The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-11-27
LONDON LIGHTED UP.
Flames Destroy Valuable Property
Covering Many Acres.

London, Nov. 20.-One OF the most
disastrous fires in London's history
since the great fire of 1906 broke out In
large block of buildings lying east
ward OF Aldersgate street and between
that thoroughfare AID Red Cross street
just after one o'clock Friday afternoon.
The flames were famed by strong
wind and were fed by highly inflamma-
bic stocks of Christmas fancy goods
and flimsy dress materials of all de-
scrjptions that filed every floor Of the
Eix-story buildings in the old street.
Consequently the conflagration gained
Roadway with surprising rapidity and
was soon far beyond the possibility Of
being checked by the few engines which
were early on the spot. For four hours
and a half the flames had their own
way, and IL was only after more than
n hundred engines had worked an hour
that the chief of the fire brigade sent
out the signal that the fire was under
control. At midnight the fire was still
the scene OF great excitement. Fifty en-
gines were playing upon the ruins, wag-
ons were hurrying up coal and tons OF
water were pouring into the fiery de-
bris.
Hamsell street was the scene Of the
outbreak OF the fire. which was due 10
an explosion in connection with gas
engine on the premises Of Walter Brown
g. Co, mantel manufacturers at No. 80
on that thoroughfare.
tits impossible TO accurately estimate
the damage done, but the direct loss
will probably be below $4,000, 600. The
Evening Standard in its financial ar
ticle says II Is believed that the bulk
OF the fire losses will fall upon Amer
lean fire insurance companies.
About 800 firms are seeking for new
offices. The estimates Of the amount OF
damage done range from Si0,000,000 TO
S60,000,000. but according to the best
opinion the loss is about Si0,000,000.
All the historic treasures Of Cripple
Gate church were removed, including
the records OF Oliver Cromwell's mar
rage. Millions burial and the deaths
from the plague in 1865.
The district ravaCod by the fire Is bound
cd by Aldcrsgatc street. Red Cross, Maiden
head court and Bradford avenue, aud IN
cludes the intermediate streets, Jewin,
HnmseH Well and Edmund, and Jewin
crescent The rayased district also in
cludcs part OF Australian avenue, PauFs
alley Cripple Gate churchyard, Wood
street square, Monlkwell street. Nichoh
square and Fore street.
Aldersgate street leads into Goswell road,
and from the latter runs Old street the
Oldest wny I'm or about London, and prob
ably older than London itself forming The
road from the eastern 10 the western coun-
ties" John Milton went 90 live In Jewin
street. or Adursgatc street, I'm 1861, and
here ne married his third wife. The church
OF st. Giles. Cripplegate, was built about
the year 100. close 10 the ancient city gate
or that name where cripples were permit
ted TO congrCgnte 20 ask for aims OF travel
ers. The church having suffered from fire
In 1886, was then partly rebuilt In IL Oliver
Cromwell. then only q years old. was mar
ried TO Elizabeth Boucher. August 20,
1920 In this church are the tombs Of John
Milton and his father and also the tomb OF
Fox. who wrote the Book OF Martyrs"
In the southwest corner OF 81. Giles
churchyard are the remains OF n bastion OF
the old Roman wall which once surrounded
the city. The funeral services OF Daniel
Dcfoe, author OF Robinson Crusoe." were
held IN ST. Giles church. The stained-Elass
window injured by fire was erected 10
tho memory OF Milton by the late George W.
Chlds. OF Philadelphia. This venerable
church is approached by an archway IN
Red Cross street, through which the fire
sWoDf