New-York tribune., 1897-06-15

| A moment later Silas Truman and George Hoon-
han, Of the tanitor's office, were by Gainess
| side. fighting the fire.
| While they were trying to get the flames under
control. draught of smoke and hot air lifted
| them off their feet and knocked them down the
| stairs to the ground floor.
| All Of them were badly shaken UP and more or
less cut about the head and face. In spite OF
the severe fall they had sustained. however.
they quickly arose and quietly aroused every
body in the buildings, displaying unusual pres
ence Of mind.
Had they lost their heads and shouted, panic
would have followed and many lives would have
been lost
The mems GOODNESS had a wonderful effect.
Everybody saw at once that the buildings
were doomed to fall in short while. but they
marched in an orderly manner out Of the place
and onto the John G. Carlisle.
By the time the immigrants were boarding the
boat a score of streams from the island fire ap-
| paratus were playing on the burning buildings.
Dr. Senner said the loss on the buildings
would be about S79OOOO Valuable records
were lost.
At 2:4O a. m the only building on the whole
island that would probably be saved was the
engine-house to the extreme west. as the WIND
was blowing from that point and the house In
question Is a fairly substantial building 1t was
impossible to any OF the other buildings
as the fire was entirely beyond control OF the
freboats. Between three and four acres were
covered with flames.
As the second Of the two hreboats left New
York one Of the watchmen Of the island fell into
the water. He was attempting to jump on
board after the board had started. and just
failed to clear the distance. Ropes were thrown
into the water, and after an exciting five min
utes the man was rescued. He was almost un-
conscious, and was Immediately taken to the
engine-roor
There was a great deal Of crowding among the
various craft inside the breakwater Of the ISL
and, and much delay caused thereby to the
freboats and tugs sent to assist
Dr. Senner Commissioner Of immigration.
with Mrs. Senner left his home at No. 24S
West Observation-Disclosures at lao
a. m on his way to Ellis Island. He said he
felt no anxiety. he was positive that precau-
tions for fire were so perfect that there could
rot possibly be loss of life.
The new immigration depot at Ellis Island
was opened on New Years Day. 1891. The
structure, like many other Government build
ings, though Of gigantic proportions. could not
be termed an architectural masterpiece. It was
built at cost Of about $5OOOO0 the original
estimate having been about onehalf that sum.
An idea of the buildings immense size may be
gained from the fact that more than four mill
ion feet of lumber used in Its construc-
tion. The huge building covered the greater
part Of the island the area Of which was some
thing less than five acres but this was in
creased to about eight by driving spiles about
the water front and filing in the vacant spaces
with earth.
The building Of no particular style Of
architecture. 1t was three stories in height,
with a tower at each corner The ground and
upper floors measured each 404 by 154 feet The
first floor was devoted TO railroad and baggage
transfers and private Offices On the second
fcor the registrations and examinations were
conducted
Among the general features Of the building
was a gallery which extended completely around
this floor From this the immigrants could be
inspected by the public or those interested In
them, without coming into actual contact with
them. Detention rooms were also provided on
this floor in abundance. There rooms for
paupers. another for lunatics, another for those
suspected Of being contract laborers. another
for women and children. and
The telegraph and money exchange offices, pos
tai stations, information bureau. railroad and
steamship offices were all arranged so as to give
the newcomers the least possible Inconvenience.
Sleeping rooms were provided on the floor above.
On the side facing the harbor the offices OF
the immigration officials. The depot was built
by Sheridan & Byrne Roosevelt. Son & Miller
did the pier work ami spiiing.