Evening journal., 1892-10-29
THE milwaukee FIRE.
The Sun Rises on a Scene of
Widespread Desolation.
sUCoOR FOR THE sHELTERLEss

Seven Millions the Latest Estimate Of the
Financial Loss In Last Nights Great
Fire-Twenty BLOCKS of Business Houses
and Residences Totally Destroyed.
Scenes at the Ruins.
lBy Telegraph 20 the Evening Journall
MILwAuKEs. Oct 20 Morning broke ON
a scene of desolation such as the Cream
City has never before witnessed during
its corporate existence. Twenty blocks
yesterday suffered and magnificent build
ings devoted to manufacture, trade and
commerce were mass Of smouldering
ruins; and where 500 residences, the
homes Of 5000 people. stood, there was
nothing save piles of blackened bricks
aud smoking rafters.
The loss in money will probably not
exceed $4,000, 900 on which there is about
| 50, 10000 insurance, but the collateral
damages, the immense shock to business
and the Inconvenience and positive suf-
fering entailed upon residents and basi-
ness men, cannot be computed.
Every effort viii be made, however. 10 |
relieve distress and even while the con
hagration was at the height, President |
Bacon, of the Chamber of Commerce, is |
sued a call for a meeting of citizens at .
o'clock this morning, TO take measures
for the relief of the people left homeless
and destitute by fire. The call was not
addressed to the members of the Cham
Der of Commerce only but 20 all citizens
who are ready 60 join this work of
eminent necessity.
Hundreds sheiterless.
Hundreds Of families are left shelter
less and with nothing but the clothing
worn when they fled from the swift pur
suit Of the devastating flames. Immediate
measures FOR their relief must be
adopted. and the meeting this morning
will show an attendance and spirit
worthy Of the city. Prompt and generous
action is demanded to prevent great
numbers of worthy people from suffering
for lack of food aud shelter.
The Germania society held meeting
last night and decided to turn over all
? the money received at its fair next week
to the citizens committee TO be used for
the benefit of sufferers.
Mayor Somers said this morning; 'At
B least one-half OF the third ward is burn
ed away. and | think that fully 5000
people are homeless. We are especially
thankful to the cities of Chicago,
u Kenosha. Racine and Oshkosh for their
e prompt aid in sending fire apparatus
The citizens will organize a relief com
? mittee at once"
story of the Fire.
). There were several alarms yesterday
afternoon for fres, all Of them the result
Of the heavy gale of wind that sprang ur
shortly before noon and increased until
at o'clock ID reached velocity of about
IL fifty miles an hour
Between . and o'clock there wer,
Ave alarms, and the fire department, in
T. cluding fire tugs, was scattered II
=. various parts of the city. Shortly before
8 o'clock an alarm was sent in from the
box at the corner of Detroit and Eas
Water streets. It was for fire in the
g Union Oil company's store at No 2''
ne East Water street, situated on the ives
"a side Of the street, about midway betweeI
= Detroit and Buffalo streets, the rear O
'' the store being on the river
How the Flames started.
The fire originated from an explosion
'' Of something in the cellar. Fed by thu
inhammable stock il soon spread through
the upper floors 1t was ten minute
y before the FIRST fire engine coming from
sn smaller FIRE some distance away ha
be reached the scene and by that time tn
at entire building was in flames
From this point the flames spread unit
the lower part Of the Third ward wa
90 burned, causing a loss Of nearly $1,000
H. GOO The insurance is estimated a
81 500 600 AT least 5000 people ar
d. homeless
N At 2 40 this morning 1t was announce
I that the fire was under control havin
ne burned over about twenty squares d'
stroying about fifty stores and factorie
Vi and about 500 residences.
I'D Few Fatalities.
" Not withstanding the marvelor
ne rapidity with which the fire spread and u
numerous falls Of brick walls the injuri'
.er and loss of life were surprisingly small
'ry and it is believed that no more than fou
of or FIVE persons lost their lives, althoug
the removal Of the debris may discloi
other victims.
Those known to be killed are Hem
ng Prudenbuck and Charles Stair, fremel
Mrs Callahan, widow, and an unknoN
St ] woman, VINO was euuoctNtN ny ohi'h
at There are many persons at the Emergen'
hospital. Two of these are serious
injured and may die.
ou There was SO much confusion and e.
, l citement that no one seemed to go to ti
,ir. morgue or hospitals to seek for injur'
,ad friends Many school houses were CALI
into use as temporary hospitals al
many injured people are at st. Mary
ins hospital. It is in the suburbs, and Il
telephone connection has been destroye
There are none at st. Joseph's hospit'
H.. Scenes at a Hospital.
At the Emergency hospital on Jackso
ETY. and Oneida streets there is the create
suffering. Wives and daughters al
to there nursing husbands and fathers al
lhe brothers. aud the little house is lille
with the groans Of the suffering.
l Out on the walk a score of people a
standing shivering in the cold and wal
do ing for a first glimpse at every new a
b. rival. Every cab that drives up Is Il
Nh hn H. Il q I...s ..a..l ii