New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-22
HOBOKEN'S BIG BLAZE.
THU LOSS Es1IxsNy'DD AT NEARLY $500 .ooo-A
woMANs STORY OF THE ORIGIN
TILE LIRE

, OF THE FIRE
Th. ruins Of the long row Of fve-story double
fathouses at Nos 1,2J3 10 1.229 Washington-sts,
Uoboken end the mammoth factory building in the
rear which were destroyed by fire on Thursday
| rjpbt smouldered until late hour yesterday.
The scene OF the conhagration was visited yester-
day by thousands Of people, no commented on the
fact that it was almost n miracle that the flames
did not extend to the houses across the streets
The wreck was complete. Excep. for seVera! chin
news and the southern end OF the factory building
the walls all down, and hardly a ve5tise OF
woodwork remained The southern hathouse, at
No I2O3 Washing on-st.. alone was saved.
The great difficulty experienced by the fremen in
getting at the blaze was attributed to the location
of the buildings 1t was impossible to get lines OF
hose into the factory from the west SIDE as there
WAS only space Of forty between this structure
and the fathouses. 1t the natural conse-
ouence with a wind favorable to the fire. that the
flames should have been driven into the fats When
the factory was built by John c. Crevier far-seeing
men prophesed that, in the event Of a big fire in
the factory power on earth wouid save the o'hef
buildings from destruction.
The origin OF the fire is as yet more or less or
mystery. Mrs. Martin, who lived in one OF the
houses. however, tells story which may iead 10
| rigid examination Mrs. Martin said that she was
| looking out Of one of her windows when she saw
| two men, apparently engaged IN conversation. IN
Straus G Co.'S (R. II. Macy IL Coz decorating rooms
She declared that one Of the men struck a match
ga II TO light cigar, and threw 1t on the noor IN
| stantly a flame sprung up and the men, she said,
| scrambled around for short time tryIaS TO eXtln-
/ guish IT, but without success, as II grew digger aha
bigger and finally they were compelled 10 run out
OF room. In snort time MIS- Mar IN IN CUiuii
ued the top floor ablaze and then an alarm was
sent in The room was situated In the southern emo
OF the factory, and that IS where Chlei AppIegate
| The Common Council met in the City Hall yes
| terday afternoon and made arrangements 20 pro
vide for the temporary care or me IRE sulieIeIs
| Poornaster Harry L. Barck will be Instructed 10
give aid where assistance is needed. one hundred
and six families. according TO the DOCKS OF the idD
! driven from their homes. great deal OF 1uIn-
| ture which rescued from the iats. was broken
| in the grand rush. while many valuabeS were
| These tenants were, on the whole people who
work for their living and were not very well-to-do.
| MANY OF them were uninsured.
| II ;s estimated that the damage actually done
will amount TO $500 90 Both buildings were owned
! by the Hoboken Land and Improvement Company,
OO II ia said that the factory building was valued
al $50 OOO but Richard Stevens, OF the company re
! fused TO tell the exact amount NJ Wmch IL was
The insurance was divided up as follows; Flats
Citizens Insurance. $4,000; Liverpool and Lon
| don and Globe Insurance. $4,000; Cnderwrters
OF New. York, $4,000; Royal Insurance of England
$1,000 Aitna Of HARTFORD S-SyS ,crI Total Sit2
| pennsvIyania' S2S.5: North British and Mercan-
| Tie ST. $50: Actna $1,000: Underwriters, Of New
/ dence- Washington 81 100; Scottish Union. $500;
| reliance Of Philadelphia 5000; total, 10000.
! TnerG was $4,000 Insurance the boilers, making
II is estimated that fully $4,000 lost by tho
tenants their furniture. The losses OF BENTON,
| Heath & CO.. wallpaper manufacturers, approx
| mate 10000. Gallagher * Paul, manufacturers
| OF brushes and toilet articles. place their loss At
| ana machinery In Straus d 60 g cur Glass estab-
! lishmont is estimated AT SsOvO H. ward Leonard
electrical apparatus, vas also heavy loser The
| ascerta!ned in Hoboken yesterday.