The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-10
THE WIGWAM BURNED.
An Incendiary Fire Results In the
Destruction OF $4,000 Worth
or Property.
John Golfer, OF Company No. 3, Badly
Injured by Falling Beam
Losses and Insurance.

About 10 o'clock last night sn alarm of ire
was sent in from Box So, and bright light
in the direction of the Cleveland Block indi.
Gated that fire of some proportions was al
ready under Roadway. In a few moments a
second alarm wa, sent 10, and crowds OF PEG.
ple were seen going in the direction OF the
light. Sentinel reporters fastened to the
scene and found the old Wigwam, which has
been used for some time as rink,
enveloped in flames and the wind
blowing at tate that promised still
further spread OF the conaagration. Being
built entirely OF wood, aud surrounded by
frame houses, the prospects for a fire of some
proportions were certainly excellent aud
only the prompt attendance and be roic work
OF the department prevented the entire
square from being consumed. The building
was situated on Maryland. bstween Ten
nessee and Mississippi streets. and was built
by the two political parties in $780, to be
used for holding conventions and other cam-
Daign purposes. Some time sgo it was trans.
formed into skating rink, anG until re.
Gently was used for that purpose The fire
last night originated in the resr end of the
b1ildiDg-no doubt the work Of incendiaries
and the structure was entirely consumed.
From The burning Wigwsm fire was CON.
municated to the old livery stable building
NINE d ately west and owned by Matte
Douglass. and lately occupied by Warner.
Spsn & Wilson also had q lot OF proyender
In The building. The stock was taken cat in
safety, but the provender and building were
destroyed.
The stable of james Furnas. immediately
in the rear OF the Wigwsm, was also burned,
but his wife succeeded in leading the horse
from the building before the flames got uu-
Ger headway. A shop, also belonging II
Furnas was partially burned. bat the tools
we're saved. The frame residence occupied
by William II. Short, Immediately east OF
the Wigwsm, was also partially burned,
with its contents. the family at the time b.
ing at a skating rink in another part
of the city. Matte Douglass bsgnio
wss also injured from the intense
heat OF the burning buildings aud the
windows demolished By the streams of water
thrown against the house to prevent it from
burning. Fire was communicated to the
tenement house adjoining Shorts residence,
but the damage was slight.
The total loss will foot up something like
$4,000. distributed, as nearly as could bs
learned, as follows: Ga the livery stable,
81 sec, total; Wigwaun. 81 500, total; Shorts
residence, 81, 200; F1rnss' stable. $50; Matte
Douglass house, $500 There was no insurance
either upon the Wigwam or upon the
livery stable. and possibly none upon Shorts
residence. The loss OF Matte Douglass on
her dwelling heuse is covered By 81 COO In
the Fire and Marine, of Springfield, 81 900
being en- the residence aud 3 600 on furpi-
toTe. Short carried al insurance OF 5000 on
furniture in the Roy al, OF London. located
with Z eaveland & Brown, and Furnace $50
on stable, located with Hadley.
There is some question as to the owner
ship Of the wigwsm property. bnt the bsst
man by the nsms of Bradley, who resides at
Columbus, this State.
John Golfer of the No. IS was quite seri-
outly in ured while engaged in the discharge
OF his duties st the Wigwam fire, large
beam falling from The burning structure and
striking him upon the head and back His
head and back were seriously bruised, and
COZ cussion OF the lungs and brain was feared
by the attending physician, bat the extent
OF the injury can be better told t0.Iay than
60 early after its occurrence last night.
During the progress OF the fire the greatest
excitement prevailed among the residents of
the locality, and .gdeed the surroundings
fully jushied all that was felt and feared.
TIE houses IN the vicinity are mostly frame
ttnements, closely built and except for the
prompt exertions of the department the en-
tire square might have been destroyed A
large nun. Der of the men and women carried
their f0rnituTe into the street aud several
were Teen carrying their children along just
81 hey bad been enatched from the sd at
the ffst alarm. There were but few who
were calculated to view the peril of their
household effects observation-disclosures thou n
one was heard to remark. "Don't take il ont,
its insured for all it's WORTH"