The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-09

structure until formally released from
bond.
There was no time to get any definite
orders from the government at Wash
ingt0n to cover the exigencies of the
case out without giving amy specific IN
structIOns, the government officials tacitly
wanted it to be understood that they
would not prohibit the removal OF the
goods from the building TO q place of
safety. In consequence there was a wild
rush for teams. and draymen made small
fortunes in a single night
Goods were taken from the building
and while for the most part they were
piled on the ground outside. still under
the eyes Of the treasury officials there IS
no doubt that many cases we're removed
from the grounds and Uncle Sam may
experience great difficulty ia collecting
duty.
Fears We're entertained for time that
the great crowd in attendance might
make q raid on the property ia the build
ing and that the police force on hand
would be in inadequate to afford protec-
ton There seemed, however, to be no
ground for these approximations, for the
crowd was orderly and there was not "a
riotous outbreak throughout the night
The attitude Of the spectators showed
ma ny peculiar traits Of the public char
acter. The vast crowd seemed stunned
at the impending calamity and lost sight
ln the intensity of fheir Interest in the
details of the spread of the fire. of the
enormity of the impending commercial
loss. AS eacn new start was taken by
the flames, the crowd would seem 10 hold
its breath and watch until the shoulder
ing embers broke into a decided blaze,
when cry in chorus, There it goes
would seem to arise spontaneously.
The gambling spirit seemed TO pre-
dominate and bets were freely made on
the success of the hremen ia fighting
each incipient blaze
Fred S. amos. who was chairman Of
the Insurance committee of the Worlds
fair, stated definitely today that all Of
the policies on the buildings expired at
the close of the fair and that large ma
jority of the risks on exhibits expired at
the same time. Dir. James says there
were very few of the foreign exhibits in
sured in American companies, the ma
i0rity of the exhibitors insurlng their
goods before leaving their native coun-
try Va hat responsibility, JIG any. the
United States government has in Che
matter of losses, is an Interesting ques-
tion.
One Of the most remarkable coinci-
dences of the catastrophe was that while
the FIRE was at its hercest, the great
charity ball, the social event of the year.
was in full progress directly to the north
ON the lake shore, but in the heart of the
city at the Auditorium.
Hundreds Of society people who had
looked forward to the event for weeks,
had gathered in the great theater to head
a noble measure for the destitute and
needy and while dainty feet tripped
through graceful mazes and Jewels flash
ed on rounded arms and soft bOsoms, the
great fire was being fought.
The intelligence Of the destruction of
the beauties of the White City had not
reached the greater part Of the guests
when they congregated, and for a time
no word was heard Of the disaster. Bat
a the hours went by, stories of the fire
began to float about the boxes and upon
the floor, and the gayety of the occasion
was darkened. Bright smiles gave place
to grave and sorrow stricken faces.
Many hurried to the top Of the Audito-
rum building to gaze at the reddened
sky above lake Michigan, seven miles to
the southwest.
Not one in the great throng but had
gloried in the triumph Of the fair and to
many who had spent days and weeks
amid the cleaning walls and countless
treasures Of the exposition, the loss came
with something of a shock. About the
corridors in the boxes and around the
supper tables, the one topic Of converse
tion as the evening advanced, was the
great fire. Messengers were kept hurry
ing Cd and fro bringing news Of the pro-
gress of the flames. All the telephones
ia the vicinity were soon seized by the
anxious guests and the wires were in con-
slant use until the last dance was over
and fhp last danrnr .rv4na