The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-01-01
DOG SPREAD THE FIRE.
Blazing Gasoline Eel, on the Canine and
lie Rushed Arnund.

Chicago. H., Dec. 27-Thc Coliseum,
which burned Christmas eve. WAS set on
fire by pet dog. An explosion of gaso-
line set the dog on hrc. Lolita, a dancer
i'll the Cuban village. says Frank Muir
ply. an cnpioyc iii the N-ray booth, con-
fcss"i t. her that he caused the eXpo-
sion. She says he told tins to her and
her mother when he called on them about
the benefit Ia be given the exhibitors.
Lolita said: Murphy told me today
how the fire started. 1t was caused by
an explosion of gasoline in the N-ray eX-
hibit. \ big lamp was used 10 light the
booth, but II was not considered suth-
Clcnt. and the manager of the show sent
for a gasoline torch. Murphy said man
named Bowen gave the gasoline torch to
the manager and about twenty minutes
past = clock Murphy carried in a five
gallon can of gasoline. The lamp was
burning close by and when Murphy went
IL fill his gasoline torch he was quite near
the burning lamp. Morley, the manager
OF the exhibit, was on ladder almost
over the lamp arranging the drapery
about the booth. Murphy started 10 pour
which had not been lighted, but the fluid
caught from the burning lamp near hy
and went up III a puff.
There was a little pet dog in the place
connected with the exhibit, and when the
gasoline exploded the dog was covered
with the burning o:l. The poor beast
rushed around in terror and set fire to the
dTdpery of the booth. which hung TO the
floor. Quicker than flash the whole
trimming of the booth was on fire, and
the blaze was rising to the balcony where
our show was located. The men about
the booths near by ran and got the eN
tiugiiShers, but they would not work. \
hose was turned on. but they could get
no water.
j Morales. a Mexican dancer. warned
me to 20 out and We were just getting TO
the doors when the gas tank that sup
piled the calcium lights for the tisht-rope
walkers exploded and the place was a
mass II flames
I.ollta's story about the origin of the
fire was corroboratcd ny Frank Hatfield,
the doOrkeTpar.
Murphy. when seen. denied that the
explosion was caused ny Il can of gaso-
line He thought the drapery caught fire
from 4 cigarette or cigar stump.
The origin If the fire will be thorough
u investigated by the police and by
agents Of the Insurance companies, and
our company viii do all in It's power to
assist in the investigation, said Col.
John t. Dickinson. president If the Col
iScum company. Il DO not know yet
whether the nre was due 10 the act ot
an lucendiary or not. although | am in
clnCd To think il was caused by some
accident in the \-ray or picture exhibit.
About al that | have heard that would
Indicate inccndiarIsm has been CLEANED
from the new Spapcr>
''We Will have meeting Of the execu-
tive committee Of our company tumor-
row The subject Of rebuilding will
doubtless he considered. hut from what
know Of the temper of the Stockhold-
erS | am satisfied that no such project
will he undertaken hy them. for although
the Coliseum hade air 10 be very prof
ItahI,, Investment. those who put money
into II have Of course lost heavily hy its
destruction. We had just gotten clear Of