The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-11

tells beer saloon, was wrapped in the
fiery embrace. Sparks big rs mans
hat were carried in the air in south
easterly direction, and now and then
lighted on shingle roofs, which soon be-
came ignited, but by prompt applications
OF buckets OF water by the occupants were
saved from destruction. A shingle roof
building in the rear Of THE APPEAL was
saved in this manner. The Cumberland
Presbyterian church was threatened, but
the engines arrived in time to prevent
damage. Oyerton * Grosvenor, the Misiit
store and the Singer Sewing Machine
company, were all in danger, but through
| the arduous efforts OF the firemen, escaped
| loss. 1t was fully half hour after the
| fire started before the department was
| enabled TO do any effective work. Many
causes contributed to this result. The
water supply on North Court street was
defective, the hose used by the iiremen
was badly worn and burst at critical juno
ure', and but one Of all the streams was
| high enough to. reach the roof OF the build
ings. With proper facilities Brownies
building might have been saved, but be-
fore enough hose and water were available
II was gone beyond redemption, together
with Cotton Green's building and the
Boro building. No progress was made in
| staying the course OF the flames until two
lines OF hose were carried up TO the roofs
OF adjoining buildings and from that alti-
tude directed their streams downward
upon the burning buildings. This method
proved gradually effective and enabled the
heroic firemen TO get the flames under
control and finally to extinguish them.
While the flames were bursting through
the doors and windows in the alley in the
rear, an effort was made TO run hose car
rage No. 4 through 10 court street, but
the heat was 80 intense between the burn
ing buildings and the Cumberland Prcsby-
terrain church that the horses stopped,
threw their heads in the air and com
menced rearing and punging. The efforts
OF the driver and the firemen, who
whipped them severely, were unavailing;
the horses were slowly scorching and
roasting to death. They attempted to
turn around and run back, but the hose
carriage got stuck and locked and the
gallant animals soon tumbled and
were rendered helpless. The firemen and
many citizen volunteers rushed TO the res
cue, and u stream OF water was turned on
the roasting horses and their rescuers. A
rousing cheer was raised, and despite the
turned around and dragged back. The
horses were raised TO their feet, and were
saved amid a wild round OF applause
which drowned the cracking and roaring
OF the flames. II was gallant act per-
formed in the midst OF intense heat, smoke
and flame, and in a manner which re-
Elected the greatest credit upon the fire.
men and volunteer citizens, who rendered
most timely and valuable assistance.
Among the citizen volunteers who did
good service In this emergency was John
Dohn an employee Of Kremers, whose
hand was cut in the effort TO extricate the
horses from their perilous position.
ANOTHER HEROIC ACT
was that OF John Wright OF the hook and
ladder company. While the flames were
raging in the Browne building and the
roof threatened 10 fall in at any moment
Assistant Chief James Burke called for a
volunteer 10 90 into the third story
Of the Browne building to open
the windows, which were closed and
resisted the streams OF water PLAYING
against them. Several gallant fremen vol.
untccred TO risk the danger, but John
Wright was selected, and rapidly started
on his perilous mission. As the crowd
saw him enter the building they OWNED
his Grand and shouted 10 him, "Turn
back, you'll be burnt alive" but the brave
fireman pushed forward and was soon lost
10 view. just then the roof OF the Cotton
Greene building came down with a crash,
and vast sheet OF flame lcaped into the
Browne building. Everybody thought that
the brave fireman would surely perish.
Three, four, five minutes, that seemed IN
age, elapsed and still no sign Of
the missing fireman. Suddenly some
eagle eyed spectators saw through the
smoke aud fire Of the third floor rod
hated figure, and yelled exultantly,
''Thcrc he n, there he is, {" and in an in.
slant all eyes were turned upon him. How
he ever got through the black and binding
smoke and the scorching flames is incom.
prehensiblc, butthcrc he was, and opened
every window. although the wood work
was smoking with heat. lie then disap-
pearcd again and soon was seen doing like
service 10 the second iloor windows, while
the crowd below trembled for his safety;
and shouted TO him TO come down. An.
other minute and the cornicc came
crushing down, and again Wright was
given up Tor lost. Seconds that seemed
ages passed and then the gallant
fireman burst into view coming
down the steps, and a cheer went up
IRON 5000 Threats that proved how deep
an interest the spectators took in the gal.
liant ireman's late. He had hardly
reached the sidewalk before the floor Of
the third story gave way with a crash that
showed how narrowly Wright had escaped
being crushed alive.
John Donohuc. Of No. 3,..also deserves
honorable mention for gallantFy Ia carry.
ing q hose up into the third story Of the
Brown building at the imminent risk Of
his lie, but was unable 10 use the hose in
view OF the lettering condition Of tho
walls.
TuE ESTIMATED LOSS.
The heaviest local loser by the fre l.
probably the Arlington Fire Insurance
company, IN which company Mr. J. W.
y. Browne claims 10 have policies for
5000 on building and 5000 on stock.
An ArPEAL reporter found Mr.. W. n.
Kennedy, secretary OF that company, nj
his office last night, but he seemed disin.
clined 10 furnish much information ns 10
Reinsurance. After applying a powerful
hydraulic pressure 1is ArFEAL reporter
finally learned from the rciicunt secretary
that 5000 Of Brownies insurance had
been rc.nsurcd In the fafrarut company.
Of New York. Tho Boro building was
also Admitted by Secretary Kennedy 10
have been insured In the Arlington.
Col. Casey Young Lost portion Of his
library, valued at SEQ. No insurance.
q. 4. NJ. Turner lost valuable library.
nll his furniture and wearing apparel. t6e
whole valued at S3,0O0. No insurance.