Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-10
AN AWFUL CONFEDERATION
st. Johns, Newfoundland,
Laid in Ashes.
The Second Time 1t Has Been
Swept by Fire.
Twenty Million Dollars Worth of
Property Destroyed.
Public Buildings, Principal Business
Pnblic Buildings, Principal Business
and Hundre of Residences Con-
sumed - Fifteen Thousand
People Homeless
By the Associated press.l

BY the Associated Press.l
HALIFAX, N. s., July 9.--Forty.si1
years and a month ago today fire
broke out in st. John, the capital o
Newfoundland, that destroyed a great
part of the city. the damage don,
amounting to 21,000,000, and several
lives were lost. Yesterday afternoon 6
fire broke out in st. Johns that threat
ems to far exceed the money damage and
loss of life Of that disastrous confagra
tion. About O'Clock house on Longs
Hill was discovered to be on fire. When
the firemen arrived a southwest wind
that was prevail ling caused the fire tc
spread TO an adjoining building. Des
perate efforts were made to stop the
progress of the fire, but soon most oil
the houses on Longs Hill were burning
Large burning brands were caught up
by the wind and carried to rows of other
structures which were soon burning
furiously. 1t was seen that the fire de.
partment was helpless, and the people
living in the path of the fire began 10
remove their portable household effects
and valuables. 1t is feared some oi
IQtEb pSUpI6 lOSb Un0lr lives,
While the dwelling houses were burn
ing unhindered, it was found that the
new Methodist college was on fire. EFF
forts were made to save the building,
but they were fruitless. The college was
the educational headquarters of the
Methodists in Newfoundland, and its
loss will be severely felt by the denomi-
nation.
BY this time the wind was blowing a
gale and the fire was spreading with
terrible rapidity. Buildings situated
some distance from the burning etruct,
ure caught fire from the burning embers
and were destroyed without hand
being raised to attempt to save them.
The firemen and people were completely
paralyzed, and the fire did its work OF
destruction without stay. 1t was now
growing dark, and it was mag
ni6cently beautiful though an ap.
palling and terrible sight. Building after
building caught fire and the whole city
was as light as day. The roar of the
flames was terrible, and the heat was
so intense that.it was impossible to get
any where near the buildings. Now
and then high and heavy walls would
fall, and immense masses of burning
embers soar upward to be caught by the
gale and carried elsewhere to add other
buildings to the confagration. Men,
women and children ran about in terror,
and thieves, taking advantage OF the
confusion, entered houses that had
been deserted and stole whatever they
could lay their hands on carry off.
The Masonic temple, Orange hall, the
Roman Catholic cathedral and bishops
palace, st. Patrick's hall, the English
cathedral, the Athensum, the Kirk Com
mercial bank, the Union bank, the At
lantic hotel and Linberg's brewery all
fell prey'to the devouring elements.
The English Cathedral was tlagnifi-
cent structure, and waa considered to be
the finest piece of Gothic architecture
on this side the Atlantic. 1t was yet in
complete, though it had been fifty years
in building. Nearly all these buildings
were in the center Of the city, and be-
fore long were masses Of smoking ruins.
In addition to this, the court house, po-
lice headquarters and government saw
ings bank were destroyed, as were also
the Presby terian church and the Office
of the Telegram.
The flames were now raging with in
creasing vigor in the direction Of the
water front, and in short time eating
up the warehouses along the wharves.
The shipping lying at the wharves had
been warned of the danger, and the
crews OF the various vessels hastily cast
off the lines and took the crafts outside
the harbor.
The fires burned out the telegraph
Office, and for time communication
with st. Johns was cut off. This morn
ing, however, the telegraph officials
established temporary offices in what
they considered safe part of the city,
and further details were received.
These later dispatches stated that the
fire had ragged all night and threstened
to destroy the whole city.
1t is known positively that one man
and six children perished, but it is,
thought that when the terrible excite
ment that now prevails subsidies, it will
be found that the loss of life ie much
greater.
Many Of the 900 buildings burned up
to this morning we're dwelling houses,
and their occupants have been COM
PEELED to seek refuge in the fields. The
military authorities have furnished as
many tents as possible, and the civil
authorities are doing everything in their
power the distress. Many unfortunates
lost everything they had in the world,
and imperative calls will be made upon
charity in their behalf.
This morning the fire communicated
to the seal oil factories and stores, and
the whole south side of the city was
burning. A large wave of fire was COM
ing down the Fresh Water valley, and
the whole population of st. Johns were
in the agony OF despair, seeing before
them the complete extinction OF the
city.
Fire later in the afternoon broke out
in Monkstown, in which are situated the
residences of the wealthy inhabitants OF
the town.
The loss up to noon was fully sc, ,6OO.-
600, and it is estimated that IL, 900 per
sons are homeless.
Soon after noon the wires again failed.
the fire probably having reached the
new Office.
A committee of Halifax citizens TODAY
purchased $4,000 worth Of provisions and
lumber, which will be sent to st. Johns
by steamer tonight. The military ard
naval authorities also sent lot of tents
and canvas, and public meeting is to
be held Monday to establish general
relief service.
At 20 minutes to o'clock tonight tel
egraphic communication with St. Johns
was restored. The first dispatch re-
ceived after the wires were again in