Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-03-16


giving day, 1889, and in the same district,
broke out shortly after O'Clock this after
noon, and before it was placed under con
troll three hours later, had burned over
moro than a square, had reduced to ashes
several of the magnificent new buildings
recently completed on the territory burned
over three and a half years ago, had con
sumed property valued by conservative
estimate at 81 500, coo, had been attended
by scenes, panic and distress never before
equalled in the memory of citizens now nv
ing aud had destroyed several, perhaps
many human lives, and mangled and main
ed at least so persons, some OF whom VIII
die from their in iurie5.
from box 81 1t was soon followed by
second and then general alarm.
Tho flames broke out In the toy depart
ment of Horace Partridge q Co., who oc-
cupied the 7tth and 9th floors of the seven
story building, corner Of Essex and Clinton
streets, owned by +. l.. Ames.
The cause is at present unknown, but the
start is described by those nearest it as re
sembling the bursting of fire cracker. The
flames spread with incredible rapidity and
in a very few moments the entire interior
of the building was burning. There were
many employees of the Partridge company
at work at the time and the other floors OF
the building sprinkled with human
beings The usual avenues of escape were
at once cut eff and then began Il scramble
for life which sickened behoiders,
The Panic stricken Inmates
fled to windows and roof. Some escaped
by shining down telegraph poles, others
by lenping into blankets and nets. Several
jumped to the pavement, six or eight
stories, and were terribly manglea, and
others, how many cannot be told, fell back
into the caudron Of flames or were over
come by the dense black smoke which sut-
located all who did not speedily escape.
The entire fire department of the city
was speedily on the scene; the departments
OF Somerville, Cambridge Newton, Quincy
and Brocton arrived later by train and aid
was ordered TO be in readiness from more
distant cities.
Fortunately further help was not needed.
Vast crowds Of people began ri once to
flock to the scene, and as matter Of pre-
caution Gov. Russell speedily ordered two
companies of militia under arms and pro
ceeded to the fire in person, where lie was
soon joined by Mayor Matthews. The com
mitteo of the city council appointed to IN
vestigate the causes OF recent large fires
was in session at city nall, but Immediately
The Fire Spread Rapidly
from building to building and despite the
heroic efforts OF the entire fire eystems of
Suffolk county was not controlled until thu
whole square bounded by Essex street on
the north, Lincoln on the east, Tufts on
the South and Kingston on the west had
been levelled; also one building north of
Essex street, extending along Columbia;
Al 10 z Ii,,tf of
and one on the corner of the United States
hotel, south of Tufts street, which contain
ed the Emergency hospital.
The buildings burned were as follows:
Ames building, seven stories, corner Essex
and Lincoln streets, where the fire started
Lincoln building, five stories, on opposite
corner, on site Of old Crystal Palace, oc-
cupied by Singer Manufacturing company,
and large numbsr of other concerns;
Ludlow building, six stories, $50 Essex
street; Brown Durell building, seven stories,
corner of Essex and Kingston streets, burn
ed from roof to fourth floor, the tire proof
walls OF this building Steamed the tide OF
flames to the north; five story brick build
ing corner OF Columbia and Essex streets,
occupied by Walter S. Barnes, paper box
manufacturer and others; United States
Hotel slightly damaged three small build
ings between the Ames building aud the
United States Hotel, occupied as dwellings
in the upper story, and by small traders be-
low.
The conhagraton as viewed from dis
lance was grand. A donse pail of black
smoke covered that section of the city, and
as darkness came on this was lighted up by
flames, while occasional tongues of fire aud
burning embers shot UP volcano.like into
the ebony mass.
Near-to the scene was awful. While the
Ames building was burning there were re-
peated explosions like fire works, ming ed
with the hoarse shouts of firemen, the clang-
ing and putting of the engines, the crash OF
falling walls. the rumble from hurrying
teams and the surging of the vast crowds
which soon gathered and rushed to and fro
in everybody's way.
The police service was admirable, this
streets were promptly roped OIL aud in the
right sections. The wires usual il
the way and in many places lay in tangled
masses, but the current had been turneI
off
The Ames building was occupied by thu
following firms: First floor, north section
Woonsocket Rubber company, basemen
and first floor; Berhosr Sl3ros., thread stool
basement and first; Amazenns Machinn
company, basement and first; Consolidated
Last company, frst. Second moor, Mer
rick Thread company. Third floor, A
Packard a Co.; K. NJ. Appleton, Hanove
Shoe company, w. c. Rogers, Lariai
Manufacturing company, Claflin, Laribe
d Co., third and fourth: United State
Rubber company, third and fourth. Fourt
floor, Redpath Bros, boots and shoes; S. h
Thing 81 Co; j. A. Jacquith Rubber com
pany.
Fifth floor, Tapey Machine company
sixth floor, Horace Partridge ~ Co., fame
goods; south section, basement, Hathaway
Soule & Harrington, boots and shoes; first
south section, j. S. Fogg, boots and shoes
NJ. A. Packard; second, various offices
Metropolitan Sewerage company and test
ing DEPARTMENT. Ewing Bros; sanfor
Bros, blankets; j. f. Ryan, hair dresss
supplies; third Spur, veneers; Cape Co
Glass company
Fourth-Shsur Bros, fancy leather an
plush goods; American Pin company, stoc
of pins in boxes; Emigh & Loholl, collar
and cuffs; Otto Kreisman, boots and shoes
d. w. Rowland, liver pills in glass jars
Fifth-H. Partridge, wholesale fancy good
second and fifth floors. Buildings GAG