The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-11
..ADISASTROUS FIRE.
DESTRUCTION OF THE sAwRIE-Ro-
laas ziBR CRACKER FACTORY.
The Building Completely Quilted, the
Floors Failing In--The Alarm Delayed
3 AThe Loss ON Stock s37 ,ooo--Good
Work Saves the Block.

At2o'elock this morning fire was dis
covered issuing from the windows Of the
Sawne- Rozier cracker mandatory on
jefferson street between Main and Second
streets. Tho alarm was sounded by q
night watobman, and general alarm
sounded summoning the fire department.
Notwithstanding the proximity Of engine
and hook and ladder companies No. ], the
flames spread so rapidly before their ar
rival that Il seemed almost hopeless
task to extnguish them before the en-
tire buildiugwas destroyed. The building
was filled with cracker boxes and flour
barrels, n class OF material particularly in
viting to the flames, and, aggravated by
stin norihwcslerly breeze, within less than
ten minutes the whole building was
solid sheet OF blaze.
The fire. ignitod from the smokesiack
from the firms massive boiler, which was
located ON the east side and in rear OF the
building. Here also was where the bulk
Of the boxes and barrels were stored.
II began in The second story, rapidly
worked IL way 10 the third and roof, then
spread to the adjoining side. As the wind
was from direction placing the four story
brick block ON the east side in imminent
peril, the main efforts Of the frcmen were
directed % that point 10 reach them
successfully, plank fence erected in front
Of the alley and against the street had TO
DO broken through, aud all this pro
liminary work required precious time.
Another difficulty was that raised by
dense volumes OF black and sunoeat-
ing smoke, which blinded the fire.
men aud retarded their usually rapid and
well directed efforts. The smoke was
driven TO the earth under the strong wind,
numbering movements necessarily slow and
hazardous.
Despite the early morning hour, large
crowd Of spectators soon collected around
the burning building, and watched, with
feeling Of awe and prophetic sentiment,
the progress OF the flames As each new
department WIS attacked by the fiery enc
my opinions rs 10 when aud where |
the destruction would ccnse were literally |
ventilated. Every attack was bravely met
and fought by the iircmen, who played q
half do1en streams from every available
position. Tho intruder reared iis head !
only 10 be repealed, and in less than hall
am hour the prospect for saving the sur.
rounding property was decidedly more
favorable.
Attention was frl directed to the fire
by little daughter OF Mrs. Page, who
occupies apartments in the building north
Of and adjoining the premises, separated
only by an alley. The child was awak-
cncd by Tho suirocaiing smoke, raised
n Protesting cry. aud aroused the mother.
Ars. Page on hooking Tor the cause.
discovered The block Waterman making
his ROUNDS, informed him OF her suspi-
efons, and tho alarm followed
Al e:3D o'clock a. Va. the entire interior
OF the building WAS consumed TO such nm
extent that tl,- supports gave way, pn,.
eipliliing the floors 70 the ground. This
created new alarm, as II sent forth a tall
sheet Of lame and showers Of sparks. II
seemed almort miracle, under the cir
cumstanccs. that bnildings on which the
sparks icll were not ignitcd. They could
only be saycl boy ngid ordinance regula-
tons against undue exposure TO such dan.
gers.
The falling in Of the floors made the
duty Of the iremen more easily and sue.
ccsiully performed, aud ut o'clock
a. M, there was no apparent danger
oi sprcading beyond the limits raised by
the four walls.
Mr.. Willis Sawric, senior partner in the
firm, appeared on the scene before =
O'Clock, from his homo away out on Poplar
street. Prom him m ArrEAL reporter
learned iha, the origin Of the fire was
a mystery. a. the bread ior the day had
been turned ont early In the evening. His
opinion. WINS that ,hc fire had been smo,h-
.rinr ever since the furnace doom.
werc cpcned 10 allow IL 10
die out. and that the wind.
entering through some unknown apcrturcin
the wall, fanned Il into flame, and this
reached piece Of frame work near tho
boiler Ol one ding he IA CERTAIN. Il was
through no dcicciiycpmio Of the machinery
OF mcclianlcal conncciions
The destroyed building WIS owned by
Nashville parties, Tor whom MosSrs.
Oycrion n Grosvcnor an agents. Whether
or not Il vas insured could not be- learned
with any degree 81 certainty, but II Il safe
ioprcsume Il was II WIS q rather oil
thrce story structure, valued at not over
slo,Ooo
The stock 81 the Sawric Roxcr company
was valued al S9o,OoO, insured for about
Sla,Ooo. Owing to the peculiar character
VI the stock, local insurance companies
have NO desire TO cover II, hence the
loes from this quarter falls
mostly upon iopign companies Local
insurance concerns catch Il 10 the extent
Of $4,000 on fixtures and machinery,
the value of which was $40.
600. The total loss will amount 70
$4,000, insurance $1,000. Tho un.
fortunate company lose ON their own
account al least $1,000. aside from the In.
ierfnpiion q Us business. This, ut this
season Of tho year, VI no inconsidciable
item, o. ihem was largo number Of un.
filled orders on hand.
The Gre will fan No. an especial hardship
upon fully eighty employees, mostly girls