The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-01-09
.THE WHITE CITY FIRE
Great Damage by a Blaze in
the Fair Buildings.
FOREIGN EXHIBITS CONSUMED
A Great Multitude Witness Scene
of Terrible SplendOr--The
Fire Set by Tramps.
FOREIGN EXHIBITS CONSUMED
Associated Press,

Associated Press,
Chicago, Jan. S.-The Worlds Fair
Pompeii became tonight a rushing vol
cano of flame, the huge Gothic architec-
ture tumbling into chaos. Bewildered
mobs of people were there under the
great starry sky of Italian clearness,
with Lake Michigan's broad expanse a
second Mediterranean. Probably no
more magnificent, yet terrifying specta-
Gle, has ever been witnessed this side
OF the Atlantic 1t was long after dark
tonight when belated people returning
from work to their homes in the South
ern suburbs along the elevated road,
familiar to hundreds of thousands OF
Worlds Fair visitors. noticed u con-
stantly charging column of fire and
smoke ascending skyward in the east.
THE Worlds Fair is on fire." was the
cry, and few indeed of the fascinated
watchers from the train windows alight-
ed until the famous terminal at the ex-
position grounds was reached. Directly
Fast the scene of the frigh!ful cold
storage warehouse hundreds of spec
tators hurried from the train into the
celebrated court of honor. Then sudden,
ly the conflagration came in full view,
whirlwinds of blazing embers being car
ried from the end of the court of honor
farthest from the administration build
ing, high over the roof Of the liberal
arts building, the largest structure on
earth. The great golden statue of the
republic could be seen lifting her lib
erty cap dsfantly aloft through the
clouds of smoke and flames The fire
had been burning less than an lour
when thunderous crash of falling
timber and tremendous shout from
the crowd announced the collaDse of
the peristyle A moment later a Terri
flc yell from the crowd told ;hat the
liberal arts building was On fire, nd the
whole exposition was threatened.
A dramatic incident marked the des-
truction Of the peristyle One of the
ladders bearing up group Of frennen,
fell with. the columns, and one heroic
fireman went down 10 death, wi lie q
number of others suffered injuries more
or less severe.
The sky was livid at this time with
falling sparks which fell upon the roofs
of the art palace and the woman's build
ing, and various state structures. Ev-
cry train and street car added thous-
ands to the throngs, and but for the ter,
rifying spectacle, it seemed as If the
greatest gala night of the fair in all
its glory,
The fire started in the Casino, just
east of the agriculture building. and
south of the Peristyle. The casino was
quickly devoured and the flames surced
north on top Of the peristyle, and drop
ping made a second line of fire
along the base Of the columns. Tho
flames then sprang through music hall
to the casino While the fire was burn
ing there was one of the most singular
and fascinating sights of the night wit
messed. Along the top of the peristyle.
were scores of heroic statues. The spec
tacle for those people on the moving
sidewalk east of the peristyle was that .
of a succession Of gigantic human lie
ngs plunging one after another head.
ong into the waters Of the lake be.
ow.
The origin of the fire is said to have
,een revenge on the part of couple of
ramps. The solitary guard in the music s
,all said that just before the flames G
,roke out he kicked two vagabonds I
mt Of the building. They left in the !
Erection of the casino. and soon after !,
hat the fire broke out, and terror and 8
.onfusion reigned. u
Fears Of looting added to the horror Of |
he scene. At 70 o'clock, with a possi-
10 loss Of about s1O.OOOOOO by the fire [
the manufactures building alone. The
authorities began to realize that large Il
,sment of the crowd was composed Of e
,lers who. once started in lawiessness. .