The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-11-18
A DISASTROUS FIRE.
A Million and a Half Dollars
Worth of Property Burned.
Sd Louis is Visited by the Seyerest Fire in
Many Years-One Man Probably
Burned to Death

ST. LOUIS, Nov. II. = The cold wave
which reached this city last evening was
the cause of one of the most disastrous
fires which have visited ST. Louis in many
years. One person is probably killed, four
men badly hurt and million and a half
dollars worth of property gone up in
smoke. The flames spread with almost in
conceivable rapidity, eating their way
through brick blocks as though they were
pine. A cold, westerly gale was blowing
during the time the fire was at its height
rendering the work of the firemen ex-
tremely difficult, and for a time it almost
SEEMED A HOPELESS TASK.
Water poured on the flames seemed to act
as oil instead of extinguishing them. Store
after store went down before the fierce
flames and fears were entertained for a
time that second Chicago disaster was
imminent. The fire ragged from 4 80 a. m.
until 10 o'clock before it could be said to be
fairly under control, and to might the en-
gines are still pouring water on the smok-
ing debris.
The most disastrous fire which has
visited st. Louis in many years started in
the furnace room of the large dry goods
house OF Penny s. Gentlef, on the south
west corner of Broadway aud Franklin
avenue, about 4:30 this morning. The
wstchman Immediately turned in an alarm
and then second and third within ten
minutes. The flames spread SO rapidly a
general alarm was given, which brought
out the entire department. But before the
engines arrived Penny & Gentles, Some
field Millinery company, the mammoth
establishment Of the Famous Shoe and
Clothing company, occupying an entire
block of four story buildings on Broad
way, between Franklin avenue and Morgan
street, were in flames, and within two
hours all the walls had fallen and
NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT ASHES
and bent aud twisted girders. Opposite is
the immense dry goods store of d. G. Craw-
ford & Co. The heat was so intense that
the whole front Of Crawford's store. in
Guiding the display windows and ali the
show cases in the front part of the store
from top to bottom, were badly damaged by
the heat, causing probable loss of $50. COO
On Franklin avenue, opposite Penny &
Gentle's, the whole row from Broadway to
the alley was badly damaged. Adjoining
Crawford's on Broadway the following
business houses were burned out: McDon-
aid Brothers, hats; j. H. Clements shoes:
Charles Silk, gents furnishings and
cloaks; Mrs. Tobin, millinery; Wendell &
Co.; New York Millinery company; SQUARE
Dealing Clothing company, and the Vein
man house, the guests of which
SAFELY EVACUATED THE BUILDING.
On Franklin avenue, just west of Penny
& Gentle's general dry goods store.
Thomas Hodson was damaged by smoke
and water to the extent of $4,000. In
sured.
The fire throws about fifteen hundred
people out of employment, a majority of
them being in the service of the Famous
company, one OF the largest boot and shoe
houses in the west. One life is probably
lost, Night Watchman Jasper, employed by
the Sonnenfeld Millinery company. not
having been seen to-day. Fireman John
Lynch and Simon were badly injured bv
falling debris. Michael Connors, a roomsr
at the Weinman house, becoming alarmed
at the sight of fire,
JUMPED FROM TIE WINDOW
and broke his leg. A. S. Taylor news
paper man, received severe shock from
the electric wires.
Losses are about as follows: Famous
Shoe & Clothing company, 500, 900; Penny
d Gentle, S240, 600; Sonnenfeld's, S245. 600.
Minor losses will aggregate S35, 600. The
insurance Is about twO-thirds of the losses.
During the time this fire was burning
the handsome residence Of Captain John A.
Scudder in the aristocratic residence por-
ton Of the city was destroyed by ire with
house full of costly furniture. The loss
here will exceed S75, 900. Fully insured.