davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05

books. wrapped up I'm blanket. This plan was
followed by several others. some of whom buried
their trunks in the same manner.
Drays loaded with furniture and trunks filed
the streets all day. Homeless people slept on
improvsed beds near their furniture in quarters
away from the burned district. In the early
hours IF the fire many people moved their prop
erty distances Of a half mile mile. only 10
find II necessary TO move it again as the flames
encroached.
r. Z. Cleaveland. proprietor Of the CleavelaTd
Fibre Company. made the following statement
to-day regarding the origin of the fire:
Outside the factory there was a drying plat
form two hundred feet square, upon which the
moss piled after il had been ginned. Twenty
the chimney Of one of these cottages was on fire
This, however, is frequent occurrence. and
once or twice before the fibre on the drying
platform had been afire from the falling
SCOT from the chinneys Of the cottages. The
men knocked off at II 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 having
happened before no Importance was attached
TO Il, and two men seized buckets Of water and
went TO extingush the flames. But the fire by
this time had gained considerable headway
The hose was quickly brought into play. but the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
o'BRIEN on THE CAMPAIGN.

James O'Brien. former Sheriff and leader Of the
New-York Democracy an anti-Tammany Demo-
cratic organization. yesterday gave out a state
ment about the coming municipal campaign. in
which said:
A mayor of a great city like New-York should be
one emnently fitted conduct great business
enterprise a man well adapted to master the de-
tails OF the departments and exact from each and
every commissioner faithful performance or the
duties of his Office.
The recently enacted Tenement House law and
the new Excise law will revOlutiOnze the building
industry and the liquor traffic of this city The
provisions affecting immortality in tenements will
create new phase OF the social evil problem,
and its management and control will exhaust the
powers of the municipal government For this
probIern 70 he handled without gloves
conducive to the honor and welfare OF the city II
IS essential that the Mayor should be rigdly up
right man or a system of persecution and black
mail will be fnaugurated which will dwarf the so
called system OF police protection
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
POLICE BLOCK TEST CASE.
REFUSE TO ARREST WELL KNOWN
MEMBERS OF THE AUTOMOBILE
CLUB IN CENTRAL PARK.

II is beginning 70 look IL the controversy
which has existed for some time between the
owners Of automobiles and Park Commissioner
Ciausen will be settled out OF court. Members OF
the Automobile Club OF America. the leading motor
vehicle organization OF the country have felt that
the park officials in this borough were antagonistc
to the pleasure vehicle. The motor enthusi-
asts seemed think that they were expected 10
make the fight for their rights that wheel
made few years ago. and they were de-
termined TO settle the controversies quickly
possible.
When the automobile bill was passed at Albany
recently the members of the club and owners OF
vehicles generally were happy, except that the
Park Commissioner reserved the right TO regu-
late the speed OF the motor vehicles In the public
parks. Park Commissioner Clausen issued
der that automobiles in the parks must not be
greater speed than miles hour. and
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
JACKSONVILLE'S BIG LOSS
NOW FIGURED TO AMor-NT tn .po,-r
S10ppooO0
ONE HUNDRED AND FoRTY-ETGHT R1ocrs
OF THE CITY LAID wAsTEEvERY
CHURCH DESTROYED

Jacksonville. Fla. May 4-Jacksonville's great
hre' "hich began yesterday has burned itself
out one hundred and forty-eight blocks OF a
beautiful city have been laid waste The loss
VIII not be known. even approximately for a
week, but II is believed il will amount TO about
100000
Ahere are many rumOrs ahoat Of loss of life
Oul as every undertaken in the city was burned
ou'' Is impossible TO obtain an official report.
one story, which is persistently reiterated is 10
the effect that party Of men and women driven
10 the wharves by the fire. were comneIled ~
jump into the water. and that several Of them
were drowned. Mrs. Hogan. negro woman.
was burned in her house. and her charred body
was buried by friends this afternoon
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05

