New-York tribune., 1886-07-19
and Francis Rswc of this city have bought stock IN
The Baltimore Daily Eers This will not affect tho re-
lations OF Mr.. Smith with The FresA
THE LONG ISLAND CITY FIRE.
HOW IT STARTED NOBODY KNOWS.
NOT OVER 100000 DAMAGEs-rHE rERRA-CorTA

NOT OVER 100000 DAMAGEs-THE TERRA-COrTA
wODKs TO BE REBUILT.
The smouldering ruins Of the five-story and
basement building recently erected by the New York
Architectural Terra Gotta Company between Vernon
and the East River inhe Ravenswood part OF long
Island City, which destroyed by fro Saturday
night object of interest to thousands OF Sunday
strollers yesterday. A picket fence surrounded the
thckly wooded land belonging to the cOmI any aud a
surly watchmaD at the gate 0bduraaly refused admis
sion to all. compelling them to be satisfied with such
gimpsss Of the blackenod walls could be obtained
through the trees.
Most of tho stockholders of the company out OF
the city yesterday and the frat ntimaon they had Of
the fire was from the morning papers.
Clarence B. Cutler, OF the directors and architect
OF the works at Manhattan Beach and went 70 Raw
enswood with all possible haste. His first Impression
was that the loss irreparable but closer nvest
CATION convinced him OF his and he Immediately
set to work preparing for the reconstruction or the
building on the or ginal plans.
The company organized late last year and the
stock Is distributed among orlando B. Potter. Clarence
b. Cutter Philip Boniort and Mr. Barney Of New-York
Walter Geer and A. c. Geer. OF lOosck Falls, who are
respectively president and president; Mr.. Turner
OF Chicago, and J. NJ. sobermerhorn, r OF Homer, n.
Y, who is the secretary and treasurer Work VI On the
building begun in January and had not been com
petei when the fire nearly destroyed It, II was five
stories I'm height with depth Of 167 feet
ana width OF 80 feet aud built OF brick. Nearly
million feet OF Florida yellow pine were used in the
woodwork. The walls are standing to the third story
and are said by M Cutler to be in safe condition to
build upon The lall chimney kilns and boiler escaped
damage aud the engne Is not badly injured but that It
may he rebuilt The machinery, which Is described as
the most elaborate and perfect constructed for tie
manufacture of Gotta. wholly destroyed, as
a number OF valuable models All the books ana
papers taken out OF the office on the first floor by
hook9eeper Myers and foreman John Eyatt before the
flames had reached that part OF the building In tne
kiins were large number OF special designs wnel,
these it is thought, i'll be found unnjured: The mod
elng and baking OF the clay beg eight weeks ago
ous parts OF this country and Europe, employed
several large orders for goods have been received lately
the building which would have required about fort
night to begin operations to tho full capaciy OF tho
works, when $50 men would have been employed.
AS to the origin Of the fire there nothing hut contc-
ture. Thomas Dempseg the night watchman who dis
gular rounds, which controlled by electric
wachmans APP aratus, and had reached the fifth floor
at twenty minutes past 10 when he saw an imIn ense
onede of fire shooting out from the northeast Of
tue buildLg lie saw at once that the fire was oeyon
bio the steam whistle vigorously on NTH fool In
the where the fre was discovered, Is the room
sal to smokers and 1t ia thought that one OF these
might have carelesly thrown cigar stump or burning
started the fire. Another theory is that the flames
started the roof where gang of plumbers were at
work Saturday putting the nnshihg toucnes 10 lne 'i
large force of men will Immediately be rut to work
works will running order inside OF month In the
meantime the auxiliary buildings, none OF which was
damaged will be supplied with the machinery
| and m them the orders on hand Will be tlled.
Mr. Cutler said last night that tue loss on the building
would not exceed 100000. He had no means at hand or
arriving at the stock and machinery but thought
IL would not exceed $4,000, all fully covered By insur
aoce n our works had to be destroyed, sad be, II
could not have happened at more suspicious season
though had number or large orders on hand' IL nas
gyen IA time to get on our again end be ready for
the der and works by far the largest and beat
e1upped In this country and all possible precautions
were being taken against fire. In fact such thing Is
necessary in Long Island City, as the ire department
practically useless and the water ply o little ao
count IN OF large fire The only fresh water we
can the works Is brought 1000 feet through al
| inch and n quarter pipe. The Brooklyn depai tmen
could have rendered assistance brought here o" ms
20 the poor water supply we had 1pst contracted VIII
James d. Leary to erect wharf and the crib he nai
brought to our front for that purpose cut OIL the
| chance OF getting water from the river"
I The tour fremen struck by falling bricks and timber
during the fire are badly injured. Michael Ridley OF
Hose Company No 5, sustained some painful bruises
about the head and shoulders but abo To be on the
| street yesterday.