The Helena independent., 1891-04-13
Two Theatres and Numerous Busi-
ness Buildings Wiped Out
by Flames.
A Policeman's Goodness Prevents
Terrible Panic in Burn
ing Museum.
Freaks Narrowly Escape but the Monkeys
Perisish-Wild Scenes in Hotel
Casualties and Incidents.

CHICAGO, April 12.-Chicago this evening
suffered one of the most destructive blazes
that has occurred here since the big fire of
1871. The loss is fully $1.00O,OOO. It was
at almost the geographical center of the
city that the flames were started, and like
the terrible disaster of twenty years ago,
began in stable. In this case the stable
was the property of the well-known furni-
ture manufacturer and politician, John M.
6mythe, and was located in the rear of his
big house furnishing establishment on
West Madison street, near Halstsad street.
The flames speedily communicated to the
furniture establishment, and moment
later to Kohl q Middleton's dime museum.
"A general alarm to the fire department was
soon followed by special calls for extra
engines, as the fire was seen to be gaining
ground with extraordinary rapidity. In
less than five minutes smoke was
pouring from every window in the museum,
and enveloping the huge six-story building
occupied by Smvthe. In a marvellously
short time both structures had been turned
into mass of fame, great fiery tongues
darted across the street aud lodged in the
upper stories of buildings ON the north side
of Madison street. A moment later the
firemen found themselves working between
two towering walls of flame. For time it
looked as though the fire would get beyond
control, and as in 1871, sweep toward the
lake. To add to the trouble the wind was
blowing stiff gale from the west. Proba-
bly, twenty Thousand people gathered in
the neiRhboring streets Watching the
progress of the possible impending calami-
Sy. !. At this critical iuncture, however, She
alstEpline of the fire dsrartrasnt became
,nagnihcently apparent. The men oheyed
orders, stood steadily in tho street
where the flames scorched them from either
side, and, after fierce battle, at length
brought the fire in a measure under con-
4rol. An immense blaze, however, contin-
Ned to rage in the buildings already partly
destroyed. The museum was nothing but
4 heap of ruins and the walls of the Smythe
building were falling one after another.
Fortunately they all fell inward and no
persons were injured. Across the street
also the walls succumbed to the furious
onslaught. The upper story of the three
story building on the northwest COR
ner of Madison and Union streets
caught fire. The flames lodged around the
windows of the fifth story of the Haymar-
ket theater building and were soon stretch
ng along under the mansard roof. Just
west of tho Haymarket. the five story build
ing of the Peoples Quitting company
buildings between Union street and the
Haymarket block were wiped out, as we'll
as those on the south side of the street. In
the Haymarket the fire was confined to the
upper story but the whole building was
FLIED with smoke ana water. "a
The first intimation the inmates ofssKohl
B Middleton's museum had of the close
proximity of the fire was when some one
opened the window on the third hoor,
through which volume of smoke poured.
A wild panic followed among the 400 per-
sons in the building most of whom. for
tunately, were on the first floor Watching
the variety performance. They were ap-
I rised of the danger by the stampede on
the upper floors and as they rose to their feet
and fled preoipitately toward the front
creasing the. terror. The emergency
brought out II hero in the person of Police
1nan Patrick Sheehy. Forcing his way
through the frightened people, who were
nadly retarding each other he sta
TONED himself at the head of the
his intention xiii the first person who le.
fused to ola ais orders. BY coolness and |
determination he succeeded in quieting the |
panic, and with one exception everybody |
reached the street in safety. The exception
was O. FL. Messenger, young man who
Sheehy reached the stair landing, and was
frightfully injured. Several persons fol-
lowing him ST, pped, horror-stricken, long
enough to be 34rralled by Sheehy and his
revolver. One old lady fell when near the
bottom OF the stairs and broke her
arm arm As soon as Officers Sheehy cleared
The people out he went up to the third
hoor, where scores of monkeys were in
cages. He wrenohed apart the iron bars OF
the cages SO that the little animals could
escape, but with innate perverseness, and
10 the chagrin of Sheehy, they soampered
policeman nearly lost his own life getting
down stairs. no excitement among the
freaks, who were Oh exhibition on the third
Aoor, was pitiful. They were practically
lnable to help themselves, and were with
iifiiculty restrained from throwing them
ey'' caTer iTe tSs ts' sspeons Sipaows Mad
'eizsd her midget son, dragged her
elf to the rear window and was about to
hrow the child out when she was restrained |
~ Manager Belmont, who with difficulty
'scorted them down stairs. A. ID, I4sfa-
,ette, father Of the big-hoaded boy. who
vas 30 top-heavy he could not navigate
lone, seized the bov END, while leading
lin out found the Albino girl nlmost blind
md cropping nbout in the smoke. With the
ia-headed boy under he arm, he seized
10 Albino, dragged her to tho stairway (
I'd soon reached the street.
The fire in the Haymarket theater was
covered just twenty minutes before tho
ia net. Tho smoke was bnrsly perceptible
WIN the manager stepped out ON the stage
nhendeavored to persuade the audience to
hiNut in order. At this moment some one
shyed fire" and panic seemed imminent
Ihexcitement was partially sAbduod by
propt work on the part of the ushers and
theheatro WA soon cleared without
casIties.
JIbctore the west wall of tho Smythe
builNR fell Il YentureAoma hoy olimed nn | /,