San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-11-07
ghe Daily Eight.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1899.
DISASTROUS FIRE.

Which is Estimated viii Cost $685.
900 to Repair.
This morning little before 3
o'clock, the fire fiend began its work
in the Bijou restaurant and dining
parlors on Commerce street, popularity
known as Harnish and Baer's restau-
rant and in a very short time the
building was a wreck, and the adjoin-
ing building of H. Killing, Shoe and
Leather findings, was also greatly
damaged.
How the fire originated Is not
known though there are sew eral
theories advanced. 1t was first dis
covered when the flames were seen
at the rear of the building bursting
forth through the roof. The fire de-
partment was summoned, and after
a lapse of about 10 minutes, the two
engines and the hose men responded
and worked hard i'm the pouring rain
to save the building and those adj
joining. They succeeded in saw
ing the buildings. Mission Hose
company was disabled partially
from doing effective work, as
they could not use their own truck,
the horse they should have had to
draw it being lame from q nail in its
foot and not fit for use. This cOmpa-
ny used Hose company No. 2's truck.
While the fire was in progress, and
while some of the city police were in
side the building, the big steam boil
or upstairs in the kitchen exploded
and burst large hole in the western
wall. After the fire the damage done
was terrible to behold. The results
of twenty-five years ofincessant labor
by Mr.. Harnisch and the Misses Baer
were gone for naught. All their stock,
which had been greatly added to for
the fair rush of business, was destroy
ed by fire and water. Tons of provi-
sions were ruined. All the fixtures,
elegant in their appointments, were
destroyed, costly mirrors were
broken, heavy silverware, just
received from the manufacturer,
was melted into shapeless Jumps
of metal, fine ia BILE linen, and beauti-
full china and bric-.-brac were rem
dered unsightly scorched masses.
while the building was completely
Quilted upstairs and badly damaged
below stairs, and in the beautiful
garden fronting on the river, the
effects of the fire were also seen. One |
theory is that the fire was incendiary,
but the firm say they knew not that
they had an enemy so vindictive as
to cause them such loss.
Another theory, and this is not
carried out by the statements of the |
employees, is that it originated in |
the kitchen. 1t is true that the kitch- |
en- part is the worst damaged, but Mr.. |
George Weber, who was the last to |
leave the building, says he knows |
positively there was no fire in the |
range or under the broiler when he |
closed for the night at $50 o'clock. |
The fires are all most carefully at |
tended to, and the lights in the build |
ing are from electric arc lamps.
Still another theory, and the facts |
will bear it out, is that electricity |
caused the fire. And it either origi- |
mated from the electric wires in the |
building, or the dummy waiter col
umn in the rear was struck by light |
ming during the thunder storm that |
had prevailed half hour before and |
communicated with the intiammable |
woodwork.
The insurance on the building
is carried by agents Sauer, Moye,
Lay and FIorian Brothers,
and on building and stock amounts to |
about $4,000.
The damage to building, stock and |
fixtures, as well as the loss of bust |
ness during the time repairs will be |
made, will foot up not less than |
$4,000.
The double two-story store of Fl. |
Killing adjoining is damaged to the |
extent of $4,000 or $4,000. Mr.. Ril- |
ling places his loss at this amount, on |
his stock of shoes and fine leather |
His upstairs stock is completely |
ruined and below there is great dam |
age by fire, water and smoke, to the |
shoe department. He is insured for
$4,000, $1,000 on building, $4,000 on
leather department and $1,000 on shoe
While the adjusters are making
their reports, both Harnisch and
Baer's and Killings places will be
closed.