must slow down to three and half miles hour
when passing horse in the park driveways Out
side OF the parks in the city streets the speed
of the machines is restricted to eight miles an
hour. while on the country roads speed of fifteen
miles an hour can be made.
The members of the Automobile Club and their
friends did not care much about the seven-mile
limit as they did about going at only three and a
half miles hour when passing horse. They
argued II the later order carried out. all
automobiles would he restricted practically 10 less
than four miles an hour when in the parks. They
talked class legislation at the same time. The law
committee of the club. which is composed OF J. L.
Church and George F. Chambertn. the latter the
ex-president of the organization. consulted with
A r. Shattuck. the president. and a. c. Bostwick.
the vice-presdent. and decided to make a test case
The four men. i'm two gasOlene automobiles, left
the clubhouse in Fifty-eighth-st. yesterday morn
ing. determined get arrested If possible. and
then fight the orders of Commissioner Ciausen I'm
the courts. The machines were sent up Fffth-ave
and entered the park at Fifty-ninth-st. II was
agreed that Mr.. Bostwck should be the one to
diSobey the law and be arrested.
Mr.. Bostwck did the best that he could TO carry
police refused TO make an arrest and four disap-
pointed members of the Automobile Club had their
to a vehicle just ahead OF him. Mr.. Bostwick
Puled me levsr anu % snIt Ii paSt 1e animal 81 SOM
near, and as he did not make a move Mr.. Bostwick
have broken the law Why don't you arrest me.
The policeman made a facetious remark and turned
went on through the park to Eighty -second-st-
At this point they encountered Mounted Police
man No. 32O when the performance gone
through with again Mr.. Bostwtck appealing TO
the policeman arrest him. We violating
the law said the automObilists, and request that
be arrested" All that the policeman would
vouchsafe was. II can't do IL. you know
Later the policemen said that they had received
instructions not arrest the members Of the club
unless their nanCeuvres with the machines
horses in the park should be frightened None of
the horses were frightened The party then went
the Arsenal in the park and preferred charges
against Mounted Policeman No. $50 for neglect OF
duty in refusing TO arrest them.
Members of the club who were seen last night
said that they determined TO have
a test IF the rule is right then We should
have been arrested. said Mr.. Chamherlin- III II
i right. then Commissioner Clausen should
it that the rule Is revoked"
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
SHELTER FOR THE HoMELEss.

Washington May 4.-Secretary Root received a
telegram from the Mayor OF Jacksonville tonight
asking that the ST. Francis Barracks in that city
be put az the disposal Of the Mayor 20 house one
thousand homeless people. Secretary Root i'm
mediately sent a dispatch instructing General
Brooke in command OF the Department OF the
East to direct the officer in charge OF the barracks
20 grant the people OF Jacksonville every facility
possible The Secretary received a dispatch during
the day asking for a large supply of tents the
Mayor indicating that the people OF the city were
without shelter The Secretary gave orders to
have 100 hospital tents sent at These tents
at ST. Asaphs Va, just across the river from
this city. and Philadelphia. They will go for
ward the first available trains.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
~. COMMITTEE OF 100 ORGANIZES
r FULTON CUTTING ELECTED CHAIRMAN
SENTIMENT FOR UNION

The Committee OF One Hundred OF the Citizens
Union met last evening in the headquarters at
No. Union Square. and organized r Fulton
Cutting was elected unanimously as the chair
man of the committee. He has been the chair
man OF the central city committee OF the union
Ludwig Nissen. OF Brooklyn. was elected vice
chairman and Thomas A. Fulton was chosen
secretary OF the committee.
The committee talked for two or three hours
over plans for work, and II was decided TO au-
thorize Mr. Cutting to appoint an executive
committee OF twelve 10 make recommendations
Mr. Cutting will appoint the committee IN rev
days after consultation with some of the other
leaders In the organization. Another meeting
OF the committee will be called later on the
recommendation of the executive committee
The sentiment expressed at the meeting last
evening in favor OF union with all other anti
Tammany organizations for work in the munich
pal campaign seemed to be general II was said
that nothing would be done in the way or Sc
Iecting candidates for office until other orSanlza-
tiOns had been consulted.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
sorGHr TO STEAL HIS OWN CHILD

