The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1892-11-05
SCOURGED WITH FLAMES.
MILWAUKEE, IN A FURNACE OF
FIRE.
The Cream City Is Overwhelmed by
the Presence of the Devas-
tating Element - Many
Millions Co Up in
Smoke.
Loss Of Life.

S5,675.OOO. Others think the loss VIII
amount to $1O,OOO,OOO.
The flames. which started in the Mil
waukec Gas %company's building, famed
by a furious gale, swept eastward across
toward the Menominee river and moth
in could restrain them. Dynamite was
used but without effect. Mihgty pillows
of flames swept over docks of buildings,
lcapcd over the river and jumped across
streets.
All sorts of ~convcyances were hurry
ing about the Third ward, loaded with
the belongings of the people on whose
homes the flames were rushing. The en-
tire fire apartment was powerless.
Chicago, Racine and other cities were
asked for assistance, and by 10 o'clock
engines and firemen from out of town
were beginning to arrive.
More than eleven blocks Of solid terri
tory, including much of the most extcns-
i've wholesale district. has been burned
over. Nearly seventy buildings, two
thirds of which were frame dwellings,
faded into smoke as fast as tissue paper.
The loss is almost inestimable at this
time. but will reach into the millions.
The district burned ut 10 O'Clock includ-
cd the territory extending diagonally
from the alley between Detroit and Buff
falo streets to the corner of Erie and
Jefferson streets. At that time the Nc
nominee river, with the big Manegold
elevators and the great Kissip factories
just across the border, was less than a
block away from the roaring flames.
The fire started in the store occupied
by the Union Oil company, at 275 East
Water street. At the time three fires in
various sections of the city had called
minutes before a response was made to
the alarm from the corner of Detroit and
East Water streets. In a short time
seven or eight streams had been directed
upon the flames. There was a series of
explosions, but in half an hour streams
from several tugs were playing On the
building. 1t seemed as if the very cur
rent of the Milwaukee river was being
emptied upon the red brick block. It
was stated that the fire was helped by
the terrific explosion in the oil barrels.
Thousands Of people, attracted by the con-
tinued alarms. had rushed to the vicinity
and watched the fight with interest between
the great force of ircmen and the putting
steamers, reached the conclusion that ii
was not much of a fire after 'all, and went
home. Then 1t was about GAO o'clock. Only
black smoke issued from tho buildings.
Fifteen minutes later the tired frenen be-
gan to feel the enemy getting out of their
grasp. Renewing their efforts they fought
with every weapon known to the art. The
flames were too much for them. The fire
gained a footing in the adjoining store of
Dohlnen & Co. 1t was then that it got be-
yond control. At Z o'clock the big factory
of the Bubb & Kipp company, facing on
broadway, almost q full block away, began
to blaze. The fire had started with the wind
In the n%orteast, but 1t had now veered to
almost due east, and merchants in the busi-
ness section Of the East side grew scared.
The ame jumped across the streets on the
east side Of East Water street and had TAX.
ing q firmer grip in the big Bubb l. Kipp
factory.
Five minutes more and jacob. Wellauer &
CO.'S wholesale grocery store on the east
side OF broadway, directly opposite Bubb &
kipps', was in flames. 1t seemed rs IL n
mountain Of fire welled across Broadway.
One instant and the east side of Broadway
was In flames and the next the rolling
waves OF fire swept across the street, de-
seconded on the buildings opposite, and with
in a moment they were wrapped in flames.
A thousand ST. cams of water could not stay
such n conflagl alton In its march of destruc-
ton oward the lake. The walls of the
threc-story brick building of Broadway, for
merly occupied by the cracker trust, but
voices urged the lowd back just In time.
The whole front Of the building pitched into
the street.
Meanwhile the stampede over the ground
they had formerly In the store of J. p.
Kissinger and the Milwaukee art glass
works opposite the block in which 1t had its
origin. The Wellaure block. six stories
the Milwaukee Chair company, a vacant
building n the wholesale grocery store of
Roundy, Peckham & Co., and all on Broad
way. The next building to succumb was
that of the National Distilling company. The
was still carrying the whirlwind of
seethiug flame on toward Lake Michigan in
q direct line with its starting point, and the
scramble began. Chief Of Police Jansen
ordered his entire force to the fire, and they
assisted in getting out the furniture and
VI a were f9 Sn;{a, to Zee set from tie Bet, path .s sf
S Snies Ssen s outlines w 81 pa ls4ea All II these he = o unsI
ings were consumed within half an hour Of
way and started in the Wellaur block. Sud
denly the wind swept around as unexpected
~ as before. Where it was northeast with
tue ursL aldrLu, IL WIS HoW aamVSI Ivy
structlon toward the Milwaukee river.
In its path lay. the bis freight sheds and
yards of the Chicago & northwestern rail-
road, together with the round house and lts
valuable contents of rolling stock. The end
of the freight sheds at the corner OF JET
fcrson md Chicago streets was the first to
ignite, and the flames soon spread all over
the yards. burning freight cars and every
thing before 1t. The Ompany soon had a
force at work saving its property. locomo.
Of harms way On jackson street the fire
was raging. Along Broadway 1t swept to
the Waisel & Bitter Manufacturing compa.
ny's plant ut Chicago street and to No. 10
Engine Eaasss, He HOUSE ss.,s on J. Br p,,dav y;on When hen -, It
partment had prepared an attempt to cut
1t off with dynamite. Three kegs were ex-
.ploded In the building. having been stored
there to awalt the coming OF the flames. As
each went of in close succession the cry
went up from the thousands who blocked
the streets for a radius Of q mile that the
gas works had exploded.
It was about $50 O'Clock when the first
building on hte northeast corner Of the no.
by Milwaukee, .Menominee and Erie streets
and the alley between Jefferson, n Jack
parts s'e 81 tie t city. s and g i was Sut feared Pt 81
great oil tanks were still intact. The bethel
home near the gas works caught nre soon
fasssi Mifte eo & Aiii%pf sund nysasy q sffas Sc,. q
was in The path Of the flaming cyclone.
Some horses were safely taken away. Wills
q humber were stampeded. The Laura Cat