The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-09
kilograms.
GALVESTON.

GALVESTON, August From signal service
maps it appears that within the last three or
four days rain has fallen at almost every
point i'll the cotton belt except i'll Texas. Not
a drop has fallen at any point in the state
reached by the signal service for several days,
and need of it is much felt. An observer saws
there has been nothing so closely approaching
a water famine in this city since 1875 The
drOuth is already impreSSing people fOrcibly
with the utility OF water supply not wholly
dependent upon the caprices of the clouds.
The Pavilion. Galveston'S favOrite beach re-
sort, is in ashes. Fourteen minutes sufliced
for its destruction. About O'Clock this after
noon thin column of smoke was noticed ariS-
ing on the south side of the building, and a
moment later the flames flashed upward, The
engines turned out promptly, but sand holes
and bad places retarded their progress. When
they arrived the Pavilion was a mass of
whirling smoke and blaze, and several build
ings opposite and alongside had been sucked
into the cOnflagration.
Robert Spranger snare drummer of the Pa
YiliOn band, appeared at a window in one of
the turretS. He had been asleep in the tower
and seemed dazed at the danger. Three times
the unfortunate man came INTO view, and
people shouted at him to jump for his
life. He at last got upon the window
sill and threw himself forward as if diving into
water, In the air he made a full turn and
landed squarely on the plank sidewalk ON his
back. He did not speak, and i'll few minutes
was dead: His injuries by fire would have
proved fatal even without the fatal jump, as
his shoulders, breast. ears and face, especially
his nose, were terribly burned.
The wind was blowing briSkly and great Gin
ders were carried quarter of a mile across the
city and seven different houses were ignited;
but all escaped complete destruction, though
several were considerably damaged. The Pa
ylllOn Itself, WurZlOn'S restaurant, Riefef'S
saloon, Batchelder's refreshment place and
various establishments connected with the Pa
Viliop, were burned to ashes.
The origin of the fire is supposed by some to
have been the explosion of gasoline stove,
while others say lighted match eareleSsly
thrown on sun-waTmed rosin caused the CON
tiagration.
The Pavilion was erected for the SSengerfeSt
meeting of 1881. That festival, as well as the
Democratic state convention and other busi-
ness and social events that have marked its
history, are well remembered. 1t was built
for the pleasure and recreation of the masses,
and has served its purpose well. Considering
the deprivation OF enjoyment and comfort to
res result, it IS doubtful If price could be set on
the structure. To many, especially the less
well-tO-dO classes, it was an only source
of recreatiOna The building at the time of its
first opening represented a cash value of $751;
ono, but improvements have been made until
it stood to the City railroad company, by whom
1t was owned, as worth $50, coo. 1t was insured
in the agency of James SOrley. On building,
S17.500. Stock and fixtures uninsured. Other
losses aggregate S120O; insured for $500.
At a special meeting of the directors of the
City railroad company this evening it was de-
cided TO make immediate arrangements for the
erection of Il temporary platform on the beach,
where summer night concerts will be given for
the remainder OF the season, and steps were
taken 10 invite plans ana speclncatlOnS Tor the
erection of handsome and large pavilion as
soon as possible, on the site of the one des-
troyed.
The grand p no was saved in a somewhat
damaged condition. Both the bear and the
monkey, kept near the building, made good
their escape but the fox could not loose him.
self and was cremated. The bear created some
finally captured and secured with ropes.
Planks ON the railroad track were burned and
the, iron rails badly warped in front of the
hIIi IA in wa WItn GnH hN
the beach. The total loss WILL when every
thing is counted up, amount to about $40. 900,
with insurance OfS25, 900.