Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-02-19

Oh1ICAGO, ILL.,, T0D. lo.-COf dlLDOft Ill
hour, this morning, property OF the value
OF at least SIS, 900, 900 stood in imminent
danger Of destruction. That the threat
ened disaster did not eliminate is due
to the prompt and vigorous work of the
fire department.
Five minutes to o'clock mercurial
alarm, located in the sixth story Of the
big Farwe1l building, corner of Adams
and Market Streets, gave the first intel
ligence of the blaze to the fire insur
ance patrol. Capt. O'Neill, imme-
diately upon his arrival, sent in a
ceived that the fire was rapidly
gaining Roadway and threatened the
whole structure. A all alarm brought
to the spot thirtytwo steamers, seven
trucks, and as many chemical engines,
besides two fire boats, the Chicago and
the Geyser.
This portion of the building was
occupied by Taylor Bros, dealers in
hats and caps, and Work Bros, deal
ers in clothing and uniforms. A
heavy fire wall, which runs through
the middle of the structure, prevented
the spread of the flames to the north
ern half Of the building, which is flied
with the heavy wholesale stock of dry
goods of the Messrs. Farwell.
One life will probably be lost, and sew
eral other fremen are seriously injured.
VIM. Sallander, while on a thirty six
foot ladder on the south wall, was
knocked from his footing and fell to the
stone pavement below. He struck on
his head and WAS picked up uncon-
scious. His skull was fractured, and he
was internally injured. John Meyers
fell with the crashing in of the third
floor, and was dragged out more dead
than alive by his comrades. 1t is not
thought, however, that he is fatally
hurt. Three other men were cut about
the face, head and hands by flying glass
and particles, but none Of them Sc
riously.
1t is yet mystery IS to how the fire
started. There are no furnaces, stoves
or other device for heat in the basement
except gas, and as this was burning all
night it is not thought probable that it
was the cause. All the heat used is
furnished from the wholesale establish
ment of j. V. Farwell 4 Co., by means
VI q PIpO 1uuuiIS IIIOu1u lu0 uT0 Will.
The fire comes especially heavy on the
firms in the burned building, owing to
the coming spring trade, for which all
had been preparing hundreds of or
ders had been filled, while as many
more we're on the files. Not less than
$500 persons will be thrown out of en-
ployment.
j. Y. Farwell, Jr., said the DESTROYED
building was worth about 100000. He
said his firm had no apprehension OF
danger from the fire. 81 did not think
the fire could get out of the building in
which it first started" said he. "The
fire walls on each side of the building
separating it from the other stores in
the block are made Of concrete, and are
absolutely freproof These fire walls
are unique in Chicago architecture.
Instead of the regulation brick, stone
or thing, they are composed of concrete
or broken rock mixed with cement.
They were kept in place when first
built by framework, which was re-
moved after the concrete had hard
ened. The wall thus made is practical
~ one piece of stone"
The fire caused great confusion among
the hundreds of girls who work in the
manufacturing establishments in the
vicinity. There were hundreds of
them on their way to work, and nianv
OF them remained in the street fearful
lest the fire should reach their work
shops.
A careful estimate of the loss, made
after the fire was under control, places
the total damage at $475, 900, OF which
Mr.. Work loses $325.OU0; Taylor Bros.
300, ZOO, and Farwell & Co., on the build
mo SI00 Ofl0