Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-04-17

IN the museum and cnvcloping the
huge six story building occupied by
Smytn. Ia mar,clously short time.
both structures had turned into mass
of flames. Great fiery tongues dartcd
across the street and lodged in the up.
per stories of the buildings on the
north side of Madison street \ mo
mcnt later the frcmcn found them
selves working between two TOW ering
walls of flame
the OUTLOOK ALARMING.
For time il looked as though the
conilngration would get beyond con-
troll. and as in 1871. sweep toward the
lake. To add To the trouble the wind
was blowing a stiff gale from the west.
Probably 10000 people gathered in the
neighboring streets, watching the pro-
grcss Of the possible impending ca
lamity. At this critical juncturc, how
ever. the thorough discipline of the fire
became magniiicently ap-
parent. The men obeycd orders, stood
steadily in the street where the flames
scorchcd them from either side. and
after fierce battle at length brought
the fire in measure under control.
An immense blaze, however, continued
to rage in the buildings already partly
destroyed. The museum was nothing
but heap Of ruins. and the walls OF
the Smy;h building were falling one
after another Fortunately they all
fell inward and no persons were injured
Across the steet, the walls also soon
succumbed 10 the furious onslaught
The upper story Of the three-story
building on the northwest corner %!
Madison and Union streets caught fire.
The flames started around the win.
dows Of the fifth story of the Haymar-
ket thcater building. and were soon
stretching along under the mansard
roof Just west Of the Haymarket, the
fvc-story building of the Peoples Out
fitting Company caught fire in front.
Despite all efforts, the buildings be-
tween Union street and the Haymar-
ket block were wiped out, as well as
those on the south side OF the street.
In the Haymarkct the fire was confined
to the upper story, but the whole build
ing was filled with smoke and water.
IN TIE MUSEUM.
The first intimation the inmates OF
Kobe & Middleton's museum had Of
the close proximity of the fire was
when one opened window on the
third floor, through which n volume of
smoke poured. A wild panic followed
among the 400 persons in the building,
most Of whom fortunately were on the
first floor, watching the variety per
formance. They were apprised of the
danger by u stampede on the upper
floors. As they arose 10 their feet and
fed precipitately toward the front door,
the fire appeared at the rear windows,
their terror. The emergen-
cy brought out hero in the person OF
Policeman Patrick Shcchy. Forcing
his way through the frightened people.
who were madly retarling eacl, other,
he stationed himself at the head of the
stairs and drawing revolver. declared
his intention Ia kill the first person
who refused to obey his instructions
BY his coolness and determination he
succeeded in quieting the panic. and
with one exception, everybody reached
the street in perfect safety. The ex-
ception was c. II. Messenger, a young
man. who leaped from the window be-
fore Officer sheehy reached the stair
landing, and was frightfully injured.
Several persons following him stopped,
horror stricken, long enough to be cor
ralcd by Sheehy and his revolver. One
old lady fell, when near the bottom Of
the stairs, and broke an arm. So soon
~ Officer Sheehy cleared the people
out, he went up to the third floor,
where scores OF monkeys were Gagged.
He wrenched apart the iron bars of the
cages, so that the little animals could
escape. but with mate perverseness
and 10 the chagrin OF Sheehy, they
scampered no stairs and were burned
to death. The policeman nearly lost
his own life getting down stairs.
EXCITEMENT AMONG TIE FREAKS.
The excitement among the freaks
who were on exhibition on the third
floor, was pitiiul. They were practical
" unable TO help themselves, and wer'
with difficulty restrained from throw
ing themselves from the windows
Madame Carver, the 000-pound woman
seized her midget son, dragged herscl
10 the rear window, and was about tt
throw the child out, when she was re
strained by Manager Belmont, wh'
with difficulty escorted them dowi
stairs. A. d. Lafayette, father OF th'
big.hcaded boy, who is '"P-he"vy and