New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-17
THE FIRE RECORD.
LAFAYETTE'S CARRIAGE WAS SAVED!
A CONSIDERABLE PART OF THE ST. JOSEPH
EXPOSITION BURNED.

EXPOSITION BURNED.
81. Joseph, NO., Sept. 16.-The New Era Exposition
was destroyed by fire last night The fire started Just
after the close of the evening concert by Bachs
chestra, and the buildings and grounds were stIll
thronged with visitors. The art gallery had just
been closed, when flames seen Issuing from the
roof OF the passageway the south end Of the main
hail. The alarm was Immediately given and the fire
company which kept on the grounds by the
management responded promptly. The fire spread
along the passageway in both directions toward the
art han and the main building and when the fremen
got 10 work they found that they had two fires TO
hght Attention was first directed to the main build
Ing In the hope Of checking the flames there In the
meantime the flames made rapid progress among the
inhammable material in the hall, and the heat be-
came SO Intense that It set fire the outside of the
end of the main hall The flremen had almost subdued
the flames within, but when this new danger arose
they saw that their efforts the building would
be In VAIN They fought brayely for hour but
forced to retire. The St. Joseph remen offered their
assistance but the distance Of two miles from the city,
where the exposition located rendered it mpOsSi-
BILE for them to do anything The nearest hydrant was
fully mile and a half from the fire, excepting the
one being used by the exposition fremen When 1t
was seen that the fire could not be stayed in the main
and art halls efforts made to prevent its spread
Ing. In this they were successful, and the twenty
nine smaller buildings surrounding saved. While
1t was yet possible TO enter the main building with
safety, Broncho Joe' organized his band of Apache
indians, and leading them into the blazing hail. d.
rected them to what they could OF the contents
The carriage used by General Lafayette his visit 10
America was exhibition and the Indians carried 1t
from the hall. They attempted to make another sally
into the building, but the heat was too great. The
carriage was the only thing saved The loss on the
art hall and Its contents, consisting of exhibits OF art
by local talent principally amounts TO about S0OOOO
The main hall cost 5000 in construction, and the
contents consisting of exhibits Of all kinds, were
valued at similar figure. The largest Individual
losses suffered by the studebakers, whose eX-
hbit Of carriages valued at $4,000 and the uyeH
Piano Company whose display of panofortes was
valued at 1880 The cylindrical steel car the city
OF 81. Joseph manufactured by the Steel Car Com
pany, OF ST. Joseph at cost OF 100000, was also de-
stoyed. The total loss IS difficult to estimate on ac-
count Of the varied nature Of the exhibits, but the
figure Ia placed at S250,0O0.
The fire is supposed to have originated from an I'M
perfectly insulated electric light wire. The eXpoSt
ton will be continued In spite Of the disaster and the
displays OF many of the exhibitors Will be replaced IN
the smaller buildings.
Captain Foster, Of this city, who had charge OF me
cereal exhibit had a sleeping IN the attic Oh inc
Art Hall. He retired early last night No one
thought TO awaken him when the fire started ana ne
burned TO death. His charred remains Weio
found IN the ruins this morning.