The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-08-18
AWFUL FLAMES.
A Smoking Sunday Afternoon IN
Minneapolis.
GREAT LUMBER YARDS BURNED.
Many People Rendered Homeless-At
Least Two Kliied-The Loss Put
at Two Million
Dollars.

MINNEAPoLIs, Mimi, Aug. 14-About
s2, 000, 900 worth of property went up in
flames yesterday afternoon. Over 20C
houses were burned and at least 1.50C
persons were rendered homeless This
was the record made by the destroying
element in the short space of two hours.
The fire had gained such a Roadway
that no human agency could quench it.
and only a change in the direction OF
the wind prevented an awful confiagra-
ton.
1t was little after 1:30 o'clock when
a watchman saw small blaze on the
river side of J. Il. Clark & Co.'S box
factory on the south end of Nicollett
island at the head of st. Anthony falls.
An alarm. quickly followed by second
and third, was turned in, but by the
time the department had arrived the
flames, famed by furious south wind,
had gained such headway that all the
firemen could do was to turn their at
tention TO adjoining property.
Where the fire first started is a mys-
terry, but it is thought it originated
either in Lenhart's wagon works or in
an ice house belonging to the Cedar
Lake Ice Co., Immediately adjoining.
Nearly all the structures in this vicin-
ity were of wood, dry as tinder. and
made splendid fuel for the flames.
While this fire was at its height
spark carried high in the air alighted on
Boom island. nearly half mile above
the fire on Nicollett island. This island
is occupied as a wood yard by the lum-
Der firm of Nelson. Tenney e Co. No
one noticed the spark fall, but the
whole island was soon ablaze. 1t was
this spark that caused the greatest loss.
Quickly jumping across the small
stretch Of water separating the island
from the main land the flames gained
footing in Nelson, Tenney & Co. 5 lum-
ber yard. The fire fairly walked
through this yard and into that of E.
Bachus & Co. adjoining.
At the corner of Marshall street and
Thirteenth avenue. northeast, stood
the mammoth brewing company. Had
not this great structure stopped the
furious flames which ragged around it
nothing would have prevented the fire
from extending rs far north as it could
have found anything to burn. Situated
as it was. directly in the path of the
flames. with wooden buildings on each
side of it and a blazing lumber yard 10
the rear. it seemed as if this magnifi-
cent edifice. costing $500, 900. would be
added 20 the long list of property do
stroved.
About o'clock the fire jumped the
river and for some time the West side
saw mill district was endangered, but
the flames We're eXtinguished before
much damage was done.
At 10 o'clock the East side ruins
were all ablaze. but the fire was under
control Hundreds of people were
either the recipients of charity or were
sleeping in the open air. Many saved
only the clothes they had on their
backs
1t was gallant fight that was made
at the brewery. Away down at the
northwest corner of the building. with
in 800 of blazing lumber pile,
crouched a pipeman from Hose COM
pany Is. The heat was almost intoler-
able, bat this brave fellow remained
faithful and directed Il powerful stream
of water into the fiery furnace, and in
Il great measure prevented the rear of
the brewery from taking fire. This is
only one of the instances of individual
heroism.
The flames kept on their way and
were not subdued much until they had
4 A
point liremen and citizens combined
managed TO stop the flames to certain
extent. From Thirteenth avenue to
Sixteenth and from the river to Mar
shall street was a seething mass OF
flames. In all about fifty families oc-
cupied this portion of the territory.
The scene at this point was a pitiful
one. Family after family remained in
their homes until they were obliged to
leave by the intense heat. No one
seemed to have insurance on their
property. and as they were all poor
they strained every effort to get what
they could to place of safety.
1t was reported that several men,
while attempting to save some of their
furniture. We're burned severely about
the faces and hands. but the names
were not learned. They were taken TO
the homes of other families, where they
received attention.
L. W. BaclIus K Co. place their loss
at over 81, ,000. 600. They state that they
had 60. 900. 900 feet of lumber, worth
$3.50, 600 alone, and that this is a total
loss. Their mills are also gone and
these they claim were worth $3.50 600
1t is impossible olearn their insurance,
but it is thought they are protected.
The following iremen were injured:
Capt. Crake, of fire headquarters. was
taken to his home with his left leg in
iured. lie was working near Ninth
avenue, northeast, and slipped and fell
to the ground.
Capt Pollock, of No. 6, was overcome
with the heat while fighting the fire
and was removed to his home in the
patrol wagon.
Another fireman of Cataract company
had his hands burned badly. He was
taken to his home.
Later it was reported that Mrs.
Thomas Salone, an old lady who was
bedridden. was burned in her home.
The charred remains of boy were also
found in the debris
Death of DIR. Peters.
PEEKsKILI., y. ", Aug. 14.-Thomas