St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-24
SATURDAY MIGHT FIRE.
Interview With Chief Black Powers
& Durkee's Loss.
E +. Osborne Returns this MOrning-Other
Incidents Gathered by the Globe.

In referring 70 the burning Of the wann
block on East Fourth street, occupied by E.
F. Osborne. maehinest supplies, Saturday
night, and particulars Of which appeared in
yesterdays issue Of the GLOBE, Chief Black
said yesterday, that the fire demonstrated
the imperative necessity Of additional appa-
ratus- This he said was the opinion Of
prominent business men who we're present
at the fire. AS an illustration Of the
remark he said that In case Of another alarm
during the FIRE Of Saturday night II would
have been impossible for the department to
have made au adequate response. All tue
available apparatus was marshaled ct the fire
IN view Of the fact that the most valuable
property and interests of the wholesale dis
trict were in jeopardy, Il would have been
impracticable in the event OF another alarm,
to have taken a single stream from the FIRE.
In this connection Chief Black further said
that the present apparatus was deficient TO
cope with emergencies that were liable to
arise at any time. It was difficult, he con-
tinued, to handle fire in the business heart
OF city of l25, 900 Inhabitants. with build
ings i've and six stories high, with the pres
emit limited resources. He thought
there should be at least four
more steamers and another truck.
This might seem extraordinary from a casual
view, be said, but when 1t was remembered
that in such FIRE as Saturday night a hun
dred fold the cost of the additional apparatus
in property might be destroyed in less than
an hour, the cost was trivial. In conclusion
he thought that it would be economy for the
city to purchase the extra ap-
paratus named. and he also alluded
to the need OF another assistant chief. In
explanation he said that in case Of fire like
the one under consideration he was supposed
TO be everywhere and it was impossible at
times for mis- men TO fluid him. The object
in having another assistant would be in the
event Of big FIRE TO have an assistant at the
two critical points, which would give him an
opportunity to watch the fire and give or
ders.
AT THE RUINS.
Early yesterday morning Mr.. John wann,
owner Of the building destroyed, put large
force OF iaborers at work in cleaning away
the debris of the late fire. The walls were
examined aud found 10 be in q fair condi-
subjected TO, but a number Of partially
burned timbers and stringers, which were
considered unsafe, were removed yesterday.
Chief Black also put fire steamers at work
yesterday in pumping out the water from the
basement Of the burned structure .Gr
Aside from the close call given the gen
eral offices of the Manitoba Railroad com
pany, the firm Of Powers, Durkee IL Co., ex-
perienced the greatest loss. In conversation
with one OF the firm yesterday, GLOBE re-
porter was informed that the loss of the firm
would not be less than g., OOO
A large stock Of blankets, cloaks and muslin
were saturated with water, and besides this
quite number Of articles thrown from the
windows, had not been recovered. The loss
of the firm is fully covered by insurance.
The building occupied by this firm and
owned by G. Z. Dickerman was also badly
damaged, the plate glass win
dows Tbroken, alone being valued
at over thousand dollars.
The plate windows of the saloon occupied by
Fritz Henuing were also shattered, as were
the windows of the store occupied BY N. E.
Solomon. The damage To either firm will
not exceed 500.
The insurance carried by both Mr.. Moon
and Mr.. Osborne is practically as given in
yesterdays issue OF the GLOBE, aud in both
instances the losses are almost indemnihed.
The only loss or damage to the fire depart
ment apparatus. consisted in the burning Of
section Of hose, the bursting Of two sec
tons Of old hose and the burning of about
twenty feet Of one Of the Hayes ladders.
In speaking. of the work of the department
yesterday, Chief Black said that he was we'll
satisfied with the conduct of his men. He
expressed indignation, however, at
the conduct of citizen who,
at a critical Juncture of the fire offered some
of his men whisky. 1t was evident, he said.
that such person was no friend of either
the department or the city.
The fire department in general and Chief
Black in particular desire to return thanks
to Mr.. Wann for the oyster supper given by
him after the fire.
Mr.. E. F. Osborne desires it announced
that he will resume business this morning in
room No. of the Davidson block, corner of
Fourth aud jackson streets.