The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-21
UP IN FLAMES.
Grand Stand at Race Track Is
Burned.
Fire Broke Out During One OF
the Races.
ONE MAN H u X IL &.
Frank Dudley Injured Trying
to Save His Horse.
There Were 500 People in the
Building.
ONE MAN HUR t .

The grand stand at the fair grounds
was totally destroyed by fire this after
noon causing a loss OF $1,000 Frank
Dudley was seriously burned WhlIe Iy-
Ing TO save his horse
IL was 2-20 O'Clock when smoke was
discovered coming from one of the
booths under the center of the grand
stand and 20 minutes later the braces
had been burned away and the entire
structure was a mass of smoulderlnS
ruins
About 500 people were in the stand
when the fire broke out but all es-
capped without injury. Under the grand
stand about % horses and buggies were
tied Willing hands united the horses
and set them free but there are thought
TO be six bodies of horses in the ruins
H A. Uter1man had six valuable dogs
under the stand and all are supposed
to have been burned at loss of $500
r + Wear had two horses, b j. Pur-
nam and Chief James Ramsey a morse
each tied under the stand which have
not been accounted for and Whch are
supposed to have been burned.
Frank Dudley was severely burned
while trying 10 get his horse and buggy
out from under the stand He managed
10 escape and was taken home he Is
q son of John Dudley OF the pOStotnce
Cant. Perkins of fire station No.
was on the ground and immediately
sent in a second alarm calling out all
fire companies on this side OF the river
one line Of hose from 18th and Harrison
street was laid to the fire 1000 Seet
away but all efforts. to save anything
were unaVailing-
The wind blew from the south and
carried the cinders and fire brands
toward the stables and other buildings
The chemical engine was used IN put
ting out every small nre that started
ing the starter rang his bell for the
horses in the free for all pace to line up
and while the great clouds of smoke
were whirling away to the north the
horses We're sent under the wire for a
neat. The race meet will be continued
as first planned.
The flames soon crept along the grand
stand and found a vent near the center
where G H Samson was talking to the
timers of the races
The fire flashed through the floor
astonishing the men beyond expression
for moment. Mr., Samson made the
first move to get the women out of the
stand. In the center three hundred
chairs. nearly ali occupied, had been re
served for the women Surrounding
these chairs. separating them from 9TH
er parts of the stand was a rope. Mr..
Samson cut the rope and shouted:
Ladies. the grand stand is on fire.
Walk down this way and out across the
track. There is no danger. Move care
fully"
but some. relishing the idea of excite
ment. said:
Wen stay here and watch the fire.
The structure was then cracking as
the flames rapidly spread over it and
Mr. Samson said.
No, get out right away. Don't take
any chances.
The women moved hurriedly then and
he waited with d number of other men
until the last one had emerged from the
stand in safety. He followed and il
hTr~ a far
the grand stand crashed to the ground. !
Everything under the grand stand, |
excepting the horses that were turned
loose. were burned Those who had
booths and stands under the stand lost
all their stock and barely escaped with
their lives.
The fire started in a peanut stand
under the center of the grand stand.
A woman was roasting peanuts and the |
peanuts got on fire She threw a buck
ct Of water on them and scattered the
fire to the straw on the floor 4 cry
Of fire was started and the crowd COM
menced to pour out the grand stand. y /
policemen thought the fire had been |
extinguished and told the people to |
keep their seats. Just as the crowd |
settled down into their seats again the I
fire burst through the floor. The po- |
lice had considerable trouble in hand |
ling the crowd but all escaped without /
injury One woman left letter on her |
seat and wanted TO go back and a pO- /
liceman had to hold her.
Besides the horses, dogs and buggieS |
lost. several bicycles and all the chairs /
an the stand were burned.
The county commissioners carried |
s.. 500 insurance on the stand distributed |
as follows: 81. coo in the Hanover: 81. 900 |
in the Insurance Company of Pennsyl- !
vania. and $500 in the Connecticut FIRE |
THE SHOW JUST THE SAME. |
The fire which destroyed the grand |
stand this afternoon viii not interfere |
with tOmorrOw's programme for the |
horse show wa hrrrr
ing the enterprising management or
dered seats. chairs and lumber for |
bleechers for tomorrow The public !
viii be accommodated and while the |
facilities Will not be equal TO the grand |
stand the people will no doubt turn out
in crowds TO encourage the managers
in their efforts to please and to see
great show