The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-06
INDIANA TOWN SUFFERS
DISASTROUS FIRE AT ALBANY EARLY
THIS MORNING.
Several Business Firms burned Out
EntaiIing a Loss of About $4,000
-Onc Man Badly Crushed.
Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
MUNCIE, Ind, Feb. $3.50 a. m.-Tele-
phone messages from Albany state that at
midnight fire broke out in the business por-
ton of that town and at this hour is still
raging furiously. Several of the best busi-
ness blocks have already been destroyed,
and the citizens are now engaged in tear
ing down buildings to stop the progress of
the flames, there being no fire protection
there.
A call was made on this city for fire en-
gine, but it was not sent Fire Chief Shepp
is i'll at his home, and those to whom the
message was sent called on c. H. Anthony,
chairman of the Council fire committee.
Mr.. Anthony, it is said, refused to give
any assistance. and his action is causing
much adverse comment in this city. He
gave as his reason the recent dealing with
the town of Farmland. Engines were sent
to that town and it's citizens afterwards
refused to pay the expense. The City Coun-
Gil then made an absolute rule that the
fire department should not go out of the
city, and it was on this, it is reported,
that Mr. Anthony based his action.
Only meager particulars as to the fire can
be obtained. as telephone communication
was partly cut off about o'clock. The
fire started in the Speicher block, On State
street. At 2:90 o'clock the entire business
portion Of the city was threatened with de-
struction. When the citizens met with a
refusal from Muncie they resorted to their
only recourse-that of tearing down build
ings in the line of the fire. This
was going on when this message was sent.
a. m.-Another message from Albany
says the fire started in the cellar of VOLTS
| block. This block, which was totally de-
stroyed, was valued at $4,000. All the oc-
cupants suffered almost entire losses.
VOLTS clothing store suffered loss that is
Mull's shoe store, $1,000; j. w. Wilson's gro-
cery, $4,000; Paxton Bros hardware store,
SO, 900. Drs. Murry & Powers, Prosecuting
Attorney Ira Overmeyer and DIR. George
Russell had offices in this block and suf-
fered the loss of all their furniture and
fixtures. The Odd Fellows and Masons'
lodges occupied the upper floor and lost all
their effects. The total loss to this build
ing and contents was probably $35,OOO A
considerable portion of the stocks on the
lower floor was carried out and saved. The
Summerville barber shop, in frame build
ing, was destroyed
The last information was that the fire
was in the building opposite the speicher
block, owned by c. Martin and occupied
by McGugin's drug store and the telephone
exchange. The operator who was tee-
phoning this information was interrupted
by the fire and his last statement was that
he would tear out telephone and hook ii
on to a wire somewhere outside and con-
tinue the message later.
One serious accident is reported. a
tramp who was assisting the citizens in
lighting the fire was the victim. A brick
chimney fell in him. Several people rushed
to his rescue at the imminent danger OF
their own lives, dragged the crushed and
bleeding form from beneath the wreck and
carried it to the hotel. where everything
possible for his comfort was done. He was
probably fatally injured. His name could
not be learned
5:15 ii. m.-The fire is now under control.
The total loss is estimated at $4,000 TO
S9O,op and the insurance is probably not
one-third as much.
Albany is situated on the Lake Erie a.
Western Railway in Delaware township
and county, twelve miles northeast OF Mum
Gle the county seat. and six miles from
Redkey. 1T is a gas-belt manufacturing
city and has population of over two thou
sand.
Doctor shot In Oklahoma.
PERRY, Q. r.. Feb. 5-Dr. w. NJ Nc
Coy, a physician from Lincoln, Neb., was
..t.& n. N.