Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-31
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

CHICAGO, Dec. 30.-A fire started at about
4:30 o'clock this evening in the Crozier
blook at No. III Monroe street, and before
1t could be gotten under control over half
q million dollars worth Of property had
been destroyed by flame and water. The
loss was not confined to the building in
which the fire originated, but extended to
the Montauk block which is adjacent on
the east, and to the Heck block, which ad-
] oIns the Crozier block on the west.
The loss on the latter buildings, how
ever, was caused chiefly by
the water flowing from the burning block.
Tho first warning of the are which was
resolved reached the headquarters OF the
insurance patrol on Monroe street through
the medium OF the mercsrial alarm. AS
soon as the patrol company reached the
building superintendent Buliviukle made
8 hasty Investigation of the premises in
order to positively locate the fro. which he
found to be burning ferosly in the rear
portion OF Shober & Carqusville's
lthographing establishment on the third
floor. 1t was apparent that a
c~onfagretion vas imminent, and Bull
Wrinkle lost no time in turning in an alarm
for the regular departments, from the pri-
vate box at Haverly's theater directly
across the street. Marshal Swenie was
the first member of the department to
reach the fire. He, without a moments
hesitation, turned in the second ana third
alarms, and then sent q special c1ll for
ten additional engines, securing the hook
and ladder, stand pipe and extension lad
der companies and twsnty-seven steam
back to wait as a reserve at the
different houses il the central
portion of the city. The remainder
pumped g perfect deluge of water. Forty
different lines Of hose were all directed on
the flame. Two extension ladders were
erected in front Of the burning building.
and by their means fremen assembled 10
tta roof. Others went to different floors
of this Aontauk block, and poured streams
into the burning building through the
windows which faced north. 4 majority
of the men worked in the network of sl-
legs which run IN the rear Of the essab-
iishment. Despite the enormous quanti-
ties OF water thrown upon the flames the
latter burned fercer and steadier all the
time, slowly ascending and spreading, IN
| til it seemed IS if the whole building and
sontents were doomed to total destruction.
The Crozier block is an SIP shaped
structure. 1t has q frontage of thirty-two
feet upon Monroe street and a total depth
of 200. The rear portion of the building
for liz feet is 120 feet vide. and evt~nds
east to an alley running bel ween the FIRST
National Bank building anu .-nouvauk
block. The first loo and basement were
occupied by Bradner, Smith & Co., whole
sale paper dealers, the second floor by the
National Printing company, of which G.
81. Mcdonnell is president: tho third and
fourth floors by Sh0ber Il Carquevilles,
photographers. The first named firm had
an immense stock of paper IN store, while
the National Printing company and Shobsr
d Carqaeville had on hand an unusually
large amount of finished work, ink and
other paraphernaiia necessary to their
business. The rear portion of the build.
ing where the fire broke out, with the ex-
ception OF the first floor, was used for ma.
chinery OF the printing and lithograph.
ing presses, therefore creating danger OF
that part of the building falling. This
danger, added TO tbs binding and %suffuca-
ting smoke which filed not only all the
buildings about but made the atmosphere
in the vicinity of the fire almost unbeara.
Bile, had the effect of retarding the
operations Of the freBnen to g
great extent. At one time the men who
were working in the Aontask building
were compelled to temporarily withdraw
on account of the dense smoke. The ma
terial in the room where the fire was burn.
ing was of an exceedingly infammebIc
nature. The water which was poured into
the building did not seem to nave any
effect whatever. For fully forty-five min
utes the firemen kept up the contest with
the fiery element without any apparent
result. About 5 O'Clock il was thought
that the big Montauk building was on
fire, and about TIE same time the flames.
as if in defiance of the efforts OF the
tiremen, burst through the windows on the
north side of the Crozier building, through
the roof, lighting up the darklizg clouds
with q lurid glow. In a few minutes after
ward the roof of the rear portion of the
building fell in on the fourth floor with 6
loud crash, carrying that floor and contents
to the floor below. After that, however
the firemen had little trouble in keeping
the fire under control, and worked st
steadily that it was SION under complete
subsection.
An incident which created the greatest
excitement was the explosion of some Of
the National Printing company's ink, and
there were fears that q number of persons
were injured. The explosion was not q
severe one, and nobody was hart.
TIE LOSSES AND INSURANCE
as far as can be ascertsined are about:
National Printing company, 100000
insurance, S180,0o0.
shober & OarqVeville, S25o,O0o; insur
ance, $4,000,
Bradner, Smith & Co., $2Oo,OoO; insur-
ance 100000.
Crozier Brothers, building, 100000,
insurance, $4,000.
j. B. Jefferyy, $4,000; no insurance.
Peck block, $4,000; covered by insur
ance.
Mentauk block and its occupants
$4,000.
The National Printing company, which
occupied the third floor, will suffer nearly
a total LOGS. Their loss will be greatly
enhanced because Of the loss of valuable
cuts and and material, which will serious
ly cripple them. Beside having a great