Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-21

Mason Shoe company was the property of MT. Hawkins. It was twin structure to the first named and was valued at $2O, ,00O. The stock was immense and it would be idle to estimate the value, though knowing ones placed it at fully S4O, ,Ooo. The Caldwell hotel was six stories high and fronted 120 feet on First avenue and the same on Twenty second street.
 The building was completed in 1888, since which time it has been open for the recep- ton of guests.
 The building cost $25O, GOO and the fur nishings $50, ,0O0. The insurance carried on the building and furnishings amounted to about S175, ,O0O, and was placed with several companies.
 The Caldwell was one of the finest struc- lures of the kind in the south and was supposed to be fire proof and could have been saved easily this morning had there been q sufficient pressure of water to throw a stream to the top of the Johnston bnild- ing, where the fire originated.
 The Johnston building had been burn ing nearly half an hour before the Caldwell caught, and all this time the flames had been spreading over the entire west end of the hotel. The heat was so intense that the cornice work on the tower and the roof melted and dropped to the ground and window glasses expanded and broke.
 The windows, sash and facings and tim bers in the tower blazed up and then the flames spread throughout the building from the top to the bottom floor.
 The flames were unconquerable and grad ually gutted the magnificent building which has been the pride of Bir- mingham since it's completion. The material nsed in it's construction was such that the fire could not make much progress, but the lack of water and the con- stantly bursting hose placed it at the mercy of the flames, which soon reduced it to a mass of debris and ashes.
 score or more of men were working heroically to save such things as could be removed from the house, but even then they could not begin 10 save the handsome furniture with which the building was fitted up.
 When it was seen that the flames would spread to the Caldwell, and that meant its certain destruction, the guests were all aroused and all escaped unhurt. Every few minutes man could be seen, grip in hand and clothes disarranged, coming out at the door and making break for some place of safety.
 it was impossible for person to stand within half block of the burning build ing without some kind of protection for his face, and even then the clothes would be scorched.
 were burned in two and fell across the street, falling missiles from the Caldwell and the Johnston build ings made it dangerous to stand near either of those houses.
 Flying sparks filled the air for blocks around and presented magnificent scene.
 The fire then spread from the building occupied by the Perry Mason Shoe com pany to the house of Clara Spaulding, and was only a short time in consuming it. Water was applied, but the stream was too small to be effective, the p.essure being very light.
 The loss upon the Spaulding house and furnishings will reach S5,000. The fire next spread to the building fronting Twen ty- second street and Second avenue, occupied by Annie Mule and Lil- lie Lester. The fam es soon consumed this building and contents. The loss upon the building and furnishings will reach S1O00.
 From the north side of the Caldwell the flames swept to the residence of T. D. Findley, and in short time this was also eat up by fire. His loss will reach S2S0O.
 IN DARKNESS.
 As soon as the wires near the burning buildings became unsafe the electric cur rent WAS cut off and the AaE-HERALD of- flee, from cellar to garret, was in total darkness. It was fully an hour ere lights could be procured, and these only candles.