The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-11
TWIN FIRES.
Yesterdays Record Of Destruction.
The Tennessee Brewery Slightly
Disfgured
But Still in the Ring-J. w. Schorr's
Heavy Loss.
The Famous Irving Block a Mass
of Ruins.
Heroic Battle with the Flamss--Gal
liant Conduct of Fireman-An
Historic Landmark Como
Loss $4,000

Woful havoc was played by the eames
yesterday afternoon.
With two fierce fires raging in remotely
different parts of the city, the capacity Of
the fire department was taxed TO its ut.
most, and found inadequate to meet de-
mands.
Between and o'clock p. M, Mr.. John
W. Schorr, president of the Tennessee
Brewing company, was sitting in the office
OF that concern, with his bookkeeper.
Lets look over our insurance, remarked
Mr.. schorr. Every WELL" replied the
bookkeeper, "but suppose we defer it
until tomorrow morning." mo, let's do
it right now" was the emphatic response
OF the president.
Just at tho moment when movement
WIS made by the bookkeeper toward the
safe for the papers, some one rushed into
the office and cried:
"TnE BREWERY Is BURNING!
The desire to inspect insurance policies
at once fled from President Schorr's mind,
aud both the office occupants precipi.
lately hurried down stairs and made Tor
the scene Of the burning, but not before
the documents and books were safely de-
posted in the vault An alarm, both by
fire alarm wires and telephone, was turned
in, and the entire department turned out
in the best possible manner over the
rough street payements.
The fire began on the roof, over the
bottling department and store-room, in
the rear, and on the south side OF the
brewery. Just how il originated is not
known TO an absolute certainty, but the
theory entertained by the managers OF the
enterprise Is that spark from a railroad
locomotive, some OF which are almost con-
tinually passing close in the rear did the
work.
The flames spread with all the rapidly
invited by intlammablc structure and con-
tents, and before the arrival Of engines
was well advanced.
EXCELLENT WORK
was done by the department, and thus
much of the valuable property was saved
from destruction. In the burning section
was stored the companys stock of beer
and hops, but the latter WIS dumped over
out Of reach in short order and with no 10.
gard 10 ceremony. The beer, which was
stored in two distinct cellars, was also pre-
served intact.
A soulherly wind drove the flames 10
the handsome two story frame residence
adjoining the brewery, occupied by Mr.
Schorr. II belonged 10 the brewing com.
pany. The loss was total, even the ward.
robe Of the occupant family being con.
sumed. Some OF the members, indeed.
barely escaped with their lives. Among
the other articles burned was beautiful
diamond scarf pin belongingto Mr.. Schorr,
and lying on a dressing case stand. The
residence was valued at $4,000; the con-
tents nj $500. Only this spring Mr..
Schorr had added furniture and other
household effects TO the value Of II, 500
Tng loss AND INSURANCE.
While the extent OF ihc loss on the
brewery depends largely upon the cUndi.
ton OF the stock OF beer, which cannot bc
fully determined until today, Is is believed
1t cannot fall short OF $1,000. On this
there is y total insurance OF goo, 600, but
on the involved section Of S., 600, dis.
tributcd as follows