Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-05-11
II WAS A SI5,OOO,OOO FIRE
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, BURNED
started by Defective Wfre-rire
burned Ten Hours-13O blocks
Burncd-Number of Lives Lost
Property Loss Enormous

Jacksonville, Fla, May 5.-The most
disastrous fire in the history of this
city began in a small factory, started
by a defective wire, according to the
best belief, and burned for nearly ~
hours. In that time a property loss
estimated at from $10000,000 to $751;
600, 1000 was caused.
Losses.
According to the city map 100 blocks
were burned, many of them in the
heart of the business and residence sec
ton. The estimate of houses to the
block Is 10, hence 1900 of them went up
in smoke Many of the finest public
and private buildings were destroyed,
including hotels, theatres, churches
and residences.
The mayor has ordered all saloons
closed and has impressed help to clear
the wreckage. The mayor states that
he estimates the loss at $15,000,000 and
that from $4,000 to $4,000 people were
homeless.
Thousands of persons are on the
streets tonight, homeless with prac-
tically all their worldly possessions up
on their backs. The depots of the rail
roads, situated in the southeastern sec
ton, have been turned into temporary
lodging houses and hospitals. Luckily
the weather is fine, so that there will
be no suffering on that score.
Meetings of the city council, the COM
mercial bodies and the charitable in
situations will be called Saturday morn
ing to devise ways and means for meet
ing the situation. 1t is not yet known
if an appeal for help will be issued,
though it is thought likely that the
exigencies of the occasion will demand
such action 1t is hoped that an appeal
can be avoided.
Dropped Dead.
w. w. Cleveland, in whose premises
the fire originated, and who was one of
the heaviest losers, dropped dead from
excitement, A stalwart negro bringing
trunk on his head from a burning
building, went crazy from the horror
of the situation. He ran around in a
circle with the trunk on his head until
he sank exhausted and died.
At midnight the military was order
ed out to guard the household goods |
piled high in vacant lots.
Rich and Poor.
Jacksonville, Fla, May 5.-The fire
disaster has effectually obliterated the
dividing line between rich and poor
and a common catastrophe has made
all kin. Women wealthy yesterday,
penniless today, sat on the curbing be-
side the beggar, sharing alike the pitt
less fate that befell them both. The
sidewalks are thronged with homeless
people. The wharves are crowded with
sleepers and every available craft in
the harbor has been made into tenn
porary hotel.
Religious services will be held Sun
day in the open air. Not city church
remains standing. Fire Chief Haney is
improved and it is thought he will en-
tirely recover
Jacksonville is in total darkness save
for the reflection that Eliminates the
sky in the western portion of the city,
marking the vast fields of glowing en-
bers that now and then are famed into
flames.
At 7 o'clock additional troops reach
ed the city to relieve the soldiers who
had been on duty for more than "a
hours. Crowds are leaving the city on
outgoing trains, yet the multitude of
homeless people on the streets does not
appear decreased.
The night scenes are picturesque and
pitiful About the city are cordons of
soldiers, and at each corner a police
man or soldier stands Amid the
greatest excitement the day passed and
the city tonight is quiet. Little dis
order has been reported. At meeting
of the citizens committee a resolution
was adopted prohibiting the running of
excursion trains into the city. If the
trains are run the eXcursionists will
not be allowed to leave the train.
The negroes, though hungry and ter
ror-stricken have so far shown no dis
position to give trouble. The Times
Union and Citizen announces tonight
the receipts of nearly $4,000 contribut-
ed to the relief of the city.
Surgeon General Wyman is sending
carload of tents for the sufferers.
A sailboat that was at the boat yard
at Third and Main streets was made
use of by Alfred Ball of Springfield, a
suburb. Mr.. Ball says:
There were certainly many lives
lost at that point The shrieks and
cries for help that came to my ears dur
ing the first moments of the four hours
that was in the river were heartrend-
ing. l was utterly helpless to aid. 7