New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-02
THE FARRELL BLOCK BURNED.

sEyENTY-PIVE GIRLS NARROWLY ESCAPE ROASTING
TO DEATH-Two KILLED-PKCUNIARY LOSS
NEARLY 100000.
CHICAGO, Dec. This afternoon fire was
discovered in the Farwen Block the largest business
buiding in this city, bounded by Adams, Market
and Monroe SITS. and the river The great
structure however h broken by heavy rewalls running
through it, bat for which the entire building would have
been swept by the flames. The fire confined to Nos
16s and 40 Markets. the three lower stories of which
were occupied by Metzler Brothers, notion dealers and
the four upper stories by Beak & Bucher furriors
The latter firm employ nearly $50 girls, all but seventy
five of whom had gone home before the fire was dScov
cred Those remaining In the building became aware Of
the approach OF the Names by the smoke seek
ing its way upward from the lower floors.
panic ensued among the young women
main doorway leading 10 the lower floors locked and
barred They went back to the fifth Oor ana number
made their along the windOw]edges on the outside
of the building to a point beyond one
of the protecting Prevails into the adjoining store
weather made their way to the escape but. through
at viewing the flames bursting from the building
Immediately below dropped to the sidewalk ana were
instantly killed Great confusion regned in and about
ne 9Gs a R the PemaHGs employees had escaped
from the structure; but the upper floors were hed
been unable to make search fears were still enter
tanned that further loss or life had occurred. 49,, .
Of their loss and insurance not known at this hour
Beck Bueher had $4,000 in stock and carried $4,000
wholesale hats and caps Occupying the store Immediately
adjoining carried 100000 in stock, which was badly
damaged by water, but fully covered by insurance.
The ireUen made search in the upper floors OF the
burned building soon adr 10 o'clock and II Is now be-
leved certain that other casualties than those re-
ported occurred. Metzlerss loss Is estimated at from
$4,000 TO $4,000; insurance. $4,000 Beck d Bu-
chers loss will be between $4,000 aud S13,OOO Tie
loss on the building is $4,000; fully insured
While nearly every engine in the city had been called
into service at the Farwe Block fire alarm was sounded
from the Office of The Ecening Journal, on Dearborn-s
between Madison and Monroe and before the arrival of
the first steamer on the scene the flames
dows in the upper story OF i.s line
stone Office building. The flames bad made rapid
progress despite the best efforts OF the department AT
IL O'clock when the fire seemed fairly under control the
three upper stories had been very thoroughly burned out
and the entire structure completely water-soakcd
The working outfit Of the paper with the possible eXGep
ton OF the presses, was completely destroyed
The Journal building line tOurstory stone stTuc-
ture erected TO replace the destroyed in the great
fire. and taken possession OF by the paper in APRIL
1873 The j. Il. Jeffrey Printing Company, one
OF the largest show printing establishments in The country
occupied portion OF the building and suffered almost
total loss, which. It is estimated. viii approximate
100000. The Journal and the printing company both
carried adequate Insurance.