The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-01
Thirteen Blocks Burned Over and
Thousands Made Destitute.
tempt TO Destroy Plague Infected
the Flames Across u Great Area

/ thirteen blocks. was burned TO the ground
and forty-fve hundred men, women and
children were driven from their homes
absolutely destitute, save the clothing
which they had on their backs. These refu-
gees were herded in an old church and
churchyard for the night, and then were
distributed to detention barracks, The
less by fire will amount TO over half a
million dollars, and the cost of maiDte-
nance of this army OF destitute will amount
to a large sum. but it is believed the
plague is stamped out.
Saturday morning, January 20, the fire
department started TO burn part OF what
is known as block Is in the infected dis
trict of Chinatown. 1t was six blocks
from the water front and two blocks from
the Nuuau River. Adjoining IL was the
Kaumakapili Church. native church. con-
tanning the finest pipe organ and the finest
cathedral window and the only chime of
bells in the city. II was a church built
largely through the efforts OF King Kala-
kaua. The area TO be burned was about
two ordinary city blocks.
Early in the progress of the fire a steady
northeast trade wind suddenly became
gusty and variable. One OF the spires of
Kaumakapili Church caught fire from the
flying sparks and carried the fire entirely
over the church TO the Chinese joss house
on the other side. This started a fire in
a region from which the population had
been removed. The efforts of the depart
ment were devoted 10 stopping the fire
there and the FIRE in the church gained
ground.
An engine was placed in n position TO
try and save the church. which was much
venerated by the natives. All at once the
flames broke from it with the suddenness
of an explosion. The fremen had to fee
for their lives and the fire engine was de-
stroyed. Just as this crippled the depart
ment the wind grew stronger from the
northeast driving the flames toward the
river and water front. right over that por-
ton of the quarantined district, from which
the people had not been removed.
The People Panic Stricken.
Fire broke out here and there, as the
wind carried the firebrands to the shinglo
roofs panic seized the four or five
thousand people within the quarantine
limits, hemmed in on all sides by the mill
tary Gordon, and with the fire borne by the
strong wind sweeping down on them, burn
ing alive seemed their fate. On the Nuuau
River side OF the district hundreds Of the
frenZied mobs charged the guards, deter
mined to break through TO safety. On the
other side OF the district other mobs gath
cred though these were not in such immi
nent danger
The National Guard, which was holding
tine quarantine lines, withstood the at
tempts to escape. They were speedily re-
enforced by all the reserves OF the National
Guard and of the police and hundi eds OF
citizens, who rushed to the scene, armed
for the most part with axe handles and
pick helyes, which they took from hard
ware stores on the way. The people of the
district, mostly Asiatics and Hawaiians.
we're soon under control, but 1t was evil
dent that they must be Immediately re-
moved from the district kawaishaO
Church six blocks 10 the eastward, with
its ample church yards. surrounded by a
coral wall, was the most available place.
A line Of guards on each side Of King
Street, from the quarantine district to the
church, was quickly formed, and about
lHTtt lNuuSdhu VI Tue ltbIl' were MAJ tutb
thitcher at once. The remainder were
where they were tolerably safe, and later
marched 10 the church also.
10 was both thrilling and pathetic
sight 10 see 1900 homeless people. branded
as plague infected, with their homes and
all their clothing burning behind them,
marched under guard from the devouring
flames TO the oldest church on the island.
So far as possible drays and express wag
ons were provided for the women and
children and the aged and feeble. Such
articles as they could hastily gather they
were allowed TO carry with them, infected
though they were believed &c be, for fear
that any attempt TO take these things
away from them would result in riots.
Chinatown Devastated.
Chinatown was doomed, but the flames
were sweeping on toward the water front.
Some score of vessels at the wharves were
quickly pulled out into the stream to save
them from burning. No damage was done
TO shipping. The fire burned its course to
The waterfront and river. An area of
thirteen blocks was burned over. All Of
his was in the infected district
During the progress of the fire there
was q constant succession of explosions as
the flames reached the fireworks which
Chinese merchants had laid In for the ap-
preaching Chinese New Year and kerosene
kept for household use. as large quantities
of oil and powder were kept In stock con-
trary TO law In this district. The property
loss will aggregate half million dollars
While the women were huddicd in the
church several children were born. The
mothers and babes were properly cared for
As soon as it was known that the people
we're being moved TO the church generous
citizens began sending food, and ladies all
over the city gathered and brought in gar
ments for the children and infants. with
in two or three hours all had been pro.
vided with some food and tents were erect
ed for the men. Sunday and Monday the
work Of providing for the refugees was kept
up. There were no church services. In
stead the women organized sewing bees to
make garments for the destitute women
and children and gathered III cast-on
clothing for the men.
The work Of building detention barracks
was redoubled, and today there are only
few hundred persons detained at the
the remainder being in the new
detention camps, from which they viii be
liberated as fast as they finish their quar-
antine period without developing the
plague
Chinatown, the central source Of infec-
ton. is wiped out and ii Is believed the
end Of the plague is iE sight. Up TO date
there have been 1ifty-five cases OF plague
and forty-one deaths. There are ten con-
valescents. There have been no new cases
and no deaths during the past twenty-fuur
hours.
A STEAMER IN QUARANTINE.