Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1895-03-25
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS.


Almost from the time that the alarm
was first turned in immense crowds of
As the night wore away and the flames
sent their reflection across the sky. and IL
was seen that the nre was 70 be disas-
| trous one the people from all of the sur
rounding towns even as far away as ln-
dependence. Hooked To the blums. filed all
carry them near the blaze. and when a
good position for observation was secured.
remained interested spectators until late
nv . o'clock the bluNs from Fif.h street
70 the extreme southern city limits We're
( literally crow'icd with people who wCte
content 10 view the fire from "a distance.
For a long time II was not definitely known
among these people just what II was that
was burning, and much speculation was
INDUCED In. Down IN she bottoms "a
steady stream of people. marched towards
tho river. across the bridges, snd swarmcd
In the vicinity of the fire. SO that II was al
most impossible for those having business
near the burning plant to get near enough
to transact their business In safety.
The northern portion of Kansas city.
kas.. was almost deropuated by the time
body who was able either took some OF
the cars to the scene or lined the hills
from Minnesota avenue to the Armstron;
buns Every car on the Arnour5ale line
was crowded early In the evening, aud
every returning car was crowded with
those who had been on the ground. and
who were returning or seeking better
place from which to look at the blazing
North side people were met almost he
fore they arrived on the South side by
equally impatient and curious crowds from
Argentine. and even Rosedale. all OF the
Wyaudotte county towns turning out en-
masse to take in the sights. Around the
plant. covering every vacant point. on the
houses and In the streets. were crowded
at least 90 600 people all of whom were
present for no other purpose than mere
Sightseeing. They got In the way of the
tiremen and each other ana passed few
hours of fatigue and discomfort in order
to crafty their curiosity.
The news spread so early and so rapidly
that It had serious effect on the theater
audiences and church congregations, many
play soers and worshpers deserving their
seats for the scenes around the fire. Ev-
cry train over the bluffs. every car
through the tunnel and every line OF
transportation from this city to Armour
dale or which would connect with any that
would reach there was crowded with peo-
pie on the way to the fire.
Notwithstanding the intense heat thrown
flame, the people kept crowding up almost
to the limits Of the fences. Down Rail-
road street, the highway running along
the west side of the plant, the people rush
ed and many of them stuck there, al
though the vacant space between the fence
of Reid Bros and the buildings on the
other side Of the street was very limited.
Kansas avenue, which runs along the
north of the establishment, was alsc so
full that 1t was very difficult for the fire
men to manipulate their apparatus Re
monstrance, threats and even force were
insufficient to clear the street. The peo-
pie We're there to see and they stayed until
their, wishes in this regard were fully sat
isfied