Erie Penn May 4-Danie Russel. OF Cleveland.
made an attempt steal his child In the streets
of Erie to-day and precpitateG riot In which over
ore hundred and fifty persons took part They
forcibIv took the child away from him. and he was
hurried 10 the police station Just after the child
was born eleven years ago. it placed in charge
of RusseI's sister. Mrs James Mahaney. of this
CITY This morning the child sent TO market
Coming back grabbed at her arm. She ran
and caught a car Russell chased the car four
blocks and caught II. The little one escaped from
him and he followed In Fifth-st. for three blocks
when he again caught her. A crowd of men and
women fnterfered. and only the arrival OF sauad
OF police saved him from injuries Bertha is 5ack
at her home. and the case will be fought IN the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05

the Jacksonville fire. and asking for details OF
immediate requirements. The kilograms we're
signed by Abram 5. Hewitt Alexander z. Orr.
John Clafiin. Charles Stewart Smith John D. Grim
minis and William F. King.
The association will form committee TO take
action relieve the suffering I'm Jacksonville.
The Galveston Relief Committee OF the associa-
tIon Will this committee. Contributions can
be sent 70 John D Crimmins. treasurer OF the
committee the Merchants Association of New
York The committee will meet at II a. m to-
morrow at the rooms Of the association.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
BELIEVE LIVES WERE LOST IN RIVER.
STATEMENTS OF MEN WHO ESCAPED-ONE
VESSEL SAVED SIXTY PERSONS.

Jacksonville. Fla. May IA sailboat that was
at the boatyard was made use of by Alfred Ball.
a member of the Jacksonville Rifles, who lives
in Springfield suburb. al Third and Maine
SITS Mr.. Ball says:
There certainly were many lives lost that
point The shrieks and cries for help that came
TO my ears during the first moments of the
four hours that was in the river were heart
rending and awful was utterly helpless TO
aid any am positive that at least nve per-
sons were drowned at that place.
I got in a sailboat at Gardner's yard at >
O'Clock There about fifteen persons
aboard two negroes among the number. When
we got into the boat every avenue Of escape was
cut OF We got line to the steamer Edith. and
she pulled US from the wharf. A moment later
the line parted Two bateaux were drifting
alongside and eight persons tried TO get into
them In the panic the boats capszed I
several go down and drown. Several OF those
who got out OF the sailboat were swept under
the wharf az the foot Of Aarket-st.. and think
all must have perished. got 10 the wharf. and
for four hours held 20 the piling. When ! was
rescued I badly burned about the head.
felt 9 body foat against my legs. and tried to
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
INSURANCE COMPANIES HEAVY LOSSES.
NO ACCURATE REPORTS THIS FAR RIFT
ESTIMATES PLACE THE TOTAL
IN THE MILLIONS

The losses which will fall on the FIVE insurance
companies result of the jacksonville fire were
reported yesterday to range between 100000 and
100000 for the total
Most of the companies whose representatives
were seen yesterday by Tribune reporters said that
il too early yet to estimate their losses with
exactness. Up to midnight few had received
dispatches from their local agents which at all
specified what amount Of property had been burned
what the exact area covered by the con-
hagration.
The Hartford company. however. is said TO have
borne the heaviest loss. and from the information
that could be gathered yesterday is expected that
the loss To this company will amount to more than
100000. This is explained by the fact that only
short time ago the Hartford reinsured the whole
business done by the London and Lancas shire com
pany in this country. well having a joint in
terest in the business Of the New York fire under
writers.
Another company which suffered heavily is the
Norwich Union, which is reported 10 have lost
$4,000. Other companies that suffered loss aggre-
eating possibly 10000 are the Queen of
America, Continental. Phoenix. German American
Greenwich. Williamsburg city. Westchester and
Home. of this city and the Royal. Sun, Liverpool.
London and Globe. Commercial Union Manchester
and Britsh-America, of foreign capitalization.
At the Office of the Home Fire Insurance Com
pany the secretary said:
mate OF loss. do not believe that this M
pany will lose more thar $4,000
Another insurance man said:
believe N2 900 liberal estimate OF the
loss property Most OF the buildings burned
large and costly buildings were DESTROYED but /
think that my estimate will cover all losses.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
RAISING RELIEF FUNDS.

