The herald., 1897-04-16
New Orleans Is Damaged
Half a Million
FAMOUS MoREsQUE BLOCK
NOW ONLY A PILE OF TWISTED
IRON BARS
Kansas City Firebugs Thought to Be
Hoodlums Who Hate the Police
Commissioners
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW ORLEANS. April 15.-One of the
most picturesque structures in the city
known as the Moresque block, owned by
Gauch q Sons, was destroyed by fire
this afternoon. The fire broke out about
/ o'clock and by 2:30 pm. the edifice had
collapsed and upwards of 100000 had
gone up in smoke. The Moresque build
ing occupied one entire block. bounded
by Camp, Poydras andeChurch streets
and Lafayette square, and its walls were
built entirely of iron, in design known
as the Moorish. The Montgomery Fur
niture company and Gauch, Sons 4 Co.,
crockery merchants. were the tenants
of the building, and both firms>carried
full stocks. The firemen recognizing the
hopelessness of their fight against the
flames in the Moresque building, direct
ed their efforts toward saving adjoining
property. In this they We're only par
TALLY successful, for two newspaper Of
fees. the German Gazette anG The Even
ing Telegram. were completely gutted
and several stores were also destroyed.
The following is the estimate or the
losses:
Gauch & Sons, 100000 on building;
$50, 900 on stock.
Montgomery company. stock, Sloo'ooo.
German Gazette, $4,000.
Evening Telegram, $4,000.
Warren hotel and saloon, $4,000.
James A. Aiken, plumber, 800
Heath. Schwartz Sons, wall paper, ETC.,
$4,000.
The damage to other adjacent property
is estimated to be 1000. Total loss,
s4Oo. 900. with an assurance of s2sS,ooo.
The Daily States Publishing company
has rendered the use of it's plant to the
burned out German Gazette and that
paper will be published tomorrow morn
irg as usual.
KANSAS CITY FIRES
KANSAS CITY, April 15.-Conclusive
proof that at least one or two OF last
nights fires were started by incen-
diaries was developed today in the nnd-
tho of kerosene saturated bundles OF
rags. etc. in the ruins. AS yet no clue
to the firebugs has been found. The ag-
pregate loss on the different buildings
will amount to but $4,000, with insur-
ance OF about two-thirds that amount.
The general opinion among business
men today is that the gamblers ana the
hoodlums of the city are responsible for
The fires, and acted In spirit OF revenge
against the newly appointed board OF
police commissioners and CHIEF OF Poiice
Vallins. who have been pushing cru
sade against all evil doers. This belief
is strengthened by the fact that the
Scarritt estate, owned principally by
Police Commissioner Scarritt, suffered
the heaviest loss. Since the days OF
"Lexow' investigation gamblers and
"touts" have been harshly dealt with
many having been heavily fined or
driven to other cities. and they have re-
peatedly made open threats against the
city officials.
The last effort of the incendiaries was
an attempt at burning two-story brick
building at 604 Broadway. occupied
principally by the Consumers Grocery
company, a wholesale concern. Rags
saturated with oil had been pushed
under the door and set afire from the out
eide. Fortunately the door smothered
the blaze. The attempt was not discov-
cred until opening time today.
SMALLER BLAZEs.
FREMONT, O., April is. The entire
business portion of the little village of
Lindsay, eight miles west of here, was
destroyed by fire this morning. A dozen
buildings were burned, entailing a loss
of 5000; insurance $4,000.
CANFIELD, Ariz. April 15.-The Can
field Lumber company's saw mill was
destroyed by fire last night. Loss $780,
900; insurance $40, 900.