The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-05
TUESDAYS BIG FIRE
INSURANCE. MEN PROTEST AGAINST
INADEQUATE APPARATUS.
Hoard of Trade Calls Meeting
Firms That Suffered Preparing to
Resume Business.

1t was impossible yesterday for the
wholesale firms whose places were burned
out by the disastrous fire OF Tuesday to
give much more accurate estimates Of their
losses than were first given out. Schnnll
& Co. will not be able to get at their safe
for some days until the ruins can be
cleared away and 1t can be located. 1t Is
thought the safe fell through 10 the base
ment. The firm opened headquarters yes
terday however. at 50 and 81 South Merid-
ian street. directly opposite the old building
Through the courtesy of other Joooers on
the street, who came 10 their assistance,
the firm was able to make a number OF
large shipments during the day. In snort
time IL will be able to fill orders the same
as before the fire occurred.
Hildebrand a. Co. have rented the old
Daggett stand, northwest corner of Georgia
and Meridian streets. Men were at work
Yesterday fitting up furnace and getting
the building ready for occupancy.
A member OF the firm said last
night IL will be able to re-
sumo business within a week or ten days.
A clear estimate of the amount OF dam
age cannot be made until the work of salv-
age is completed. Before the fire reached
the Hildebrand corner large force OF men
succeeded in carrying out and saving the
entire contents OF the first floor. Luckily
for the firm, it's office was located in room
OF the Levy building and their safe AID
valuable papers were not damaged. but In
stead remain iatact. Most OF the goods
stored on the third and fourth floors or the
building occupied by Eckhouse Brothers
consisted OF woodenware. refrigerators.
washing machines. etc. belonging to Hide
brand Co. This stock is entirely de-
stroyed, but Mr.. Hildebrand said last night
he thought there would be a good deal Of
salvage on the balance of the stock. 1t is
thought the FIRMS loss will not exceed
$4,000. instead of 100000. was first
thought.
Mr.. John Pohlman, of Woodford & Pohl-
man, was busy yesterday experimenting
the work OF salvage begun in their store.
Ii was found the fire had not reached below
the third story and they will be able to
save considerable stock, although much
damage has been done by fire and smoke
to the wines and liquors stored in the eel
lar The bottled liquors are not injured,
but they will have to be recased at con-
siderable cost. Mr.. Pohlman said he
thought they would be able TO save from
$1,000 to $1,000 worth Of stock. The loss
VIII probably reach $4,000 and may exceed
that sum.
form the ruins at Ward Brothers drug
house, but il is believed most of the stock
is destroyed. Considerable fine whisky was
stored I'm the cellar. Part of this may be
saved, although ii is very doubtful, as the
entire interior OF the building was Quilted
by the fire and it will take a good while to
remove the debris OF the fallen walls.
Ward Brothers safe. containing their val
liable papers. lies buried somewhere in the
cellar. Ii is feared their valuable papers are
Destroyed. Marion Ward one OF the mem
lishment occupied two buildings, the build
ing facing Meridian street being used as the
store room, while the warehouse was IN the
rear. The insurance. on the front building
was $4,000 and on the rear building $1,000,
making a total of $4,000. He SAYS the
stock was worth between 5000 and $50, 600,
the exact amount being unknown, as no
invoice has been taken for year. Mr..
Ward says the loss in the front building Is
total. but there will be considerable salv-
will be between $4,000 and $4,000.
All day yesterday clouds OF smoke con-
tinued TO roll up over the ruins OF the
keep streams of water constantly turned
into the smoldering piles OF half consumed
bags of coffee. barrels OF sugar and other
merchandise of which the immense stock
was composed. Telegraph poles and wires
were covered with Ice, while the streets
were so slick the hremen and laborers en-
plOyeu ABOUT the OulIuiiSs COulu ocdTccly
stand. AS soon as workmen could enter adj
jacent buildings with safety the work OF
carrying out the stock that had not been
destroyed was begun.
There were various rumors to the ORR
gin OF the fire. Yesterday 1t was said a
series OF explosions were heard just prior
to the great crash, which was followed by
fire and smoke issuing from the Schnull
building. 1t is also reported by eyewit-
nesses at the Grand Hotel that smoke was
seen before o'clock, although the alarm
was not turned in until thirty minutes
later than that hour. II is possible the
fire was due to electric wires. as there were
wires in the building for both electric light
and power.