Atlanta, Ga. May IA trainload Of provisions
clothing and other articles needed at Jacksonville
left Atlanta tonight for the stricken city. With
the train went fifteen from Atlanta a special
committee 10 distribute the articles sent from this
city. Several thousand dollars already has been
subscribed to a relief fund opened by The At
lanta Journal
Nashville Tenn. Nav 4-''The Nashville Banner
has authorized the Mayor OF Jacksonville to draw
for $1,000, subscribed by citizens of Nashville
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
ArSTR4LI4y MAIL HELD orrP

The Australian mail for Europe did not arrive in
time yesterday TO be sent forward the Lucania.
II viii be taken by the ST Paul. of the American
Line Wednesday. The mail. some 250 sacks
reached San Francisco on April 30 on the steam
ship Sierra IL was transferred at TO the
Southern Pacific Limited, which was held thirty
minutes to allow the transfer.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
FIRZ CUTS SHORT WEDDING TRIP.

Toledo Ohio, May Frank L. Bowen. proprie-
tor Of the Windsor Hotel al Jacksonville. Fla.
married 10 a Bucyrus girl yesterday. Just after
the ceremony dispatch telling OF the destruction
OF the hotel was handed him The wedding
Journey cut short.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
APPEALING FOR ASSISTANCE.

Washington May 4-The following telegram off,
cally reporting the Jacksonville fire and appealing
for help, was received to-day the Postohice De
partment:
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05

lift it 10 the surface. but failed. Undouotedly
there were many lives lost at the foot OF Mar
ket-st.
Arthur Gunner of the GUNNER Lumber CON-
pany. told the following:
We heard the shrieks and calls for help as We
steamed from the wharf at the last minute.
We heard number of persons were IN perm on
the wharf. and made for the pier again A SAIL
boat was cornered in the docks. Young Coxset-
ter, OF St Augustine, swan TO the steamer
Edith, and we gave him a line The line elther
parted or was burned. In the same instant
both steamer and boat were enveloped IN Gense
smoke. We got glimpse of the sailboat drlrt-
ing lnshore and then disappeared in the names.
AS the Edith steamed toward mldcnahllei 10
escape we heard agonizing cries for help Ihere
Is no doubt but that all in the boat sunereo
frightful fate.
The officers and crew OF the Edith report that
they saved sixty persons who had jumped into
the river to escape the flames
TO GIVE AID TO SUFFERERS.
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION WILL FORM
COMMITTEE FOR RELIEF WORK.
The Merchants Association has sent teegrams TO
the Governor of Florida and the Mayor of Jackson
New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
Jacksonvlne. -. May 4. Sd.

Jacksonville. Fla. May T. 1901.
Postma ST General. Washington d &.
Three-fOurths OF the residence and business por-
tion Of the city proper destroyed by the great fire
here yesterday. The postotfce was in much dan
ger at one time but was uninjured. Great suffer
ing will ensue. and assistance shoEld be sent the
city. as thousands are homeless and without means
OF support DENNIS EiAN.
Postmaster.
Acting Postmaster-GeneraI johnson Immediately
sent the following reply:
Washington. May ! 1901
Postmaster Egan, Jacksonville Fla
Thanks for telegram respecting safety OF post
once ana mail in great fire Regret sincerely suf-
ferng caused by this calamity. Your appeal for
AID Tor the sufferers Will be made public through
the press. ". II. JOHNSON.
Acting POstma General.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-31

Representative Holcomb has given
notice of bill to increase the amounts
of the Communication taxes raid by the
railroads running through this State.
Tho original bill imposing tax upon
the passenger traffic of railroads in
Delaware provided for tax OF 10 cents
upon each passenger carried through
the State. Subsequently, In lieu Of
this 10 cents per passenger tax, the
communication system of fixed amount
per annum was established, and has
continued since
The bill Of Representative Holcomb
will largely increase the amounts here
tofore paid rs Communication taxes, as
follows: Philadelphia, Wilmington &
Baltimore Railroad Co.. 100000 an
nually instead of $4,000 annually, as
at present; Delaware Railroad Go.
$50, 900 annually instead of SO, 900 as at
present, with a proviso that the annual
tax shall be $4,000 IL certain conces-
sions are made; Wilmington g. Northern
railroad 1000 annually instead of $3.50
annually, as at presents; Delaware,
Maryland g. Virginia railroad 50, 200
annually instead of $3.50.
The total increase provided by this
bill is sl02, 500 annually. an increase so
radical that the opposition of the rail
roads, particularly the Delaware rail
road, where the increase is from SO, 600
to $50, 600 per annum, can naturally be
expected.
One thing that the members of tho
Legislature can expect is that no
matter what tax may be imposed upon
the railroads, the travelling public will
be called upon to pay it. When the
original tax of 10 cents per passenger
was imposed, the railroad companies at
once increased the rate for tickets be-
tween all stations in this State 10 cents
each. This prompt action soon led to
the compromise on the Communication
system of taxation, whereupon the
10:cenG increase on all tickets was
largely reduced, and the people were
the gamers thereby.
Reasonable taxation OF railroad cor
porations is but right and proper, but
excessive taxation of any Kind will
have to be borne by the travelling
public. The Legislature should bear
this Potent fact in mind when dealing
with the subject.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-31
BILLS TO Be INTRODUCED.

