The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-01-18


fall upon the light decorations be-
meath, lines 81 hose were conveyed into
the building and an attempt made to ex-
tinguish each before any FIRE began, n
spite Of all that could be done
The Triumphal Archway
before the French section caught fire,
and in an instant was ablaze through
out. Streams were directed upon it,
hut it continued to blaze until the frame
work fell into Columbia avenue, where
it could be more easily reached and ex-
tinguished. The fire caught in num-
berless other places and burned small
holes in the aoor and decorations. s5
The scene inside the great Manufac-
turers building is Of absorbing interest.
Here and there are seen boxes with their
tops half burned through, but their con-
tents safe except for water that leaked
into them. "A few timbers in the roof
are still burning and smoking. Alead
Of hose from the Fire Queen stretched
from her mooring place at the west
side OF the building in the left door and
up the clock tower to the highest Of the
five coronas, which is 140 feet from the
floor, had served for lighting the build
ing. Upon this corona were = number
Of fremen who from their perilous percn
directed stream upon any incipiekt
blaze that might anywhere break out.
Policemen Guarded the Doors
and would allow ingress to none except
exhibitors or those who had work to do
in the building. But although the curl
GUS crowd was barred out the main
floor almost swarmed with people.
The exhibitors, anxious to find cut
their losses and to move their cases out
Of the water and debris, had engaged
additional help. Laborers were busy
with sweeping away ashes and wheeling
huge boxes into other positions or load
ing them on wagons for removRlN Chief
Allison was on the ground to ascertain
the extent of damage done in his depart
ment and to give necessary instructions
to his employees. Customs officials were
busy looking after the interests Of TIE
department and exerting themselves to
satisfy the desires of exhibitors so far as
possible. ...
Busiest Of all was Director of Works
Durham, who was apparently DESTROYS
of doing everything and Of pleasing
everyone. He worked hard, giving
directions and answering questions, and
seemed to be in all parts of the building
at once. Colonel Rice, of the Colum bian
guards, concentrated his forces and per-
sonally directed their movements for the
preservation of exhibits intact.
Great Crowds Assembled.
Outside upon the grounds had assem-
bled the largest crowd since the gates
closed Nov. 1. This latter climbed to
roofs and windows wherever practicable
to view the work of destruction.
Thousands of people swarmed about
the grand basin, and in groups
discussed the event which broke and de-
stroyed the harmony Of the artists con-
ception. From the Administration
building, they had, save for the I'M
slightly heaps of ashes, view across the
frozen grand basin far out into Lake
Michigan. The gilded statue Of the re-
public alone remained to remind sight.
seers Of the gorgeous scenes presented
during the summer. .S s ss
The work Of ascertaining as far as
possible the extent Of damage done to
exhibits began at once. Many boxes
will have to be opened, and their con-
tents repacked.
Through the ice aisles of the big build
ing, firemen and employees were min
Cling in apparent confusion, but all
working toward the restoration of order.
Hours necessarily passed, however, be-
fore a majority Of the lines of hose were
coiled up and removed and the workmen
We're given fairly unimpeded chance to
overhaul the packing cases. *
"A Survey Inside the Building.
A survey inside the building showed
that the greatest damage had been done
east and west Of the center aisle, and to-
ward the southern end of the building.
Under the southeast corner, in which.
the blaze burned most seriously, the
American musical section was located.
Many Of the goods on exhibition had
been removed, and those remaining were
stored in heavy packing cases. The sec
ton was completely deluged, and the
boxes are soaked and covered with ice.
Two or three inches of water cover
the floor in the French, Belgian and
Russian sections, east OF the center aisle
and south of the clock tower. Few
goods have been removed from this sec
ton, although all are packed. Badly
soaked and burned cases give an index
Of their condition, verified when some of
the boxes were opened. West of the
center aisle the English pottery section
was flooded, but little damage was done,
few packing cases remaining. Embers
from the burning roof fell directly
on the English and Canadian sections
and streams Of water were turned
against them. The damage resulted
from the food and the ice coating given
the boxes.
North Of the clock tower traces Of de-
struction gradually disappeared. Less
water was thrown on these quarters,
and fewer embers from the roof fell to
the floor. The northwest section is all,
most intact. Neither flames nor water
obod Tho or,,,,1,. FTtl,n Q~o~. L.