The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-04-08
NEW ORLEANS SNIlTTEN.

out at 1880 o'clock this morning among
some cotton on the sidewalk, in front OF
the fire proof press on North Front street
between Race and Orange. Parties who
saw the smoke issuing from among the
bales gave the alarm Immediately: and
few minutes after the bells rang out "32.
The department responded promptly, but
the wind was so high and the cotton SO
dry that it burned like tissue paper. The
flames ran high, and in an almost incred-
IDLY short space of time had communica-
ted to the press itself and were working
their way along the woodwork of the roof.
The firemen worked like demons to check
the progress of the flames, but their efforts
were unavailing.
TIE UPPER PRESS.
The destruction here was as great as the
other press. In a few moments the flames
had attacked the building from all sides,
working their way through the woodwork
with wonderful rapdity. In this press
were stored $4,000 bales of cotton, some
of which were taken out and brought to
place of safety. The major portion OF
staple, however, was soon in flames and
it was impossible to save it. The fierce
element of destruction ate its way along
the rafters of the press and down through
the woodwork into the cotton which was
stored beneath the sheds. 1t was only
cotton stored in the yard that was saved.
1t required but very short time with the
wind that was blowing to destroy this
press. The sight was an awe-inspirlng
one. For space of at least two blocks
sheets of flame shot upward, smoke and
sparks from the fire were blown down in
to the streets by the winds and choked
and singed the spectators.
INDEPENDENCE PRESS.
Suddenly 4 small fame was seen to leap
skyward from the corner of the 1ndcpend-
ence Press In second almost the Ell :
tire square was ablaze, and the flames
formed almost solid block of fire. In
the yard were stored some 10000 bales of
the feecy staple. In u little time it was
consumed. At length four rows of char
red walls were NIL that stood to remind one
that large buildings had once occupied the
site. The last to catch was
THE ORLEANS.
The place was Quilted and its contents,
consisting of about 10000 bales, were con-
sumed. There was no chance to save any
portion of the cotton as the work of de-
struction was very rapid For some time
men worked on these flames and when it
became apparent that none of the cotton
could he saved they devoted their atten-
ton to the surrounding structures. Wa
ter was poured into the windows and
through the doorways and everything was
thoroughly wet This probably prevent
ed number of CONGREGATIONS as the
sparks were falling in all directions.
The walls Of the different burned press
es fell within short time of each other.
In each case there was sudden trembling
which caused those near the walls to fall
back precipitately, a heavy surging and
then deafening crash that could be heard
squares away and the streets wonld be
strewn with bricks and other material
The
DISTRICT BURNED OVER
is bounded by Peters, Front, ITALIA and
Robin streets, and presses destroyed are
as follows:
Fire proof, Penrose Bros. managers,
South Front street, southwest corner Rob
in street
Shippers, Boyd e. Herrick proprietors
South Peters street, between Henderson
and Robin.
Independence Cotton Yard, South Pc
tiers street.
Orleans Cotton Press, Adam Torch
manager, South Peters street, between
Thalia and Terpsicore.
The total amount of cotton burned, as
near as can now be ascertaincd, is esti-
mated at $4,000 bales, held by factories
and commission merchants, and covered
by their open policies. Much of this cot
ton will be sent to the pickeries and saved,
so that the total loss will probably not
exceed $50 per bale, making total loss
on the cotton Of between $2,00U,0 600 and
2,25O,OOO. The loss on the presses and
sheds is estimated at $l50,000.
1t is thought the fire started from CT
gazette which some person threw among
the cotton. For blocks around the burn
ing presses the residents moved out their
furniture for fear that the fire would
spread to their homes. In their flight
they would often throw down their parcels
in the street, where a number of fire
thieves, who are generally in attendance
on these occasions, got in their work.
While fireman were working on the fire.
proof press at the corner OF Terpsicore
aud Peters streets, the walls suddenly
shook, and in an instant came tumbling
down, and to the horror of the already
excited crowd, three men were seen falling
under the mass. Willing hands were soon
working on the wells, and shortly the UNI
fortunate fireman were taken from the
ruins. The men all belonged to No. 10.
Their names are: Capt. Alfred Dupree,
Lieut.. Shaw and Pipeman Bordeaux. Du-
pree was slightly injured, but the other
two men were badly hurt.