Dover, Jan 30. -Representative Shall
CROSS will introduce an act providing
that the reed bird season shall begin
on August 25th, six days earlier than
at present, making it correspond with
the New Jersey season.
Representative Monaghan will intro
duce, on behalf Of the Labor League,
an act providing that articles manu-.
featured at the New Castle County
Workhouse shall not be put on the
market at less than the market prices.
Representative Clark will introduce
an act appropriating 500 to Edward M.
Fowler, late insurance commissioners.
The amount is due Mr.. Fowler on
account of salary. When he thought
OF satisfying the claim, he discovered
that his Office funds were exhausted.
Representative Layton will introduce
an act requiring the Levy Court OF
Sussex county TO pay the town OF
Bridgeville $500 annually, instead of
$3.50.
Representative Robertson will intro.
duce an act authorizing owners and
agents OF houses to make forcible entry
in cases where rent is in arrears and
possession is refused. A similar act
was killed two years ago.
Representative Hardesty will intro
duce an act permitting oystermen to
take oysters from Murderkill and st.
Jones' Rivers between October lst and
May LIST, 10 days later than at present,
and resembling the privilege of citizeps
to take oysters for home consumption
10 days before oystermen can catch.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-31
IN MEMORY Of WILLIAM 7. PORTER.

The Water Commission Pays a Tribute TO
Its Former President.
The Water Commission, at its weekly
following resolutions on the death OF
William 4. Porter:
session Tuesday afternoon, adopted the
whereas, Il is with feelings of personal
grief that the members of the Board OF
Water Commissioners learn of the death on
january 2lst, 1901, at the dawn of the new
century, of our most beloved president,
William L. Porter; therefore,
Resolved, That we extend to his hereaved
family our sincere coincidence and heartfelt
sympathy, realizing that he was equipped
by MIXTURE with a body of strong, manly
proportions, mind of great power, and d
heart with noble and generous impulses, he
has reached by sheer ability and character
the easily won position of leader among
his fellow men; and the highest encomium
that we can pass upon him is that he
measured up by fulfilling his entire duty as
a citizen.
Resolved, That, as president of the Water
Commission, he developed a fame that will
doubtless remain forever unequaled. A
new dignity and power was developed, new
standards were erected, the commission
became real, vital, and IN sense supreme,
1t was the work OF that commission and, in
an especial sense, the work of William T.
Porter to lay the foundations and rear the
frame work of new kind of management
in the municipal water supply. He domi-
mated the commission, not wilfully, but by
sheer mastery of his extraordinary mind.
His fairness and judicial temper kept him
from becoming In any sense partisan or
an advocate. The clearness of his analysis
enabled him to exercise discriminating
and sound Judgment in which his associates
learned to trust
Resolved, That copy of these resolutions
be sent TO the family of the deceased
Board OF Water Commissioners.
Alfred Belts, who offered the resoIu.
tions, is acting president Of the board.
No action has yet been taken towards
naming a successor to Mr.. Porter.
The trustees Of the FIRST Swedish
Baptist Church requested that the
annual charge for water service on the
property be reduced from $40 TO SIS, but
IL 10 on meter service and $40 is the
hence the request could not
be granted.
Water service will DO installed at the
plant of the Delaware Button Co.,
which will require a good deal Of
water.
The balance in bank was reported TO
To SAL, 1884. 10. The weakly payroll Of
5000. 10, and the monthly payroll OF S233
were uasged