The Washington times., 1894-07-25

Changing bells, roaring names, rushlng en-
gnes. crashing walls, agonizing shrieSs OF
horses that were perishing in the fiery fur
nace-such was the scene that was presented
to eve and ear as Knox's stables at B and Sec
ond streets and the other buildings in that
block fell prey to the destructive element
early this morning.
Not since the big fire in the Patent Offlce,
many years ago, has the fire depart
ment of the District had to cope with so
fierce a coniagration. All its appliances
were brought into action, and officers and
men worked with the intelligence,
zeal and effective circumspection which
has made washington's fire bri-
gade rank among the best in
the country. But even their heroic efforts
were unavailing to save from destruction the
property within the immediate grasp of the
devouring element, and they had to direct
their energies in large measure to protect
the houses in adjacent blocks from becoming
ignited by the brands that were flying
through the air.
Most horrible Of all, came the report that
five men were buried under the ruins. No
certainty could be had as to this account for
long time because it was almost impossible
TO make a search for them in that roaring,
seething sea of fire. but at last the terrible as
surance came that five brave fremen had
been crushed under the falling walls. Four
men were injured by falling walls and timb-
ers, and these were promptly removed to the
Emergency Hospital for treatment.
Following is the list Of killed:
SAMUEL MASTEN.
REUBEN FENTON.
DENNIS O'DONOHCE.
All three men were members OF No. en-
gine company, and were crushed to death by
tho falling of the west wall.
Masten's body was recovered about 4:S0
o'clock. The 1remen are still at work dig
ging in the ruins for the remains of the other
two men.
The list Of the men wounded by the falling
walls as far as known, and the extent OF THEIR,
injuries. is as follows:
JAMES G. WILSON, No. 525 Eleventh street
southeast, fracture of the right leg.
JAMES KELHAR. No. 1852 Virginia avenue
southwest, severe sprain of the back.
LEE BELL, No. 1902 street northwest, ter
ribly burned about the face and body.
JAMES E. HOOPER. No. 521 F street north
east, lacerated wounds about head and
shoulders, caused by falling bricks.
These men were all removed to the Emer-
gency Hospital, where their wounds were
dressed
The police reported that some laboring men
were also lost in the building. being over
come by smoke while endeavoring to save
some of the property and books from the
office, but this report could not be verified.
The fire was under control, by its own aid,
rather than that OF the fire department at
$40 a. m.
The walls falling, which In the majority Of
cases fell inward, did more to subdue the
flames than all the water that was poured
into the burning mass.
At 4:lO A. m. that portion Of the block
which had been occupied by Knox's stables
and storage warehouse. with the alleys and
streets which bounded the buildings, was
dismal picture of smouldering ruins. The
telegraph polls were either in part burned
down or still burning.
The broken or melted wires had fallen in
irregular masses across the streets.
Then for The first time the people who had
fed from their houses on the opposite sides
OF and Second streets in terror, returned
to find that their dwellings were not de-
stroyed.
The paint on the frame buildings was
hlistered or burned of, and the owners or
occupants busted themselves by throwing
water on the fronts to prevent their catching
fire. which threatened.
The scene OF ruin and destruction was in
describable.
The charred flesh Of the brave flremen who
lost their lives at the post of duty; the burn
ing carcasses Of horses; the ashes and smoul-
dering remains Of the entire household
effects OF many residents in this
city, the silrerware and valuable pictures of
others and the sealskins and winter garments
OF many ladies OF fashion and society lay be-
meath the piles OF brick and mortar which
had composed the walls Of tho buildings
Considering the nature Of the fre, the ra-