The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1901-11-09
business Portion Devoure d
by Flames.
Started in a Restaurant Strong
Wind Drove the Fire from
Building to Building.


OF + Dudley's restaurant. W F
Green, the first person to see the
fire, says when he saw it flames
were bursting out between the lunch
room and kitchen of the restaurant.
The wind was blowing stiff gale
from the northeast, and drove the
fire at 'ff1apid rate to the south
west. The buildings on the other
side OF the restaurant quickly took
hre, and being frame structures
burned like clnder. The fire leap
ed to the G. Mahaffey residence, a
distance of a hundred feet or more,
bat several men had arrived, and
all the furniture was gotten out of
the house and to place of safety.
By this time the flames had
spread both to the north and south
Terry's drug store, Cassel's paper
store, Jennings Bank & Trust Co.,
were all in flames.
Men every where were doing
berolc work saving furniture from
the residences, and valuables from
business houses. 1t was thought
that the flames would eat through
10 southwest, but the wind sud
denly shifted to the northwest AMI
drove the fire back over to the
business portion OF town. 1t was
almost impossible to get any water.
All the wells near the fire were
pumped dry, and Boehns pump.
and the pump at Shears Ice factory
were kept going; by 4:3o the flames
had spread 10 the east side of Main
street, and Scot,'s furniture store
was In mass of flames. The wind
continued 10 blow strong gale
from tie noril-Nest. 1t was then
seen tha. the whole business portion
was doomed. All the business men
began getting ont their desks and
valuable papers. With a roar that
was deafening, the flames spread IN
every direction, and at least twelve
business houses were in flames.
BY this time the whole town
was aroused, and thousands were
viewing the fire. People from the
surrounding country came in on
horseback, and in rigs, at gal
lop, to help fight the fire. Fully a
thousand men were fighting her.
oical'y.
The flames were eating in every
direction. A heroic effort was be.
-
ing made to keep the flames from
jumping across the street to the
Times offices and adjoining build.
ings, which if done would save
that part of the town still to the
north. At about 5 o'clock it was
seen that this part of the town was
free from danger, and all efforts
we're concentrated to check the
fire at the railroad track and thus
save the part Of the town to the
south.
In the meantime, men were
fighting like demons to check the
flames as they raced to the soutf
and southeast. The side track
was lined with cars, all filed witt
merchandise, and it was seen thai
unless they were moved, it woult
be utterly impossible to check th'
fire at the railroad. Operator Davis
ltelegraphed to Welsh for switcl
engine. It was more than half al
hour getting here. It's arrival wa'
despaired of, and the men went e
the tower end of the switch ant
began to uncouple the cars ant
shove them on down the track
By this means the track was al
almost entirely cleared. Some fiv'
or six cars we're just opposite tn
burning flames, and it was impos
sible to save them. By 5:39 tn
whole row Of buildings on From
street facing the railroad, were i
flames, including the McFarlai'
|store building. This was the onl.'
lbrick structure on the street; q
eyes were turned that WI
ke are 81 she ea1t north, wesl
y