Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-11-05
SWEPT BY FIRE.

Tno Love OVor IOn MILLIONS DoiAhkB-
Some OF the Sufferers.
MILWAUKEE, Oct 29.-Scores of
blocks Of MilwaulSee's largest business
firms, together with hundreds of frame
houses, were destroyed by fire last
night. Commencing in an establish
ment on East Water street. next TO the
river, the flames driven by the fearful
hurricane that was blowing spread with
frightful rapidity to the lake over half
mile to the east. 1t is utterly impos-
sible to estimate the loss with any de-
gree of accuracy. Even complete list
of the big business houses cannot be
obtained, while to these must be added
the small individual losses of hundreds
Of small property owners whose houses
and household goods have been de-
Etroyed.
The tract burned is over half mile
wide east and west and mile north
and south. Commencing in the estab-
lishment of the Union Oil Co. at 275
Water street, the fire was burning
fiercely when the city department
reached the scene. Owing to the hurri-
cane that was blowing the men were
utterly unable to do anything and for
any practical results might rs we'll have
done nothing. In spite OF this the men
worked bravely and did all in their
power, risliing their lives in the burn
ing buildings and endeavoring by tear
ing down blocks in advance OF the path
of the fire to check it. This was in
vain, and all night long the flames con-
tinued along their way from the estab-
lishment on East Water street
Where the blaze started the path of
the fire was in the shape Of an immense
V, the connecting point of the two bars
being in the oil establishment, with
one line extending directly east to the
lake, the other running to the lake in q
southerly direction. Through immense
factories, from four to seven stories
high, which were supposed to be fire.
proof, the flames spread with rs much
case as through the frame cottages,
which they attacked further east. After
wiping out the factories and wholesale
establishments the fire found easy prey
in the scores of blocks filled with
frame houses, which extend east of
Milwaukee street
From here the flames leaped to the
freight house of the Milwaukee, Lake
Shore & Western These caught in the
extreme southern end and in moment
were ablaze along their whole length,
over two blocks. Adjoining the depots
were the freight yards of the same rail-
road, as we'll as of the Chicago & North
western. These yards were filled with
hundreds of loaded cars, oil of which
were quickly consumed As soon as it
was seen that the yards We're in the
path OF the holocaust score of switch
engines were set at work to endeavor
to get the loaded cars out of the yards
As soon rs the destruction of the rail
road yards was assured, the wind, as
though prompted by malice, vcered
from west to northwest. Had it re-
manned in the west, the flame would
have exhausted itself in the lake. Chief
Foley kept the fire confined TO one
block on East Water street until Z
o'clock, when it got away from him and
leaped across the street and began a
rapid march toward Lake Michigan, six
blocks away.
The entire lower part of the Third
ward, inhabited largely by poor Irish
families, is devasted. About 300 dwell
ings have been destroyed and the poor
people have been wandering about the
streets loudly lamenting their losses
Some plan for the relief OF them will
no doubt be made, but ut this time peo-
pie seem to be stunned and are doing
At 10 o'clock the gas works were
burning and frequent explosions oc'
CURED that shook the whole city. The
lights went out The department used
dynamite in an effort to stop the adj
vance of the flames and several build
ings were blown up.
During the course of the fire num-
Der of barns and large livery stables
were burned. These were filled with
horses, which were liberated by the
police. The horses ran wildly about
the streets and before they could be
caught number of persons were run
down and badly injured.
From reports now coming in it would
seem that the number of lives lost will
be considerable.
The losses will reach 100000 600.
At $40 o'clock this morning the FIRE
was under control
Leading insurance men say that
about half of the loss is covered by In
surance. Some of the losses are as fol-
lows: Bubb & Kipp. furniture, $4,000;
]. Mott & Co., paints and oils, $3.50, 600;
j. P. Kissinger, wholesale liquors, $751;
900: Milwaukee mirror works $780,
nm. II Iaedersdorf. tobacco, $780,