The age-herald., 1901-05-05
Many Persons Are Believed to Have Been Buried
 in Ruins nd Whole Party Drowned

origin Of the f1re
 Origin of Fire.
 "Outside the factory there is drying platform, 200 feet square, on which the moss is piled after 1t has been ginned Twenty feet away there are two negro cottages and the chimney of one of these was on fire This however, is a frequent occuence, and once or twice before the fiber on the drying platform had been set afire with the falling soot from the chim- neys of the cottages. The men knocked off at 12 o'clock for dinner, and were lying around in the shade when one of them discovered that from the middle of the pile of moss smoke was issuing. This hay ing happened before. no importance was attached to it. and two men seized buck cts of water and went to extinguish the fire.
 But the fire by this time had gained considerable headway. The hoose was quickly brought into play. but the fire got away from the men and the alarm had to be sent in.
 There is no fire in the building, the factory being worked with electricity, and it is two months since we had the boilers at work.
 Every effort that could be made to put the fire out was made. but the strong wind and the dryness of everything was too much for the men at tho factory, and when the department reached the scene the fat pine buildings and the flying burn ing shingles made it impossible to control the fire
 board, P. O. Richer DEngle, said to- day:
 Will Issue Bonds.
 "A bill will be introduced in the Legis- lature at once to bond Duval for perhaps s90O,0 to rebuild the courthouse and the county jail The bill is being prepared. understand that a bill for the issuance of $500. 900 city bonds will be at once intro duced also O. this, ss00.000 will be used to take up the judgment debts of the city and the remainder to rebuild city build jngs.''
 The prisoners In the county jail, thirty five in number, including many for serious offenses. some capital, were marched to Riverside under heavy guard before the fire reached tienl-g glsis-Fparnng the pris- oners were taken by the sheriff to Green Cove Springs, Fernandina and St. Aii- gustine
 vaults in the court building, Their condi- tion will not known until the vault cooIs.
 The disaster has effectively obliterated the dividing line between the rich and poor and a common castrophe has made all akin. Beautiful women, wealthy yes terday. penniless today, sat on the curb ing beside the beggar, sharing alike the pitiless fate that befell them both.
 Tonight the sidewalks are thronged with homeless people. The wharfs are crowd ed with sleepers, and vehicles of all de- scriptions. Fire Chief Haney is improved tonight, and it is drought he will entirely recover
 The children of Dr. P. H. Dean, reported ac ht1r r,fcc hau been found alive. Dr. Deans injuries are slight. President Barnett of the Ma tional Bank of Jacksonville is not seri- ously hurt. There were many prostrations from heat today.
 City in Darkness.
 Jacksonville is in total darkness tonight save for the red reflection that burns in the sky in the western portion of the city, marking the vast fields of glowing embers that now and then are famed into flames. At o'clock the first trolly car was operated since noon yesterday. Later in the evning semi-schedules were main tained on the western end of Bay street and on the Siverside line.
 At o'clock additional state troops reached the city to relieve the soldiers who had been on duty for more than twenty-four hours. Vast 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 entire city cordon of soldiers and special policemen has been thrown out and at every corner soldier stands guard. Notwithstanding the great excitement under which the day has passed and the anxiety of the night, the city Is very quiet and disorder has not been reported. At a meeting this after a the running of excursion trains into the city.
 Request had been made by several planters Tor special trains to Jackson yiile, but the committee notified the rail- roads that If trains were run the excur- sionists would not be allowed to leave the trains.
 The negroes, though hungry and terror stricken, have so far shown no disposi- ton to give trouble and at o'clock the entire city is reported quiet
 The debris on the eastern end of Bay street is burning briskly, but there is no danger of the flames being spread by sparks unless the wind should become very high
 The Times Union and Citizen announces tonight the receipt of nearly 5000 con- tributed to the relief fund from cities throughout the United States.
 Many Lives Lost.
 sailboat that was at the backwards was made use of by Alfred Ball, mem Der of the Jacksonville Rifles, who lives in Springfield suburb, at third and Main streets. MT. Ball says:
 There certainly were many lives lost at that point. The shrieks and cries for help that came to my ears during the first moments of the first hours that was in the river were heartrending and awful. I was utterly helpless to aid them. I am positive at least five persons were drowned at this place.
 T got in a sailboat at Gardner's yards at o'clock. There were fourteen persons aboard. two negroes among the number. When we got into the boat every avenue of escape was cut off. We got a line to the steamer Edith and she pulled us from the dock. A moment later the line parted Two bateaux were drifting alongside and eight persons tried to get into them. In the panic both boats capsized. saw sev- eral go down and drown. Several of those who got out of the sailboat were swept under the wharf at the foot of Market street, and I think all must have per ished. l got to the wharf, and for four hours held to the piling. When I was res cued I was badly burned about the head. felt a body float against my legs and tried to lift it to the surface but failed.
 Undoubtedly there were many lives lost at the foot of Market street."
 Says Arthur Gunner of the Gunner Company: We heard the shrieks and calls for help as we steamed from the