Evening journal., 1900-02-01
A FIERCE BLAZE
THIS MORNING
Walther's Carriage Factory De-
srrOyed and Illinois Leather
Company Damaged.
LOSS IS NEARLY $4,000
JOHN MURPHYs HOUSE TOTALLY
DESTROYED-WHILE COVERED
WITH ICE FlREMEN AND PO-
IICEMEN BRAVELY FOUGHT
THE FLAMES.

IIcEMEN BRAvELY FOUGHT
THE FLAMES.
A disastrous fire occurred early this
morning at the carriage factory OF Wal
ther 4 Co., Causeway and Guthrie's
lane entailing a loss Of nearly $4,000.
The flames originated in the carriage
factory, and were first discovered by
John Murphy, who occupies a house
and conducts a store adjoining the
burned building. at Lao o'clock this
morning. Murphy at once ran out Of
the house and sent in an. alarm from
box No. l42, calling out the district
engines.
Upon the arrival Of the engines the
building was mass of flames and a
strong wind blowing. which endahger-
ed the properties in the vicinity
A SECOND ALARM.
Seeing the danger imminent. Chief
Sasse sent in q second alarm. and soon
all the engines in the city were upon
the scene. Much difficulty was expert
enced in securing water. as several OF
the freplugs We're frozen up, owing to
the extreme cold weather.
ADJOINING BUILDINGS ABI4AzE.
Shortly after the fire started the
flames, famed by the wind, leaped 10
the residence OF John Muruhy, and In q
moment 1t was a seething mass.
Adjoining the Murphy house is the
large plant of the Illinois Leather Com
pany of which Harry e. Wright is
manager. The blaze soon communi-
Gated with the stable, carriage house
and store room Of the leather company
and added extra work to the efforts OF
the firemen.
A FIERCE WIND.
A fierce wind was blowing at the
time, and the flames with a roar swept
across the causeway and communi-
Gated with the lumber yard Of the Pc
ninsula Lumber Company, in which
lmany thousands OF feet of dry lumber
were stored. Streams of water wer,
at once directed on the burning piles
lof timber and the flames were extin
guished before great damage was done
COVERED WITH ICE.
It was with great difficulty that thu
Ihremen were able to work, as the col,
was intense. Every time spray C
lwater touched the clothing OF the mel
liz instantly formed into ice. and in I
short time the fre-fghters' clothes
were frozen stiff The men presented
a weird appearance as the light Of thu
blaze glistened upon the icicles hang
ling from their hats, coats and boards
Not daunted by the weather, how
ever, the men kept up a heroic strrg
gle and saved the works of the III
nois Leather Company from total de
lstruction. John Murphy's store ant
house. together with the contents, wa
a total loss, as was Walther & Co.'S car
riage factory.
OFFICERS BRAVE WORK.
Had it not been 70 the brave ac
tions Of policemen Shields. Davidscl
I land Pierce, John Reese, father-in-laS
lof Mr.. Murphy, would have perishel
lin the blaze. The officers were frs
? on the scene and noticed Reese stand
r ling In the second story Of the Murph
, house. They called to him to come Gu
= lbut he did not seem to realize his dan
= ger, and made no effort to move. Tn
I lpatrolmen then procured a ladder fror
1.-THE Illinois Leather Company an,
T mounting to the second story, carrie
5 Mr.. Reese out and took him to a plac
{ lof safety. Many who saw the officer
= enter the house. the lower story
{ which was ablaze. never expected
p see them come out alive. Had il M
e been for the prompt action Of the o
a hcers, Reese would have been burne
{ to death.