Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-04-06
TWO MILLIONS In ASHES.
Big New Orleans Cotton Presses De-
stroyed by Fire.

Big New Orleans Cotton Presses De-
stroyed by Fire.
New ORLEANS, La, April 3.-One of
the most destructive cotton fires on
record broke out at 1920 this morning
among some cotton on the sidewalk in
front of the freproOf press on North
Front Street. The parties who saw the
smoke among the bales gave the alarm
Immediately, and q few minutes later
the bells rang out "42" The depart
ment responded promptly, but the wind
was SO high and the cotton SO dry that
it burned like tissue paper. The flames
ran high, and in an incredibly short
time communicated to the press
itself and were working their
way along the woodwork of the
roof. The fremen worked hard to ar
rest the progress Of the flames, but
their efforts were unavailing. A re-
peated alarm brought more engines to
the scene. Additional pipes were run
out and extra streams Of water thrown
on the flames, but they had no effect
whatever. The woodwork cracked
and fell to the ground and the
bright flames leaped upward from
every part OF the compress.
Through the yards swept the fire, carry
ing devastation with it as it went, burn
ing cotton and wood as ii they were SO
much paper. After three repeated
alarms, a general alarm brought out all
the engines in the city except two Or
three. The freproOf press had about
10000 bales of cotton stored III 1t. This
was entirely consumed
In half an hour after the flames start
ed the tireproof press was totally con-
sumed and the flames had cOmmunl-
Gated to the upper press. The destruc-
| ton here was as great as at the other.
In marvelously short time the flames
had attacked the building from all sides,
cutting their way through the wood
work with wonderful rapidity. In this
press was stored $4,000 bales of cotton,
some of which was taken out and
| brought to place of safety. The maj or
portion of the staple, however, was in
| flames, and it was impossible to save it.
| The fire ate its way along the rafters Of
| the press and down through the wood
work into the cotton which was stored
| beneath the sheds. 1t was only the
cotton stored in the yard that was saved.
1t required but very short time with
| the high wind that was blowing to de-
story this press. The walls were soon
| lettering, endangering the lives of the
iremen. Several of them had narrow
escapes, anu HOW anu Gl6A II GuIlI VI
horror would run through the crowd as
they believed some one in danger or
saw a wall tOtter and fall. The
sight was an awe-inspiring one.
For at least two blocks a
solid sheet OF flames shot upward.
Suddenly q small flame seen toleap sky
ward from a corner of the lndepdnd-
ence press. In a second almost the en-
tire square was ablaze and the flames
formed almost solid block of fire. In
the yard were stored 10000 bales of cot
ton, and III a little time it was con-
sumed. At length four rows of Charred
walls were all that stood to remind one
that a large building had once occupied
| the site. The place was Quilted and its
contents, about 10000 bales, were con-
sumed.
The district burned over is bounded
by Peters, Front, Thalia and Robin
streets and the presses destroyed are as
follows, Fire-prOof, Penrose Bros, man
ayers; South Front Street, southwest
corner of Robin; Shippers, Boyd & Her
rick, proprietors; South Peters
Street, between Henderson and
Robin; independence Cotton Yard,
South Peters Street; Orleans
| cotton press, South Peters, be-
tweed ThaIia and TerpsichOre. The total
amount of cotton burned as near as can
now be ascertained is estimated at So,
900 bales, held by factors and commits
sion merchants, and covered by their
| open policies. Much OF this cetton will
be sent to the Pickeries and
saved, so that the total loss will prob
ably not exceed $50 per bale, making
the total on cotton of between 81, 900, 900
and 50, 225, 900. The loss on presses and
sheds is estimated at $4,000. 1t is
thought the fire started from cigarette
which some person threw among the
cotton.