New Ulm review., 1901-05-08
Is A SHlOINR|NG RUIN
Desolation and Distress Prevail
in the Fire-stricken City Of
Jacksonville.
MANY LIVES ARE REPORTED TO BE LOST

People Lose Their Al1.-NIilitia Rushed
to City to Prevent LawIessness-
Efforts at Relieving the Distress
Begun-Outside Cities Respond to
the Great Need.
Jacksonville, Fla, May 6.-The hot
May sun rose s1noke-enshrouded over
the devastated city. The fire, which
broke out Friday noon and was aided in
its work by southwest gale, spent its
force by nine o'clock at night. The
damage is enormous. One hundred
and forty-eight blocks were swept by
the flames and as far as known seven
persons lost their lives.
A report is in circulation that a
party of 20 persons, driven to the docks
along the ST. Johns river, were forced
into the water, all attempts at rescue
by boats being futile. The river is be-
ing searched.
Militia Being Rushed to City.
All the local companies of the state
militia have been on duty since mid
night, and, on order of Gov. Jennings,
the military companies from four
cities are speeding to Jacksonville by
special trains. Many extra police have
been sworn in and every able-bodied
man, not doing duty in some capacity
in the fre-swept district, is impressed
into the service. The negroes are hud-
died in groups in different parts of
the city and the fear of an attempt at
lawlessness by them, although not
openly expressed by the whites, is the
reason for the large military force or
dered here.
Soaking Rain Needed.
The fire companies from Savannah,
Fernandina, Ocala and other cities
| worked the entire night on the fire,
but a soaking rain will be necessary
to effectually quench the flames. The
losses by the fire will not be known
for a week. The path of the flames
was 13 blocks wide and nearly two
miles long.
Practically all old Jacksonville has
been destroyed, nothing being left
but few suburbs and Riverside the
most fashionable part of the city. It
is believed the fire is the largest in
proportion to the size of the place
that has ever visited any city.
A Distressing Feature.
A distressing feature of the con.
fagration was the loss by many fam
lilies of libraries, pianos and house
hold goods after they had been
moved to supposed place of safety.
The street-car service has been at
complete standstill since Friday aft
ernoon. The city was IN darkness.
The electric light circuits were inter
rupted and the gas plant destroyed.
A conservative estimate places the
number of homeless people in the
city at 10000. Most of these spent
the night in the parks, on the docks,
on barges and some slept on what
few belongings they had managed to
save from the general wreck.
steps to Relieve Suffering.
The board of trade and other COM
mercial bodies held meetings at 10:30
to take action looking to the allevia
tion of the suffering. 1t is expected
that an appeal to the people of the
United States will be issued some time
during the day. Leading business
men and insurance agents estimate
the total loss of property at from
$1o,o0O,ooO to $15,ooo,Oo0
The St, James hotel, which was de-
~, al Ecir A Ar,.;1
10. The loss on this building is $175,-
OO0 Among the buildings destroyed
are:
The Emery auditorium, board Of
trade, St. James hotel, Windsor hotel,
the Seminole club, the Daily Metrop-
Oils, the city hall and market, the Gar
diner building, the largest Office build
ing in the city; the Hubbard building.
Mayors Message to World.
Mayor Bowden said to the press re-
porter Saturday morning:
"Say to the world, please, that the loss
to Jacksonville is greater than ever be-
fore inflicted by fire upon city of the
south, but her best wealth survives in her
people. I estimate our loss in property at
SIS 000. coo.
-InSre Is not d nluLs OIL ldW1eSSHeSS, OUT
people of every race and condition have
shown the most helpful spirit to each
other and I cannot find words of commend
alton strong enough TO express my admira-
ton of the work done.
'.The progress of the fire was so rapid
and the heat so fierce that it was only
the helpfulness and obedience shown that
prevented a terrible loss of life. / have no
doubt that the relief meeting called by
municipal authorities and board of trade
will be largely attended and steps will be
taken to deal with the situation in the
most effective way"
His Two Children Missing.
DIR. r. FL. Dean, prominent physi-
clan, reported the loss of his two chill
dren, Helen and Francis, to the police
at noon. DR.. Dean thinks the elder of
the two, Helen, will yet be found, but
believes Francis burned to death in his
Office, where they sought safety. DR..
Dean collapsed on the street after an
all-night search, and in falling was
seriously nil1red