The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-02
The Losses by Fire.

CHARLESTON, Sept IA large fire at the
corner or Vandervort and King streets
was started after the earthquake shock, and
was burning fercely for about two hours,
when, at last, three streams could ba
directed against it. but this being found unaval-
ing, the tidal drain was opened and another
stream put on At least ten houses were on FIRE.
and all of them were completely burned
The fire still advanced, ard it appeared as if
the whole block would be burned down unless
sufficient aid could be given. The fire depart
ment chief, ONeill. pressed into service every
negro that could be found, either to cut wood ol.
to hold horses. serious fire broke out on
the southeast corner of George and St
Phillip Streets and two twostory houses
were completely destroyed The corner house
belonged to Lieutenant Heidi, OF the police
force, and the other was occupied by Miss Julia
Wellington. The fire burned for about an hour
before the arrival OF fire engines, such was the
demand for them all over the city. Fortunate.
ly, however, there was very little wind
blowing, and the neighboring houses al
most all of which are built of wood,
were kept from catching by means Of
buckets of water. 1t was IL o'clock before the
first engine arrived A number of hands
assisted the fremen in stretching the hose, and
with one stream of water the fire was kept from
spreading until the arrival of another engine
when the FIRE was gradually subdued. The two
story wooden building at 487 King street, on the
West Side, between Vandevort and Warren
street, and occupied by s. G. Haidares
Bros, as fruit store, caught
fire during the convulsion and was
Cd 70 %ba g.
the arrival of the engines, to. the two-story
wooden building on the north side. occupied as
clothing store by T. L. Miutz, and to the two.
story brick house on the south side, occupied by
DR.. S. w. Bull, dentist, and Mrs E. Meyers
The two wooden buildings are totally destroyed.
The brick buildings were partially destroyed.
At about half past 10 o'clock, Alderman Rod
gers 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 in
surance 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 Four houses at
the corner of st. George and st. Philip
streets were burned in the early morning. Most
of the fires in different parts of the city were
King street. near Broad, which continued to
burn brisky There was but one engine avail
able. Fortunately, the water>mains were not
injured, and there was plentiful supply, only
the means of conducting it to the fire were
wanting There was no wind blowing from 10
P. NJ. till nearly 3 o'clock, by which time the FIRE
had been got under control and the danger of a
disastrous confagration 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 mauy cases shattered homes were re-
visited and the children and women were
provided with clothing and covering That
infinite mercy which seems to be meted out to a
stricken people so tempered the wind and weather
that the frightened and homeless people were
spared many discomforts and hardships. The dead
were laid in the open air. The wounded were
provided with temporary pallets in the lawns or
on streets ana every one waited patiently for the
coming dawn which would at least tighten the
horrors of the occasion. At the lowest estimate,
the loss will be about double that caused by the
August cyclone of last year.
Thrilling Word-Picture of the Convulsi0n.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept 1.-THE compositors
of the News and Courier declined work tonight,
expecting fresh shocks of earthquake and tho
paper cannot, therefore, issue tomorrow Tbs
| following article was prepared for publication in
the News and Courier. and is telegraphed almost
| in the writer's own words:
Necessarily the description that can be giveR