The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-07
GALVESTON.
Destructive Fire and 100000 of
Santa Fe Railway Property
Destroyed.
Tolar's Land Bill Endorsed in
the West-Happenlngs
Over the State.
Special Telegram to the Statesman. g.

SPoSAo' 1oAOSinnl W IhO oudbSohnh'
GALVESTON, January 30.-About
O'Clock this morning Engineer Burk, who
was at work in the machine shops of the
Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway
company, located in the western part of
the city, was startled by the cry OF fire
outside the building. He ran imm mediately
into the roundhouse adjoining, and dis
covered flames issuing from there. Before
he could effect his escape his clothing was
badly scorohed. About the same hour
some men on the switch engine, near the
Mallory wharf, saw the fire, and under
full headway of steam were not long in
reaching the burning roundho ouse. The
flames had gained considerable headway
before the fire department. arrived upon
the scene, and but little service could be
effected owing to scarcity of water. In
the building was water tank containing
$4,000 gallons, but it could not be reached
account of the intense heat.
The only available cistern containing
few gallons of water was soon pumped dry
Then an effort was made to procure water
from the bay, but without success, owing
to the low tide. While the fire was raging
at its height the adjoining buildings, which
were occupied by brass foundry, tin and
coppersmith shops, pattern workshop and
pattern store rooms, were on fire several
times. Through the energy of Master
Mechanic Barnes they were saved from
destruction. At the head of nearly 200
men supplied with buckets, Mr.. Barnes
made an effective war upon the threaten
ing flames, and soon had them under con-
troll. The roundhouse, which was con-
structed of rude lumber, was soon mass
of smouldering ashes. The machine and
blacksmith shops, which were attached to
the roundhouse, were next made the prey
of the fiery element, and all that re-
NAMED were the smoking aud
charred ruins of twisted and
melted pieces of machinery
Besides total loss of all private Jpapers
and valuable documents in the mechanical
department. the Santa Fe company will
lose nearly all of its machinery, which was
of the latest patterns and designs.
It consisted of new stationary engine,
steam trip hammer, two wheel and axle
laUl6B anu OGu6r LudCulueEy Ndlueu dU
$4,000. In the roundhouse which was
built to accommodate sixteen locomotives
were ten engines, two switch, five passen-
ger and three freight. They were valued
at $4,000 each and were injured nearly
ope-thlrd of their valu The loss on
the roundhouse and other buildings is
estimated at $4,000, which will
bring the total loss to about 100000.
The insurance amounts to $25 600 n ,hs
Royal Insurance company, New York.
1t is thought the fire originated in the
waste room caused by spark from a
passing locomotive. The office of the
chief clerk of the mechanical department.
has been removed temporarily to the room
now occupied by the Car department..
Other officials of the road who have
been robbed of their Offices by the fire have
been given desk room for the present in
the main building on Twenty-ffth and
Strand streets. There were 175 men en-
poyed in this department, the
greater portion of whom will be
thrown out of work. No detention was
caused to the passenger trains, as the
roadway was rapidly cleared of debris.
When asked regarding the rumor to the
feet that the rouDdhouse and car shops
wonld be rebuilt at Temple, Superintend-
ent Phillips answered that nothing of an
official nature had been received from
headquarters. The buildings destroyed
are the boiler shops, machine shops,
roundhouse and blacksmith shop.