The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-04-14
MILLIONS BURNED UP.
Loss of Life and Property by . Cotton Fir
in New Orleans.

Loss Of Life and Property by . Cotton Fire
In New Orleans.
Property valued at 100000 was
destroyed and hundred or more per.
| sons robbed Of their homes by fire at
| New Orleans, Sunday. Flames were
discovered among some cotton In front
of the so-called ireproof press on North
Front street. The department respond
| ed promptly, but the wind was SO high
and the cotton So dry that it burned
like tissue paper. The firemen worked
like demons to arrest tho progress of the
flames, but all their efforts were un-
| availing. Chief O'Connor sounded q
| repeated alarm, which brought more en-
gines to the scene, but they had no effect
| whatever. The woodwork cracked and
fell to the ground ard the bright flames
| leaped upward from every part of the
compress.
After three repeated alarms a general
alarm was sent in, and all the engines
in the city, with the exception Of two
or three, We're called out. The fire.
proof press had about 10000 bales Of
cotton stored in it. This was entirely
consumed.
In half an hour after the flames had
started the fire-proof press was totally
consumed and the flames communicated
to an adjoining press. In this press
was stored $4,000 bales Of cotton, some
of which was taken out to a place Oi
safety. The major portion, however,
was in flames in O short time, and il
was impossible to save it.
Suddenly small flame was seen TO
leap skyward from a corner Of the Inde-
pendence press. In a second almost the
entire square was ablaze, and the flames
formed almost solid block of fire. In
the yard We're stored some ten thousanc
bales. This proved excellent fuel for
the flames, and in a little time it was
consumed.
The total amount OF cotton burned, ae
near as can now be ascertained, is esti.
mated at S0,0oO bales, held by factors
and commission merchants, and covered
by their open policies. Much Of this
cotton will be sent to the pickeries ant
saved, SO that the total loss will prob.
ably not exceed $50 a bale, making the
total on cotton between $4,000, 900 anc
S2.250,O00. Loss on presses and sheds
estimated at $l50,OO0. 1t is thought the
fire started from q cigarette which some
person threw among the cotton.
While the firemen were fighting the
cotton fire an alarm was given Of another
at Laurel and Third streets, about twelve
blocks away. The fire began with the
sacrifice OF two young lives. A little
daughter Of Mrs. Valentine was fill ng
coal-oil lamp when it exploded. 1hs
flaming oil was thrown over an infant
sister and both children were burned tc
death. The flames spread out on theii
mission of destruction making a huge
funeral pyre for the unfortunate little
ones. Chief O'COnnor sent ,veral en-
gines to the scene, but before they could
get down to active work doz, houses
were in flames. Alarms were sent in
and every engine on both sides Of the
river was summoned to the scene. The
heat was intense, and for this reason il
was almost impossible to get near the
burning buildings, the wind in many in.
stances blowing tongues Of flames across
the street.
lie fiames spread in every direction
owing to varying winds. The fire swept
across Laurel street with rapidity that
was at once alarming and soon the Sec
tiCn bounded by First, Third, Laurel
and Magazine streets, four squares, was
ablaze, and the wooden buildings were
devoured as if they were so much chaff.
Magazine street staid the march OF the
desi uctive element westward and acted
as a tarrier on the south. Every build
ing ia the four squares mentioned except
four was destroyed. Most of the
houses were small, but some very hand
some houses on Magazine street were
destroyed. Hundreds Of people have
been LEFT homeless by the fire and in
many cases nothing will be saved. The
scene presented was truly one Of desc.
lation. Nothing remains of the many
handsome buildings embraced in the
four squares but tall, gaunt-lookinR
chimneys, like huge spectral forme
standing guard over the blackened ruins.
The losses by this fire are estimated at
S25O,GOO. 1t is believed that the build.
ings arc mostly insured.