The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1901-05-23
RISING FROM RUINS.
STRICKEN CITY OF JACKSON
WILLIE TO BE REBUILT.
The Great Fire Which Wiped Ont 14S
Blocks, Rendered 10000 People
Homeless and Inflicted a Money Loss
of $40, 100000.

Jacksonville, Fla, is slowly arising
from the effects of the recent awful viSi-
tation, when mighty conhagration
swept over the place. wiping out l4S
blocks of buildings. inflicting monetary
loss of $40, 100000. rendering 10000 peo-
pie homeless and destitute and cntailins
casualties, the exact number of which Is
not even yet determined. Order is being
gradually evolved from the chaos which
followed the whitening disaster and I'M
der the stimulus of committees of leading
citizens the people are beginning to take
new heart.
The fire which entailed such a heavy
loss upon Jacksonville was the worst in
the history of the State. With the rapid
ity and fierceness of prairie fire sweeping
over the sun-dricd plains, or of Il forest
fire among inviting pine trees. the flames
passed over a section of the city thlr-
teen blocks wide and two miles in length.
embracing in the same consuming breath
the proudest and most substantial build
incs equally as the most unpretentious
negro dwelling Famed by strong
wind. the flames leaped into the air fo9
hundreds of feet. and bending over in
the form of archways attacked buildings
several rods away, leaving the interven-
ing structures to be consumed at Will.
Against the advance of the confiagration
ut its height mans efforts were futile.
Water turned into steam in the terrific
heat and even dynamite was powerless
to open gaps over which the flames could
not reach. Finally. like monster with
appetite satiated. the flames died down
and the most destructive fire in the his
tory of Florida became a memory OF
sorrow.
Orig II of the Fire.
The fire started a little before o'clock
in the afternoon at the plant of tho
Cleveland Fiber Company, where some
fiber drying on platform was ignited
by falling SCOT from the chimney of
negro cottage. The start was an unfor-
tunate one. for the fiber building was lit
tie more than Il tinder box and the sur
rounding buildings-the humble dwell.
ings of the negroes-were highly inflam-
mable. Right here the fire department
lost its grip on the fire. The flames quick
ly spread from the fiber plant to the ne
groes' dwellings, and soon dozen Of
the latter were masses of fire.
The course of the fire lay eastward
along Beaver, Ashley and Church streets
to Hogan's creek. dipping out Of its way
here and there TO lick up block or two.
hut ever burning with acceierating speed
and intensity. When it reached Julia
street. which runs at right angles to the
St. John river and Beaver street, it was
at its height. and so terrific was the heat
that men could do nothing but look help
lessly on. The draught created by the
intense heat carried portions of roofs,
timbers and the like high into the air,
whence they fell, blocks distant, to start
fresh frSs.
At this time the fire department began
using dynamite in blowing up houses,
hoping thereby to create spaces over
which the flames could not spread. But
their work was futile. The very air SEEM
ed to be on FIRE. Millions of sparks were
carried into the air, to descend in a fiery
rain, and buildings far in advance of the |
dynamite brigade broke into flame.
In succession the Windsor Hotel and |
the st. James hostelry were consumed |
and then followed Trinity NJ. E. Church,
the opera house and other substantial |
buildings.
When Main street was reached another |
nflammable section presented itself for |
Paint shops, with Quanti- |
les of stored oils, were numerous here |
md they burst into explosive flame. Then |
anne hardware store, containing pow |
Ter and dynamite. These exploded with |
errific force and the air was filled fer a
lime with bullets, as the flames discharg- |
d cartridge after cartridge The firemen |
we're driven away and the flames gained |
'resh energy. Down the street they |
spread with the rapidity of train Of ig
lited powder and soon FIVE blocks of Bay |
street were burning furiously. Finally |
It the corner of Bay street and Laurel |
he spread of the flames was checked.
All the churches in the city were de-
troyed. Among other notable buildings
burned are the municipal building, fire
department. building. the armory. the
)uval County court house, the Jail. the
,riminal court house and the Couaty
Clerks office.
For the reconstruction of the county |
bill has been drafted appro-
,riating 100000 and another bill pro-
-iding for the issuing of S5OO.0OO in city
'onds was introduced in the Legislature
or the reconstruction of the city build
ngs. Meantime relief has been pouring
n from Atlanta, Charleston, Detroit.
Iew York, Boston, Chicago and other
tiey.