The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-14


With It Six Small Dwellings, Adjoining Are
Destroyed.
The engines were not yet through playing on
tho Massachusetts, avenue fire when the alarm
again sounded, and bright light was seen in
the southwest portion OF the city. The Indian
apolis Stove Company's foundry, we'll known as
Roots. at the intersection Of Kentucky Avenue
and Sharpe street, . square south Of West,
was ablxze, as were ono or two
small dwellings adjoining it A great portion
of the foundry was frame work. including the
roof, while frame dwellings were clustered thick
upon all sides Of it, and the flames gained rapid
Roadway. In addition to the ringing Of the fire
bells. the engines upon the rail-
road tracks, which were but
square distant joined in spreading
the alarm. and an unusual crowd was soon pass
ing in that direction The scene at the fire fif
teen minutes after the alarm was sent in was
exciting indeed. The foundry itself was in .
blaze almost from end to end, and it extends the
length of . square. Alongside Of it, on the
east, were Eve small residences, facing
already we'll under control Of the flames,
while another. in the rear. WAS just catching
From these burning houses half-dressed people
were engaged In throwing out furniture work
which they were enabled to pursue for but
very few momsnsa They had but few min.
utes before rescued their families from the
flames. the escapes IN some instances being
thrillingy narrow An old blind woman,
named MIRA Hoagley. occupied the residence on
the alley in the rear Of the others. and she was
carried ont by . couple Of men. Meantime the
occupants Of the residences on the north side of
Sharpe street, and all those within square Of
ger. and . terrible Heht WAS in progress
to save them The engines were late in an
swerine. on account of the fact that many OF
them had not returned from the other fire. and,
considering the fercness Of the blaze and the
manner in which frame tinder-boxes were
crowded together about the stove foundry,
it was only by the most determined eferts
Of the FIRE company. assisted by many others,
which prevented . coufsgration two or three
squares in width. The roofs Of adjoining
houses were half covered with men and
boys with buckets. who braved
the intense heat Of the flames, and after q terri
BILE ordeal, which lasted half an hour. they had
the satisfaction Of sseirg the flames across the
but steaming homes still 90 and and uninjursd.
The extent of tie FIRE wsy therefore confined
to Roots stove factory and Elk dwellines. al OF
which were located almost under its caves The
adjoining houses were several times on fire, and
were seriously scorched. but the loss on them
will be trihinR.
Fortunately, ths.fre was without an accident
to any person SO far as was known last night
Patroman Page, however. whose home Is No.
Sharpe street. just about directly across from the
fames fears the loss of q sick child as q result
OF fright The little fellow had been danger
ously sick for some days, with brain fever, but
was recuperating Last night. In the midst Of
all the excitement. the child, weak as it WAS
jumped up and ran to the window, and then fell
to the floor. It's condition 10 precarious. and the
patrolman is almost heart-broken.
Between $50 and LIS men were employed IN
the stove foundry, and wall therefore be thrown
out of work. 1t is the third time the foundry
has been burned, the last occasion being only
four years ago.
The FIRE did not originals in the factory, but
started in the kitchen of George Woods resi-
dence, No. IL Sharpe street. Odicsrs Kane and
Davis about III o'clock heard the cry of FIRE, and
saw the blaze, after which they ran
and turned on the alarm. Then they
hurried to the scene of tho blaze and
found Woods residence half consumed.
while the fences in the rear. which commun-
Gated to the foundry and to . number of other
residences, were also on Are. The residents Of
these places were engaged in removing their
goods and saving their families, leav-
ing the officers to tear down the
fences and enaeavor to cut short the spread,
but it was impossible, and in ten minutes tho
roof of the foundry was In . blaze, and the
other residences were fast being DESTROYED.
The six dwellings, destroyed belonged. four of
them TO j. B. Root, one to the Daily heirs, and
one to Joseph Stephens. They are valued at
$500 apiece and are partially insured. Tho
residents in the honses were John Grim, A. G.
Mayhem. the night Waterman, Andrew Meyer.
Mrs. Hoogland and Mr.. Woods. Some of the
parties were burned ont In the other fire
which destroyed Mr.. Roots establishment
The foundry was almost q total wreck. al
though portion it-thas containing large
store of stoves was saved. The loss upon the
foundry is 10 estimated a. SOS, 900. and upon the
residences s.. 900.
Mr. Roots loss is fully covered by insurance
held In the agencies OF Robert Martindale and
Newton Todd, 10 the amount Of e30. 900.
The companies involved in the losses are: