Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-17
AN ENTIRE BLOCK
Succumbs to the Cravings of
the Fiery Demon.
POOR WATER PRESSURE
At the Outset Results in Five Dwellings
Being Raced that Should be Stand
ing To-Day - Notes Gathered
During the Confiagration.

Last night at 1850 the fire department
was called to corner Rusk and Fourth
streets, where the extensive livery stables
and carriage and feed sheds of the NARROW
Bros. were on fire. The fire started in the
feed sheds in the southeast corner of the
block. The wind being in the south, the
flames were rapidly famed until in less
time than it takes to tell it the entire rear
end of the establishment was one mass of
flames
The department was out in an extraord-
inarily short time and had several lines of
hose run, while the two engines were send
ing sparks heavenward before the hose car
riages were checked, and the tiremen were
at the nozzle end yelling, "Waterv
"Wateri' Give US water!"
Notwithstanding this uneXcelled work of
the firemen, the streams coming from the
plugs would not reach the caves of a one
story house
All this while the flames were viciOuSly
eating away at the tempting morsel before
them. and had enwrapped the entire livery
department and sheds.
The engineers of the two engines gave the
signal that all was ready, and cheer went
up from the tiremen, and in iiffy two ele-
giant streams were playing on the livery
stable Oh the south portion of the block,
while the entire block was surrounded by
numerous weaker streams from the water
Plugs IN the vicinity.
On the north sid of the block, fronting
Third street, Were five dwelling houses,
their rears extending to the narrow alley
between them and the carriage sheds.
These were doomed. So intense was the
heat, famed against them by stiff south
wind, to save them was an utter impoSsi-
bility.. The tiremen realized this, but
never weakened in their efforts,
and fought as they never fought
hlfN fo,, In hi of from n.ES
one block north was ablaze from flying Gin
ders at many times on the roof, and to con-
fine the fire to the block in which it origin
ated was the aim. All the residences in
the block were totally destroyed except the
one on the corner of Third and Rusk and
this was so badly damaged as ton ecessitate
an entire new structure.
The stables and shed We're the property
of the NARROW Bros, proprietors of the
stables. This structure covered an entire
half block. except 4 small blacksmith shop
which covered about 25X50 feet, which was
run by BowleS a. Co. The value of the
buildings is estimated at about $500 or
$1,000, and were well stocked with hay
and corn, and contained, perhaps, one
hundred vehicles and 100 horses. II is
thought four horses and two Jersey COWS
persisted, while perhaps a half dozen bug
gies were burned. The NARROW Bros. did an
extensive business in boarding horses and
caring for private rigs, and great was
the alarm when the people saw the flames.
The horses were cut from their stalls and
forced pell-meu into the streets. but the
greatest efforts were necessary to keep
them from the burning building.
The dwellings fronting on Third street
were four and six room structures, all &C.
cupied, and were the property of John
Iierncy, valued at from 800 to $1,000 each.
Very little of the household effects they
contained were saved, and whatw was carried
out was carried so recklessly that very little
of it is of any good. Many Of the rooms
were let to roomers, and in most all cases
everything was lost.
The buildings of Mr.. Tierney were in
sured but to what extent could not be
learned last night.
NARROW Bros heaviest loss is on feed
and the buildings, all of which were only
partially insured.
the stables at night had refused to permit
couple of boys to sleep in the stables, and
they had some words. In short time the
Waterman or man ' IN charge
but did not go far, and upon his return dis
covered the fire and gave the alarm, and it
is thought these boys through malice ap-
in that part of the stables at
any time during the day, and
electric lights were used, not even Ian
tern, so the theory that it originated as
above indicated is strong one. The boys
names could not be learned last night but
the police have description, and no doubt
before this is read they will be run in.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
The poor water pressure from the plugs
was the comment of the vast throng of
people
the fire was the hottest the boys have
had to contend with in many day. there
being no walls to protect them, everything
being infammable.
The fire occurred just as the curtain was
ringing down at the opera house, and the
people turned out to see it.
The large gathering at the courthouse at
the meeting of the Democratic club was
The ''star chamber session of the city
too, was in session, and no doubt
when the large bell over their heads
rang out they were discussing
the ACCESSIBILITY of doing away
with the salaried part of the fire depart
under shed to rust or that the present
system was adequate to
combat with the fiery demon at
any stage of the game. AT any rate they
were all on the ground, and saw just what
could be expected of the pressure in case
of an emergency.
The Fencible hop was in full blast Just
across the corner at the Mansion house,
23617fhe bellies and beauX had a fine view
ll6ff the verandas on the east and north
1t was exciting times when not less than
one hundred horses, wild and neighing,
stampeded in the streets, and, strange to
say, no person was injured.
A second and third alarm was turned in,
and fine run was made by the Tucker
Hill department. and did good service in
laying line of hose in remarkable short
time.
Chief Adams and his assistants handled
the men in fine order, and had there been
water at the outset the dwellings north of
the alley would have been standing this
Dr. Ansell lives on First and Jones.
Some of the flying sheets of fire dropped in
his yard and set on fire clothes line of
clothes. This was three blocks from the
Gre.
The windows in the new resbyterian
church are said to be badly damaged
Assistant City Attorney Jack son lived in
one. Of the houses burned, SDdi it is said
ost everything.
A sight worth s1sl The grand OPEN
ing of the L: An5eSs; stock to-day,