Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-16
A FIERY FURNACE.
The Burniog Of the FIRST Presbl terian
Church Immediately After Service
Sunday Night.
The Loss aud Insurance-HistOry Of
the thureh-Steps Already Taken
TO Renew Divine Services.

A most disastrous and lsmentable fire
occurred Sunday night, by which the First
Presbyterian church, the Rev. Eugene Daniel,
pastor, was almost totally DESTROYED. The
fire was first discovered about $40 o'clock,
and it was not long before ths entire church
was 10 flames. The alsrm Cf FIRE drew an
immense crowd OF peOpe, and there was
general feeling Of regret when it was learned
where the FIRE Was. Service had
JUST BEEN CONCLUDED
in the lecture-room, which is located on the
frtt floor The Rev. Mr.. Daniel had hardly
retired 10 his home, which is next TO the
church, when the sexton came running over
and said he thought the church WAS on fire.
He had discovered a circle Of fame on the
ceiling.
Mr.. Daniel hastily ran over to the church,
and saw a streak of fire over The furnace.
room. The sexton was immediately dis
patched 10 sound the alarm. About eight
minutes after the FIRE was discovered the
whole upper part of the
CHURCH WAS IN FLAMES
Chief Clesry is of the opinion that the FIRE
spread between the ceiling and the roof. In
the back part OF the building was hollow
column, and it is pretty certain that the fire
got into this and was drawn rapidly up TO
the ceiling. Many are OF the opinion that
the building was burnipg while The csDgre-
cation was at service. Two young men de-
clare that they heard a sort of
RUMBLfNG SOUND,
before the service wss over which they could
not account tor. Mr.. John f RaDdle stated
that when he arrived on the scene the floor
was falling in. Mr.. Daniel does not believe
that the building was sire during service.
The flames spread rapidly toward the center
OF the building. The fremen managed the
FIRE excellenly. Their efforts were of course
directed toward the saving Of the walls and
preventing the spreading OF the flames. BY
9:10 o'clock pm. the FIRE was under control.
As soon as Mr.. Daniel saw how dangerous
the hre was, he
SENT HIS FAMILY
TO the house of neighbor. He refused TO
have his furniture moved, trusting TO Provi-
dence for its safety. The even; showed th at
his confidence was not misplaced. He did
not loee any Of his property. The church
Bible and the small organ were saved. The
church bell, which probably had a sweeter
chime than any other in town, fell through
the tower and was broken. 1t was bell 10
which the members OF tue church had be.
come attached. The burning of the church
will be
A SEVERE BLOW
to the congregation, as the dearest memories
twined about it 1t was associated in the
minds of the older members with soul-tryiDg
days as we'll IS with the tenderest and most
Joyous occasions The entire inside OF the
building, with the furniture and the organ,
was burned. The walls were left almost
entire. The origin of the FIRE must have
been the furnace, which was heated up more
lhan usual in order to make the church
warm.
THE LOSS AND INSURANCE.
The estim tied loss by the Ere is S25, 900
or S30, 1000, unless the brick salls, which AZ g
yet standing, can be utilized in rebuilding,
in which Gaze perhaps $4,000 or $4,000
would replace it. There was but $4,000 in
surance on the church, all laid in the Man
chester (Eugland) Company, of which c. B
Wellf0 nd e IN are aOertS