St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-02
AN ADDED HORROR.
Fires Break Out at Various Points
and Rage for EourS.

and Rage for Hours.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept. TIA large
fire at the corner of VanderhOrt and King
streets started after the earthquake shock
and was burning fercely for about two
hours, when at last three streams could be
directed against it, but this being found I'M
availing, the tidal drain was
opened and another stream put on
At least ten houses were burning, and all
were destroyed. The fire still advanced
and it appeared as if the whole block
would be burned down unless sufficient aid
could be given. The fire department chief,
O'Neil, pressed into service every negro
that could be found, either to cut wood or
to hold the horses. A serious fire broke
out on the southeast corner of George
and st. Philip Streets and two two-stOry
houses were consumed. The corner house
belonging to Lieut.. Hiedt of the police
force. and the other occupied by Miss Julia
Wellington. The fire burned for about all
hour before the arrival of the fire engines,
such was the demand for them all over the
city. Fortunately, however, there was
very little wind blowing and the neighbour
ing houses, which are all built of wood,
were saved by means of
CRICKET BRIGADES.
It was II o'clock before the first engine
arrived. A number of hands assisted the
firemen in stretching the hose and with one
stream of water the fire was kept from
spreading until the arrival of another en-
CINE a little Later when the fire was gradu-
ally subdued. The two story wooden build
ing at No. 4S9 King street. On the West
side. between VanderhOrst and Warren
,aI
diaries Brothers as fruit store,
caught fire during the convulsiOn
and was burned to the ground. At about
1920 o'clock Aid. Rogers had succeeded in
getting two streams Of water to play on the
flames, and there was no danger of the fire
spreading. The loss and insurance could
not be ascertained. One of the first fires
that broke out was that which was caused
by an overturned lamp in house on Blake
street. About four houses at the
corner of st. George and ST. Philip
streets were burned in the early
morning; most of the fires in different sec
tions of the city were subdued by half past
l o'clock save the one in King, near Broad
street, which continued to burn briskly.
Fortunately the water mains were not in
jured, and there was all
ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF WATER,
only the means of conducting it to the fire
were wanting. There was no wind blow
ing from 10 o'clock to 8 o'clock.
by which time the fire had been
got under control, and the danger
of disastrous cOnflagratiOn was spared
to the night of horror. At that hour every
park, square. or vacant lot in the city was
occupied by people. 1t is safe to say that
the whole of Charleston passed the night
out of doors. In many cases shattered
homes were revisited and the children and
women provided with clothing and
coverings That infinite mercy which
seems to be melted out to stricken
people, so tempered the wind and
weather that the frightened and houseIess
people were spared many hardships. The
dead were laid in the open air, the wounded
proviaed with temporary pallets on the
lawns or on the streets and everyone waited
patiently for the coming dawn, which