The herald., 1893-10-15

In the midst OF the turmoil Council.
man Strohm and ex-Fireman Vignes
appeared on the scene. The councilman
took command at once, and selling
length of hose dashed up the stairs of
the building to the upper story.
Vignes cleared way to the hook and
ladder and by dint of much iorcible
language succeeded in making the al
legged firemen understand the way to
raise the ladder. Vignes then mounted
and started the hose on the flames.
But by this time the fire had gained q
strong hold. and the smoke became
thicker than ever. The water supply
was insufficient and every three minutes
gave out altogether.
At this point Councilman Strohm's
-begrimed face appeared at one Of
the top windows, and the ex-fre chief
yelled for another length of hose. No
attention was paid to him, however,
and Chief Curran industrionsly contin-
ued to order hose to be taken up to the
third story, which WAS absolutely free
from and beyond danger OF connsgra-
tion.
Then the hose burst and Strohm, who
was lighting the flames singlchanded,
was left with dry hose in his hands,
while every moment the fire grew in in
tensity.
''For Code sake, send some water up
here, there's no fire down staire," reit-
Grated Strohm, and Police Officer Kin
ney. eeeing the danger, Skinned up the
ladder with another length OF hose.
1t was high time, for the flames were
darting their fiery tongues through the
eecond-foor windows, and the heated
glaes began to crack and scatter the
gazing crowd below.
'.ticod boy, Kinney" and GOOD for
the police iorce," were the remarks
heard on all sides.
As Kinney reached the top OF the
ladder the flames bust out with
renewed vigor, making strange
4 contrast to the brilliant Sunshine and
8 blue sky, and it was evident that had
the water been withheld for brief i've
minutes longer nothing could have
saved the entire building from absolute
annihilation.
But ss soon as a strong stream of
water reached the roof the flames recog
nized their master, and the curling
/. sheets OF fire subsidized into sullen vol
umes OF yellow smoke, which in their
turn ceased altogether. y
Councilman Strohm and Motorman
their prompt action. Vignes appeared
to be the only man who compreheuded
the machinery OF the ladder, and was
certainly the tirst to pour water on the
flames, and Councilman Strohm directed
the entire department, az the same time
working hard at the mechanical details.
The tire started in the dressing room
OF the Athletic club, which has its
rooms on the second floor
The janitor 10 in ths habit OF using a
gas heating apparatus, and 1t lie believed
by the fire department that the fire
started on Friday night and elowly
smoldered until it broke ont yesterday,
making its way to the top floor by msans
oil an air shalt, which provided the neces
sary draught.
The entire damage is estimated at
about $50, ,000. The block itself sustained
about $1,000 damage, az near as can be
learned, not counting the damage done
to private office property.
The Athletic club estimates its loss at
nearly $4,000, which is covered by insur-
ance.
4 The Woodbury. business college is a
total loss. The amount could not be
ascertained last night, the proprietor
being absent from the city. 1t ia, how
ever, fully insured
Tho Cass q Smurr Stove company,
who occupy the ground floor, were the
heaviest sufferers, Mr.. Smurr estimating
che damage done by water at about
$4,000. The entire stock was foot un-
der water, and the stream poured in
through the ceiling until iato hour
laet night.
Bob Kern's saloon looked as il acy-
cione had struck the interior. Water
poured in through the ceiling, doing
about $4,000 worth of damage.
Had the ladders been raieed in any