Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-12-04

A Minneapolis dispatch of the goth
says: A fire which broke out about
10:45 this evening in the Minneapolis
Tribune building resulted in terrible
loss of life, the destruction of the
handsome seven-story newspaper
building and adjoining property,
causing a pecuniafy loss OF
over 100000. The fire started In
the law Office on the third story, and
when discovered had secured such
Roadway that within an hour the build
ing was in ruins. There were probably
a hundred men at work in the build,
ing, the printers and night editorial
Sundays edition of the Tribune. The
smoke filled the single narrow stairway
go quickly that when the danger was
seen it was too late to admit OF egress
by it's means. The printers and others
gathered at the windows and the crowds
in the street below stood silent and
awe-stricken as they gazed on the ter
rible sight above. The blaze had by
this time enveloped the building, and
the sh~ieks of the imperiled men were
heartrending. Quickly the firemen
kad I'm up their ladders and the
work OF rescue was begun. But
III hGS LOU S1OW. ALI COuA0 AAOo OO
saved in that way from the advancing
flames. Life-nets were made and the
crowd called to the men above to jump.
Some were saved in this way, others
were killed in their descent-perhsps
an easier and less awful death than
awaited them in the fiery furnace above.
One or two seeing death inevitable
drew their .revolvers and shot them
selves, falling back in the seething
flames. A dozen probably persisted,
perhaps more.
The loss on the building is about $780,
600, with 100000 insurance. This will
have to be borne by the Tribune Build
ing Company. The Journal occupied
part of the lower floor and basement
and will lose about $50, 00', with about
$50, 600 insurance. The Tribune is in
sured for $4,000 and its loss will be
fully covered. The Tribune Job
Printing Company. occupying the
fifth and sixth floors, will lose
about 5000. with $4,000 insurance.
George F. Hitchcock, court stenogra-
pher, occupied an Office on the fourth
flour. He will lose all the evidence
taken in the district court for years.
Hart & Brewer and Cross & Carlton,
lawyers, lose valuable law libraries.
The Tribune and Tribune-Star. the
0NcuIuS cO1I1On "a VIC 1T1Uuu0, AOSS I'LL
their files.
The Tribune Job Printing Company
is probably the heaviest loser, as it
loses a number of valuable presses, it's
full complement of type and its bind
cry.
A later dispatch says: The bodies Of
seven of the victims OF last nights ter
rible fire in the Minneapolis Tribune
building were recovered and identified
before morning. No attempt to re-
cover any more bodies will be
made before tomorrow, but in
the morning. when the ruins
have had time to cool off, work will be
begun and pushed vigorously. Nothing
more definite than has been already
stated can be given as to the probable
loss of life at this time. It is certain
that ten, and possibly twenty. lives
were lost in the disaster.
The figures as to the loss which were
sent last night have not been materially
changed, the total loss being about $780,
600. The Tribune loss is placed at $780,
600, with $4,000 insurance. The Jour
nal loss is $50, 600, and it is half insured,
and the Tribune job Office lost $4,000
on which there was about $25, 900 insur-
ance. Other minor losses make the ag-
gregate stated, and the insurance foots
up $4,000.