Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-27
THE BUSINESS WORLD.
One Million Dollars Still the Estimate
of Loss at Bay City.
MOSTLY In SMALL INSURED SUMS.
Five Hundred Houses Gone, but the Bust.
ness Section Escapes.
FIRES, FAILURES AND RAILWAY NEWS

BAY CITY, MICH, July 26.-The great
coniagration which swept over 40 blocks of
business and residence property in the
south end of the city yesterday afternoon
completed the work of destruction at mid
night, when the flames had reached the
eastern limits of the city. At that hour a
few houses were still burning, but the wind
had gone down and the local fire depart
ment assisted by reinforcements from West
Bay City. Saginaw and Flint, had the con-
fagration well under control.
After tie adjournment of the Common
Council last evening, number of wealthy
citizens subscribed several hundred dollars
for the temporary relief of families whose
homes had been destroyed. A committee
was appointed to purchase and distribute
provisions They Immediately set to work.
and after purchasing the stock of several
restaurants, proceeded to the camp of the
homeless with two drav loads of provisions.
Eatables were apportioned among the sui
ferers, and at midnight, in the glare of
flames which lit the armament, the people
partook of the first food since they ate their
MONDAY meal.
The scene on the commons, where the
people were huddled, guarding the few per-
sonal effects they had saved, was one of
desolation. Such bedding as had been pre-
served was arranged on the sod and allotted
to women who had infants to care for. To
the north ward, extending over half a mile,
from two to five blocks wide, lay waste of
burning emDers where less than II hours be-
fore had stood hundreds of happy homes.
At the break of day the scene changed to
one OF activity. The men lett the group and
proceeded to the ruins in vain attempt to
recover property overlooked by the flames,
while women and children busted
themselves asserting furniture and securing
theirperSonaI effects from the general mass.
Within the burned territory not house is
left standing while every shade tree is
stripped of foliage and left bare. Many
trees were blown over by the fierce wind
that prevailed while the fire was at its
hei"ht and which carried the fire brands far
TO the east, igniting the forest and the
prairies in many places. 1t will REQUIRE
several days to ascertain precisely how
many buildings were consumed. The total
loss is somewhere around $1,000 600. This
afternoon the most conservative estimate
places the number at $50 while many per-
sons acquainted with the district declare
that fully 500 houses were destroyed.
The loss at Miller & Turner's manufactur-
ing plant will reach $210,00U. These figures
include 10000, 600 ieet of lumber owned by
Joseph Turner and Spencer Q. Fisher The
sents a loss of about Sl5O,09O Albert Miller,
senior member of the firm, loses everything.
Some othez. Large Losses
Slower & Larkins hardware merchants,
sufseI to the extent of $15, 600, with $500 in
surrsos.. Trisk & Forcia lose a general
stost Valued at $4,000. A. B. Gould had a
small hotel and five dwellings burned, all
valued at $1,000. The Methodist Church was
valued at s5Ooc: insured for 81, 500. A. NJ.
lnt. 10 l.r,,1 ,1.or dxaol ,a1ao haSr 1acc
ut $50 0O0. with an insurance OF S40,0 900. Miller
& Turner lose on mill, salt blocks, docks,
ETC., S6O,00o. They claim to be fully pro-
tected- There were at least 375 houses de-
stroyed belonging to other parties, each of
which, with their furnishing, represented
from $1,000 to S. 600. The majority or the for
mer belonged to Polish families, and as far
as can be learned the most of them were in
sured. Hundreds of families whose homes
were not destroyed suffer losses bv reason
of removing their furniture in authorization
OF being burned out.
As always happens on such occasions
thieves and burglars were about, ready to
ply their nefarious calling when opportunity
offered. Five pillagers were arrested by
the police and now lie in the city lookup.
So far as is positively known no lives were
lost. Several persons were seriously burned
but none fatally.
Prompt iIeasurcs Taken for Relief.
A mass meeting of citizens has been called
for this evening, when means will be de-
houseless. Mayor Linton, of Saginaw, has
offered aid in behalf of his municipality.
While the fire is serious blow to the city
and will occasion much suffering, the idea
that the city lies in ashes is a mistaken one
The principal business portion lies over two
miles from the burned district, and remains
intact. 1t is the poorer classes who suffer
most, and much money, food and clothing
Will be required to provide for their immedi-
ale and future wants.
The first fatality resulting from yesterdays
fire has just come to light 1t was learned
this morning that Jesse NJ. Miller, an old and
respected citizen, was missing. A search
among the debris of his dwelling resulted in
the finding of his teeth and a few charred
bones. Lying close by the remains were
several gold coins. 1t is supposed he ar
rived at his home to find 1t in flames, and
rushing inside to rescue his gold, he was
overcome by heat and smoke.
searching parties are now going about
among the ruins, but it is not believed that
any more persons have perished.