St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-29

poured onto the apparent seat Of the
fire and other tornadoes of water were
directed into the second-story windows.
In short order the flames were driven
upward, and great sheets of fire shot
forth rom score of windows at once,
wrapping themselves about the castings
and reaching out far enough in some
instances to distinctly light up the
faces of the crowds on the opposite side
of the street.
1t was early apparent to Chief Jackson
and his men that a stubborn fight was
ahead of them. Consequently dozen
lines os hose were quickly trained onto
the confiagration from every point of
vantage. Extension ladders were
raised before half dozen windows and
the fremen took position with their
water-loaded weapons, turning loose
tons of water. While the burning
woodwork lighted up everything about,
men with spouting nozZles could be
seen on ladders, astride from window
lodges. on fire escapes and inside, where
the dancing light made their
drenched clothes glisten like metal.
While breaking glass and loosened fire.
brands were falling in all directions,
the iremen worked like beavers. In
the flashing brightneSS-a man on the
street could see the ceilings of the
higher stories clearly defned-the men
in the full glow of the fire had the ap-
of hninn in, or
furnace. Many a stream, in being
shifted by the pipemen, gave generous
ducking to rubber-clad workers on
ladder and ledge. Not man who saw
last nights work but will realize that
the fire lads should have been the last
of the city employees to have their wages
cut.
3 1t seemed at one time as if the lurld
hurricane was not to be stopped short of
bringing even the towering walls to the
ground. Higher and wider and heavier
bulged the flames. till the spectators
could clearly discern the outlines,
almost the features. of a man and a
woman away up in the New York Life
building, frantically endeavoring to
close the iron shutters, which they did,
though leaning out of windows above
and below them were groups of interest
ed spectators. Zimmerman'S store, right
back of the burning building, was drip
ping water, and the heat made it seem
to smoke. But after one great burst of
golden pylotechnics the methodical at
tack of the firemen began to count, and
with each passing moment the fire grew
less active. There were so many places.
however, where the flames had taken
hold that a detailed attack became
necessary from front tc rear. Wrapped
about post or window casing or rafter
could be seen mantles of flame. Well
directed shots from hose nozzles would
quench these one after another
but shooting out from the cor
nice of the building and up out
of burnt spots in the floors
came other spires of fire. Swinging in
every direction, the streams of water
crossed and recrossed each other on the
brilliantly lighted floors, until gradually
the deluge drowned out blaze and spark.
and the darkness of the dismantled
structure was only lighted occasionally
by the iiremen'S lanterns. Shortly after
IL o'clock the building was thoroughly
Quilted ruin, flame-raZed and water
soaked. A brightly burning jet in the
Office on Fifth street maintained its
steady consumption of gas through all