The morning call., 1892-10-30
MILWAUkEE'S LOSS.
Twenty-Five Hundred People Rendered
Homeless by the Fire.

MILWAUKEE. Oct. 29. The seems In the
burned district this morning was one oil the
blackness of desolation. A black pail OF
smoke hovers over the great area, relieved
here and there by a lambent tongue of fame
like that of some carnivor0us monster,
hungry vet for more prey But the destroyer
has received his death blow and is power
less to infiict further injury. Where last
night stood stately business houses with
their wealth of merchandss, the little
homes Of the working poor and all that goes
TO make up the life of Il great city, Is to-day
a heap of hot and smoking ruins. In twel I've
hours. from 6o'elock last night, was DIVIDED
the destruction that will take more than as
many months TO repair, and much OF the
work wrought by the flames can never lie
restored.
Starting at the store of the Union OH
Company in East Water street, the hre,
swept before fierce gale, licked up, over
thirteen blocks of business houses and resi-
dences, more than 800 houses In all, ana
caused the loss of five lives and S6,OUO00
worth Of property. Ii isn0w entirely under
control, bat the ruins in places are burning
nefeely and il will be several days before
the last spark is extinguished The gas
works were at one time in imminent dan
ger. but by good management they were
fortunately saved almost intact, and IN
day or two the city will have its usual gas
supply.
The aggregate Of insurance carried on the
burned property, exclusive of that carried
by the Northwestern Railroad, which has q
blanket policy, is S3, ,250, coo, divided mong
about 175 companies. 1T Is feared that some
small insurance companies Will be badly
crippled
1t is known that five lives were lost and
four people seriously hurt. The killed are
Henry Pedcenbroch and Charles Starr, fire.
men, and an unknown man. crushed under
falling walls, Mrs. Kalahan, and an un-
known woman, both Of whom died from the
effects of shock. 1t IS feared that the watch
man of the Bub & Kipp Company's ware
house was burned in the factory. That the
loss of life was so small is cause for con-
graduation.
1t was shortly after O'Clock that Mayor
Somers saw that the city needed help. He
at once telegraphed to the Adjutant- Cen
eral for the militia and to Waukesha, Osh-
kosh, Kenosba, Racine and Chicago for FIRE
apparatus. Prompt replies were received
IN every instance, and the fremen FROM out
side did efficient work. as did the militia In
the way OF guarding property, keeping the
crowds back and rescuing endangered per-
sons.
A close estimate Of the people rendered
homeless, based on the recent registration
IN the burned district, places the number at
5000. Nearly all are poor and have lost the
little they possessed and are dependent on
outside help.
Last night hOspitablc citizens threw open
their homes to them, and means are being
taken to provide for their immediate wants.
The GermaHia Society has decided to turn
over the receipts Of the fair 10 be held next
week; 5000 has been subscribed by the
Democratic candidates for office, and $500
has ceen received from the Republican State
Central Committee OF Illinois.
Several hundred business men assembled
al the Board Of Trade this morning to raise
funds for the sufferers. In a short time
nearly S5e,000 in subscriptions rad beer
announced. Among then>Were $1,000 5r.
L. ID. Armour Of Chicago. $1,000 each from
the Wisconsin Fire ana Marine Insurance
Bank, John l.. Mitchell. c. i. Illsley,
Cuddahy Brothers, II. c. Payne, L. Il. Bs-
con, NJ. Rosseau and Fred Pabst; 5000 each
from the Democratic candidates and the
Brewers Association. A committee was
appointed to increase the sum TO S100,000.
The exposition building, schools and
churches have been opened 10 the destitute
and tonight the 2500 homeless people are
all sheltered under hOspitable roofs. Many
were taken into private dwellings, while
others sought the shelter of the churches
and schoolnouses.
Money for the relief of the sufferers is
pouring in from all parts of the United
States and local business men are cOntrlbut-
ing literally. Every one of the unfortunate
Third WaTders will be we'll cared for.
Mayor Somers says that while the people
of Milwaukee ask no aid 10 care for t. cir des-
titute. they will be grateful for any contri-
buttons which friends are inclined to make