The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-23
WORK OF THE FIREMEN.
They Fought the Flames to Excellent
Efect-Poiice Do Good Service.

w
Efect-Poiice Do Good Service.
The fire department had been Mt work
about fifteen minutes and the prospects of
eXtinguishing it without a great loss were
good. when a large blaze vas seen dart
ing from the windows of the third story.
The extension ladder was run up and a
line of hose was played on the flames. Not
withstanding the heavy and steady Stream
the flames gained Roadway and the multi
tude around on Meridian and South street,
shouted that the Germania Hotel and the
building occupied by Marks's rag and junk
shop were doomed. 1t seemed that II could
not be otherwise, as the flames gradually
swelled. A large sign of a former company
that occupied the building prevented the
firemen from throwing the water directly
on the flames. A rope was attached to it
and an attempt made 20 pull it down, but
it's fastenings were too secure. The crowd
OF people on the streets, who by this time
numbered thousands, greatly hindered ac-
tivity in getting the hose into position.
AT this moment the patrol wagon contain
ing a dozen officers who had been snatched
from their districts dashed up. Lines were
stretched on the east side of Meridian
street and the crowd was kept back in that
direction. Officers were stationed at the
corner or the two streets TO prevent inter-
ference. Acting Captain Schwab also sent
several officers in the crowd as a pre-
caution against pickpockeJs and sneak
thieves. Several suspicious characters We're
seen around. Soon after he did this Bert
Madison, who owns a shoe store at No. POI
West Washington street, reported that his
gold watch and chain. valued at $3.50. had
lance prevented further rObberies.
After the arrival Of the police the fremen
moved about with greater ease. The extern
son ladder was run up to the roof of the
Long building. The flames were leaning
twenty feet above the roof, and the pros
flumlned the neighborhO0d for several
squares around. and a newspaper could be
read with ease two squares away. The
firemen attacked the flames with a will.
The fire seemed concentrated In the rear
part of the Long building, and in the
rear and central part of the roof of
Spltzfaden's building. A stream from the
rear aided the one from the front, and in
five minutes the flames were subdued and
darkness fell over the surroundings. Ev-
cry one felt relieved as the flames died ont.
effective work. The tiremen were handi-
capped by several lines Of be hose. Three
sections burst soon after he steamers
began to- throw water, but these We're
quickly replaced and the streams brought
into play. The work of the firemen on the
engine room and baking department. Of the
cracker company was very effective.
Though the fire started there. and the
naInes shot UP rapidly, on account OF the
dry timber of which that part was built,
yet they were subdued within twenty min
utes after the third alarm was turned in.
lAAG H&tGNtSk lJGo IL ~ IEACI G~lllLIdlen,
proprietor Of the double block occupied by
the Home Cracker Company. He was too
excited. last night, to give a correct esti-
mate Of his loss. However. he said the
building was valued at $12.o00- He said he
carried an insurance of Sf,C00 in the Ger
man Mutual and another company which.
for the time being. he had forgot. The
Home Cracker Company suffered the next
largest loss. IL Is owned by a stock COM
pany. all the members of which reside i'm
Chicago. Manage Plum said he could not
give exact figures but estimated the less
surance Of about $500. The third floor was
filled with flour. while machinery filed the
greater part OF the second floor. and that
storing material. The lower floor was
packed with crackers and biscuits in boxes
ready for shipment. y small space was
used for the office. Mir. Plumb said he
valued the two horses at $50 each and that
a third animal was rendered useless and
probably would have to be killed.
Il. c.. Long is the owner OF the unOccU-
pied building. \. X. White sold him the
building some time ago for $500. There
was an Insurance OF $500 on ii placed
with Newton Todd and JChn Spann. which
Mr.. White had signed over to Mr.. Long.
As none OF the floors fell in the loss is
placed al about the amount OF the insur-
ance. Samuel Marks stated tha ne suf-
fered mostly through water ard smoke.
The flames did bat little damage Il the
building which he occupies. and which is
owned by Henry Barrett. Mr.. Marks says
his stock in the second ana third floors is
valued at about $500. He says he carried