The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-09-09
Terrible Fire in Cleveland.
Governor Cleveland Talks to
the People Like a Sensible
Man.
&C., sc. SC.
Furious Fire.

bcI NlOO Suu VO'O5 LNLAo A"'S
sent to Akron, Y youngstown, Palneu'
vile, Erie, Saudusky and Toledo Tor
assistance. The origin of the fire IS
unknown. Ineendiarism is sup
posed by some, but the most prob
able theory is that the sparks from
a tug set fire early in the evening to
pile of shsvings, from which
the flames spread, until Woods,
Perry & Cos extensive lumber
yard was abIazs. The fire CON-
tinued to extend, defying all
efforts of the ffremen. The
lumber yards of Potter, Birdsall 81
Co. and @. J. King & Co., were also
consumed: the Variety Iron works
were destroyed; Stanley & Cos
msnuf 4ctury burned. and part of
Sherwin, Williams & Cos Varnish
works, and at 10 O'Clock the con1s-
grafton threatens to become still
more extensive. About ten acres of
lumber and frame buildings were
ahame al one time, and huge crowds
OF smoke thickly studded with burn
ing cinders were blown by the
changing winds for miles, causing
excitement lest the myrisds of
sparks should kindle fires in every
direction an perhaps lay waste
a large part of the city.
AT Z 80 the fire was confined to an
area of 200 feet square and in the
midst of these the flames were saw
sgely burning and sending out a
myriad of sparks and lighted pine
torches. Slowly the fra gained on
the firemen, sparks being carried
over their heads and setting fire to
a small spot in the centre OF q pile
OF lumber and because of its
height and the Gerceness OF
the flames, nothing could be done till
the they reached the end of the
pile when a stream would be
directed that way. The lanes and
alleys were so narrow thai it was
impossible to get q steamer to play
sections. Tae lumber at the
spot where the fire started was
built up of gre en- lumber aud put in
from Michigan pine woods, and
though it would not be expected to
burn well the heat was so intsnse
that the element continued beyond
the power OF the department to con-
troll. By s O'CLOCK it was in alleys
Three ana Four, and as the area
OF burning wood became larger
the men were forced to spread cut
and less effective work could be
done. AT this time some f1remen
were in the alleys almost COM
pletelY surrounded by fire and to
keep from burning the stream Of
wster was directed against them
Nearly every man was thus wet
down and only thus could they Sc.
cure comfort. at $50 o'clock Car
ter Street became impossible. The
heat prevented any one from going
by the buildings ALI only in some
places could the firemen stand.
The fire was under such headway
that the engines which could be
Kept in the street were unable tt
eops with it. Much cause of delay
was found in the water; it was dirty
and the engines would get clogged
In this manner one of the engines
which had been throwing a stream
on the southwest side of the yard
near the railroad was forced to sus
pend work for time for repairs
Shops and buildings from
Scranton avenue to Woods, Perry &
Cos planning mill on Carter street,
were on file and It looked as though
ntthing could save them. High
piles of lumber, strong houses an
thick walls OF brick were crushed
into ashes. The flames shot a
hundred feet into the air and
myrlads OF sparks "a large as a
bushel basket lowered and fioated
amid the glare aud smoke, seeming
30 be amidst the stars. The awful
glare penetrated to the farther
most parts of the city AMI
the community turned out almo.t
en- masse to witness the awful
spectac e. They C elected on hous,
tops, chOked all th3roughfares LEAD
ing to the flats, and covered the
brows Of hills like swarming bee.
In the very heart of the conflagra
ton were The men whcee properly
was burning up, toiling liremen,
policemen AID q large number
Of adventurous loafers. All but tn
latter fought the fire with courage
and determination, but the Immense
furnace roared ard hissed compla.
Gently mockiDg them, snd reached
out gradually and surely sucking
into its vortex everything possible
TO reach. The sparks pulled Vi like
chat from flaming machine, and
fell Ike shower OF rain. Some
were not sparks but great
brands, ibe terrible heat bekrine
them slowly up like toy balloons,
the wind carrying them mile. away
When the nre was approaching, the
occupants of Potters, Bi1dsail &
Co.'S Office decided TO move
out John Mob ride and his wife
lived in the upper rooms and Mr..
Mcbride has been so Ill that he wa:
unable to move. Police officers and
other willing hands carried Mr..
Mcbride outside and he was moved
acr0-s the railroad to 8 place OF
SAFETY. Wagons were brought W