Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-26
MANY COTTON nALEs urzx1S TEXAS.
Disastrous Fire Mt GaIV eston Destroys
Large Amount OF Property.

n Large Amount of Preperty.
GALVESTON. Tex. Oct e5-The most
disastrous cotton ERE IN the history Of Cal
weston occurred early this morning. result
ing in the destruction Of $500 bales and
the warehouse in which they we're stored
The origin OF the Ere Is not known. The
warehouse was owned by W. F. Ladd
Loss on warehouse. 81 900; loss on cotton
SlS5,000 Loss fully covered by insurance
SAGINAW. Mich. Oct. 25.--Fire broke out
early this evening in the lumber pit and
on the mill plant premises OF the Center
Lumber company at Milwaukee six miles
down the river. II spread into a very large
connagration. which destroyed about 5000.
coo feet OF lumber. The sawmil and salt
works were in imminent danger but were
saved and only some small buildings were
burned. The fire departments Of Saginaw
and Bay City assisted la fighting the
flames. The loss will approach $3.50 600 and
is understood TO be fairly covered by in
surance.
LAWRENCE, Mass, Oct. 2s.-The Wash
ington mills. which form one OF the largest
cotton and dress goods manufacturing firms
in the city were badly damaged by fire,
which broke out half an hour before mid
night. Every FIRE engine IN Lawrence was
on the grounds for several hours and IL
was not until half past / this morning that
the flames were subdued. Mill No. 4 and
the drying room adjoining, where the fire
started, were practically Quilted and much
Of the stock and finished goods in the other
mills were damaged by water. The blaze
was discovered at II 40. The flames spread
with great rapidity and at II 80 a general
alarm called out the entire city depart
ment. The flames by this time had
spread from the drying room to the
main part OF mill No 4. a structure 800 feet
long. adjoining the four other large mills.
and much valuable property. The fire spread
from No. mill TO the weave and dry rooms
in the rear. and ignited the river mill on the
banks OF the canals. The flames were
checked after hard fight, and the river mill
sustained little damage. The FIRE burned in
No mill for several hours and left II In
ruins The fire started from spontaneous
combustion among the wool and at an early
hour this morning the stock In mill No.
was still burning furiously. although all
danger OF the fire spreading was past. II
is estimated the loss to the Washington cor
poration will be SOS OOJ; fully insured About
$500 operatives are employed by the plant
when it is running to its full capacity. and
all will be thrown out Of work for ten days.
CHICAGO, Oct 25.-By rare presence Of
mind Rev. Mr.. J. V. Blake saved from panic
his congregation during a fire which broke
out Just as the morning services we're be-
ginning at the Third Unitarian church to-
day. II destroyed the main part OF the
building. When the pastor took his place
in the pulpit his attention vas drawn to
smoke in the lobby leading TO the Sunday
school room. He remained standing until
the organist had ceased playing and then
requested the congregation TO retire quietly
by the rear exits. His mnrner so reRs-
sured those assembled that d panic was
averted. The church was almost entirely
destroyed. The loss is placed al $4,000.