The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-07-28
THE FIERY DEMON.
FIVE HUNDRED HAPPY HOMES BURNED
ATBAY CITY.
A Large Portion of the City Laid Waste and
a Million and Half Dollars Gone
up in smoke-Great Suffering
and Affecting Scenes.

BAY CITY, Mich, July ga ter
rible fire yesterday ragged all night
and this morning. 1t is estimated
that at least 500 buildings are in ruins
representing loss of probably
81, 100000. The progress of the fire
from Harrison street, then to Taylor,
then to Webster, then TO Mccormick
and Marsac, and there is not build
ing left standing in the entire area.
The section was largely occu-
pied by homes of laboring
men. Many houses in the section
were built upon ground made of re-
fuse from the mills and not only were
the buildings consumed but the foun-
dations are also gone. The police ar
rested five men caught stealing house
hold goods. This caused considera-
BILE alarm and the whole force of the
city were sent to watch against such
terrible vandalism. AS far as is posi-
lively known only one death occur
red. A woman lay sick in one of the
houses which was destroyed. Before
assistance could reach her the dwell
ing was seething mass of fire and
the poor creature had to be
left TO her fate. 1t is also
reported that two children were
burned to death but the story lacks
confirmation. Losses run from $500
to SIG, 600. A. M. Miller q Co.'S lum Der
yard cantaineo 100000 feet of lum-
ber, every board being destroyed.
Loss 100000, insurance $4,000. The
conflagration swept over four blocks
of business and residence property
in the south end of the city and COM
pleted it's work of destructiod at mid
night when the flames reached
the eastern limits. At that
hour a few houses were
still burning, but the wind had gone
down, and the local fire department,
assisted by reinforcements from
West Bay City, Saginaw and
Flint, had the confiagation well under
control. After adjournment of the
common council last evening num-
ber of wealthy citizens subscribed
several hundred dollars for the desti-
tute families whose houses were de-
stroyed. A committee was appointed
to distribute provisions. The scene
on the commons where the people
were huddled, guarding a few per-
sonal effects they had saved, was one
of desolation. Such bedding as was
preserved was arranged on the sod
and allotted to women who had in
fants to care for.
To the northward, extending over
half a mile, from two to five blocks
wide, lay waste of burning embers,
where less than twelve hours before
stood hundreds of happy homes. At
break of day the scene changed to one
of activity. Men left the group and
proceeded to the ruins in vain at
tempt to recover property overlooked
by the flames, while the women and
children busted themselves asserting
furniture and securing their personal
effects from the general mass. Never
did fire do cleaner work than this one
did. Within the burned territory not
house was left standing, while every
shade tree was stripped of foliage and
left bare. Many trees were blown
over by the fierce wind that prevailed
while the conflagration was at its
heighth and which carried the fire
brands far to the east, igniting the
woods and prairie in many places. 1t
will require several days to ascertain
precisely how many houses were con-
sumed. The total loss is $1,000,000.
This afternoon the most conservative
place the number of houses burned at
$50, while others well posted say $50
houses were destroyed. The loss of
Miller & Turner's manufacturing plant
is 100000. Albert Miller, senior
member of the firm loses everything.
His fine residence situated on
Thirtieth street was reduced to ashes.
Hundreds of families whose homes
have been destroyed suffer losses by
reason of removal of the furniture.
The first fatality has just come to
light. 1t was learned this morning
that Jesse M. Miller, an old and re-
spected citizen, was missing. Search
in the debris of his house resulted
in finding his teeth and few charred
bones. Lying close by the remains
were several gold coins. Tt is sup
posed that he arrived at home to find
it in flames, and rushing inside to res
cue the gold, was overcome by the
heat and smoke. Searching parties
are going about at present among the
ruins, but it is not believed that many
more persons perished.