibits consisted of all varieties of pro-
ducts and industries, including many
valuable relics, among which was the
Arabian-the old locomotive of the Balti-
more and Ohio RailrOad-which was the
first locomotive built in this country.
The total loss will probably reach
81. .000, 900. Secretary Patterson places the
value of the buildings destroyed at $780,
900, the insurance being $4,000. The eX-
hibitOrs Will sustain a loss of about $780,
600. An irreparable loss, however, was
occasioned by the destruction of the relic
department. The cash value of the, arti-
cles contained therein didn't exceed Sl0,-
600. but many cannot be replaced. The
Great Western Band lose a full set of
splendid instruments. In the safe were
| $4,000 cash, from Yesterdays admissions,
and Leyy's gold cornet. The safe has
been taken from the ruins, but the con-
tents have not vet been examined.
The attendance at the Exposition yes
terday was the largest of any of the pre-
viOus days in its history. The admissions
in the day and evening were $1,000, and
the crowd last night was so great that the
building was packed to its utmost. Had
the cOntlagratiOn occurred last night at 8
O'Clock, considering the rapidity with
which the flames spread, the loss of life
would have been appalling, as it would
have been almost impossible for even part
of the crowd to have escaped. The build
ings which were destroyed were erected
in 1870. The main building was GOO feet
long and $50 feet wide. Machinery Hall
was tUU D1 lJU lctl. Inc OlueI pullOllllSo
were small.
PTTTSBURG, Oct. 3, 10 p. M.-The safe
has been taken from the ruins. and its
contents were found uninjured, except that
LeVy's gold cOrnet was little tarnished.
Among the rumorS current concerning
the origin Of the fire is that it was caused
by an explosion of benzine in the boiler
room. The story is to the effect that
Professor Warner, ballOOnist,
and his assistant, Edward Will
liams, We're Oiling their balloon in the
boiler room when an explosion occurred
from careless handling of
the benzine which was being
used. The only evidence in support of
this theory is the fact that druggist sold
Warner three gallons of benzine. If this
should prove to be the true theory it
would raise an interesting question on the
payment of the insurance. Another
theory is incendiarism. Considerable bad
feeling has existed against the exposition
society by parties who lived in boat
house located near the exposition build
ings. which the society had removed,
much against the will of their occupants.
ST. ALBANs, VT, Oct. 3.-The Driscoll,
Arlington and GlimuTe Utooks wer dam
aged by fire this morning. and several
firms suffered losses by fire aud water.
The damage is placed at 100000, which
is fully covered by insurance.