The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-01-31
some OF THEIR DASTARDLY WORK

Last night Palatka was visited by fire
Of supposed incendiary origin The
shop belonging to Mr.. A. l. Jones,
builder Of water tanks, and Mr.. y. II.
DAlton's wood splitting factory 1t the
head Of River street, were entirely con-
sumed. The fire started at about ten
minutes past II o'clock and had progress
Cd 70 far by the time it was discovered
that il was impossible to save the build
ing from destruction. Some ten minutes
elapsed before general alarm could b
given. Men stood and yelled time and
again but apparently to no avail-ou1
fire bell, do We hear somebody say? Oh,
yes, it rang-after while, and, then. q
family that it is doubtful whether a
third Of our citizens heard it.
A large crowd had congregated before
any Of the Fire Department. had shown
up, and gaining entrance to the ware
house, the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key
West Railway hose had a good stream
playing upon the surrounding buildingr
a. the West End hose were unrolling
their hose. The North End came in
next, followed by the Putnam Alert.
and by this time three or four powerful
streams were doing good service upon
the now seething flames.
The building was constructed of sheet
iron, and al the contents both above and
below were mostly pitch pine and cy-
press woods, the fire became SO intensely
hot that it was quite beyond human en-
durance to get within serviceable dis
lance until the flames had been some
what subdued.
Mr.. Dalton, who at the time of the
alarm was upon Lemon street, rushed
quickly to the office, which stood a little
to the rear Of the burning structure, and
Drawing the awful heat, attempted to get
ut his books, but was finally forced to
retcrn. His office, however, was saved.
From Mr.. Dalton reporter OF THE
PALATKA News learned that horse and
mule were snwrapped in flames and
burned to death long before he arrived
at the scene, ami that only a few days
since he had given 5000 for the former.
Mr.. Dalton states that in roughly esti-
mating his loss he places it in the neigh
borhocd Of $4,000, with an insurance Of
$1,000.
Mr.. Jones at the time of this writing
10 out OF the city, having left on the
o'clock train yesterday afternoon for
Sanford, consequently his loss cannot
be chronicled as yet. We are informed,
however, that he had just completed
several new tanks, and that they also
were destroyed.
The hydrants were put to an excellent
test and there is now no room to criti-
else the lnefficiency of the Palatka
Water Works-they did well. Within
one hour after starting, the fire was ex-
tinguished and the West End Hose was
left to play over the ruins and q large
wood pile which was still burning in the
center. The fire was put out entirely
by the use Of the hydrants.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT.
Scarcely half an hour passed after the
greater part of the crowd of spectators
had dispersed when Mr.. Hill, clerk
1t Henis Petesmannj, in look
ing around the neighboring build
ings Of the store to see that all
was - it should be, discovered q bright |
light which he at first took to be light |
in the dwelling Of DIR. Ames, some dis
lance from the Pesermann grocery store.
but upon closer examination he found |
Il to be burst Of flames. He inn
gave an alarm and with the
help Of several persons who were pass
ing by succeeded in putting it out. In
vestigAtion shows that handkerchief
md shavings had been 30 placed between
he walls back Of the barber shop that it
would soon rush up stairs and envelope
he entire building and then the block. |
rhe handkerchief or rag had seemingly
'een satuated with oil and then stuffed
lp under the Notwithstanding. No
havings were about the place when the
tore was closed. Mr.. Hill, with the aid
( Mr.. Gross, put the fire out and at the
anne time awakening Mr.. Lockwood,
rho lives in the second story.