The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-17
ST. JOE'S FURIOUS FIRE.
THE ART HALL WENT WITH THE
EXPOSITION BUILDING.

The Structures Two Miles From the
Citv Proper, and the Fire Depart
nent Unable to Lend ANY Assist
auce-Apachee Indians Saved Gen.
I,afavette's Carriage.
Sr. JOSEPH, No, Sept. 16.-Last nights
fire at the exposition grounds started just
ofter the close of the evening concert by
Racb's orchestra, and the buildings and
Grounds were still thronged with visitors.
The art gallery had just been closed when
flames were seen issuing from
the roof of the passageway
that connected with the south end of the
main hall. An alarm was Immediately
piven. and the fire company which was
kept on the grounds by the management re-
sponded promptly. From the point of origin
the fire spread along the passageway in
both directions toward the art hall and
main building, and when the firemen got to
work they found that they had two fires to
fight.
THE FIGHT AT THE MAIN BUILDING
Attention was first directed to the main
binding, in the hope of checking the flames
there. In the meantime the flames had
made rapid progress among the infiamma-
bic matter in the art hall, and the heat be-
came 50 intense that it caught fire outside
of the end of the main hall. The tiremen
had almost Subdued the flames within, but
when this new danger arose they saw that
their efforts to save he building would be
in VAIN. They kept at work, however, and
fought bravely for an hour, after which
timethey were forced to retire to save their
lives.
UNABLE TO LEND HAND.
The St. Joseph fremen volunteered their
assistance but the distance of two miles
from the city where the exposition was
located rendered it impossible for them to
do anything. The nearest hydrant was
fully mile and half from the fire, except
ing the one being used by the exposition
fremen. When it was seen that the
fire could not be stayed in the
main and art halls, attention
vas directed to preventing its spreading.
IL this the firemen were successful and the
twenty-nine smaller buildings surrounding
we're saved. During the progress of the
fire aUd while it was yet possible to enter
the main building with safety Broncho 10
organized his band of Apachee Indians,
which was one Of the expOsition'S at
fractions, aud leading them into
the blazing hall directed them
to save what they could of its contents.
The carriage used by Gen. Lafayette on his
visit to America was on exhibition. and the
Indians carried it from the hall. They
attempted to make another sally into the
building but the heat was too intense. The
carriage was the only thing saved.
THE LOSSES.
The loss on the art hall and it's contents,
consisting OF exhibits of art by local talent
principally, amounts to about $4,000. The
main hall cost S75, 900 in construction. and
its contents, consisting of exhibits of all
kinds, were valued ct a similar figure. The
largest individual losses were suffered
by the StudeDakers, whose exhibit
Of carriages was valued at $4,000,
and the Huyett Piano Company,
whose display of pianos was valued at
$4,000. The cylindrical steel car ''City of
st. Joseph,n manufactured by the Steel
Car Company of st. Joseph, at a cost of
81 600, was also destroyed The total loss
IS difficult to estimate on account of the
varied nature Of the exhibits, but the figure
IS placed at S259,000. The fire is
supposed to have originated from
an lmperfectly insulated electric light
WIRE. The exposition will be continued in
spite Of the disaster, and the displays of
many Of the exhibitors will be replaced in
the smaller buildings.
BURNED TO DEATH
Capt. Foster of this city, who had charge
OF the cereal exhibit, had a sleeping room
In the attic of the art hall He retired
early last night. No one thought to awaken
MIN when the fire started, and he was
burned to death. His charred remains
were found in the ruins this morning,