The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-20
A HURRICANE OF FLAME.
MICHIGAN TOWN soReLY STRICKEN.
Twenty Blocks In Hus&sgon Wiped Out
and Hundreds Of People Made Home
less-One Life Believed 10 BE Lost
Terrible Visitation.

MUsKEGoN, Mich. May 16.-This city sui.
fered q second visitation from the flames this
afternoon. The FIRE started at $50 o'clock in the
Launkewell hotel barns, and aided BY a strong
wind swept across the city. Twenty-Five blocks
were devastated as if swept by hurricane of
fire. The 100000 courthouse was Quilted. but
its public documents were saved. Prisoners in
the county jail, which occupied the basement
of the courthouse, were liberated. Several
cows and horses were burned, and little
child, who was sleeping in the LGunkeven
barns, where the FIRE started, is missing.
By 9 o'clock the fire had reached the south.
ern district of the city, where there is more
space between the houses, and the fremen suo-
ceeded in considerably reducing further prog.
ress Of the flames. Two Grand Rapids engines
were put to work as soon as they arrived. To-
night twenty blocks Of business houses and
dwellings are in smoldering ruins. The total
at $50. A conservative estimate of the total
loss is 10000. Total insurance unobtainabls.
Hundreds OF families are thrust upon their
friends for accommodations The night scene
reminds one of the last days of POmsii."
Among the sad incidents connected with the
fire was the death of Harry Stevens. assistant
postmaster, and the son of Postmaster Stevens.
He was very i'll with pneumonia aud the
flames made it necessary to remove him to .
place of safety. He died amid the crash OF
falling houses while being removed.
MUsKBGON, Mich, May Light from
the smOuldering ruins OF yesterdays fire
Illuminated the heavens for miles around
until the early hours OF this morning.
Firemen continued to battle the flames
till daylight, when they were practically
extinguished. Men, women and children
continued to search in the neighborhood
of the recent happy homes for what
might have escaped fire and water. People
whose homes were saved stood in their
doors and welcomed the rich and poor alike,
providing quarters until Others could be
secured. There was open hearted sympa-
thy on every hand and nearly al the
homeless were provided with shelter 4
few homeless people slept in tents. IS
yet there Is no general movement looking
to the raising of funds for the distressed,
but that will be done tomorrow as soon as
the excitement subdues some. There Ia
room for much charitable work, as many
of the poor families are destitute.
The Muskegon water system held out
well, but the high winds from the North
baffled all efforts OF the fremen, end the
buildings caught and fell like chat before
the winds. All the stores except eight
were OF frame and two stories high. None
OF the safes have been opened, so il is not
known whether valuable papers are saved.
The most costly building burned was
the stone court house. Ii WAS OF brick
and stone, and contained the Jail, sheriffs
residence, the offices of the treasurer.
clerk, Judge of probate. and the rooms of
the circuit court. Ii was valued at $4,000
and insured for So, 600 The large vaults
containing all the important documents
are supposed to have stood the ordeal. A
call has been issued and the board of
supervisors will meet next Tuesday morn
ing TO arrange for the immediate
erection of new court house
and arrange also for temporary
quarters for the county officers. The
Daily Chronicle has started relief fund for
the destitute aud sums forwarded TO that
paper will be acknowledged and turned
over 10 a relief committee 10 be expended
among the destitute. One thing over
which all people rejoice is that no human
| lives were lost. A large number OF horses.
/ cows. etc, which were in barns could not
| be saved. Several explosions occurred in
! the burning buildings, but no one was in
iured, although several fremen had their
hands and faces so seriously scorched that
they had to be removed.
Today those families, who were lust out
side the burned district and who had to
move their goods, are busy moving back.
1t is simply impossible 10 give any accu-
rate figures on losses and insurance, as
the figures are not to be compiled. lnsur-
ance men say the total loss will be easily
! S500,000 and the insurance 100000.
The latest estimate places the loss st
nearly $50, 600 with insurance for about
one-third that amount.