The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-05
EXODUS FROM JACKSONVILLE.
Many of the Homeless Leave For St Angus
tine and Other Coast Towns.
THE CITY PLACED UNDER MARTIAL LAW

but to the eastward, northward and
westward of Hemming Park an un-
broken bed of ashes meets the eye in
which gaunt chimneyS rear themselves
like monuments in forgotten city.
On every vacant lot in the territory
surrounding the burned district faml-
lies are camped. Some had piled furni-
ture about them, spreading over this
a blanket which made tent. In MANY
cases this covering was only enough
for the baby. Some had brought fry
ing pan, some a coffee pot, some had
money to get bread--all We're shared
in turn. During the progress of the
fire hundreds of people moved their
goods into the streets, but it is inn
possible to get drays to cart the goods
away, and furniture, books and bric-
a-brac were burned up.
DR.. Stout saved his library by dig
ging a hole in his yard, in which he
buried his books. wrapped up in a
blanket. This plan was followed by
several people, some buried their
trunks in the same manner.
Draws loaded with furniture and
trunks filed the streets ali day. Home
less people slept on improvised beds
near their furniture quarters away
from the burned district In the early
hours of the fire, many people moved
their property distances of a half mile,
or mile, only to find it necessary to
move it again, as the flames encroached.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
E. L. Cleaveland, proprietor of the
Cleaveland Fibre Company, made the
following statement today regarding
the origin of the fire:
"Outside the factory there is dry
in" platform two hundred feet square,
upon which the moss is piled after il
has been ginned. Twenty feet away
there are twenty negro cottages and the
chimney Of one of these cottages was
on fire. This, however, is a frequent
occurrence, and once or twice before
the fibre on the drying platform had
been set afire from the falling SCOT from
the chimneys of the cottages. The
men Knocked off at II O'clock for dir
ner and We're lying around in the shade,
when one of them discovered that from
the middle of the pile Of the moss
smoke was issuing This having hap
pened before no Importance was at
tached 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 hose was
quickly brought into play, but the fire
got away from the men and the alarm
had 10 be sent in.
There is no fire in the building. the
factory being worked with electricity
and it is TWO months since the boilers
were in use.
Every effort that could be made TO
put the fire cut was made, but the strong
wind and the dryness of everything was
too much for the men at the factory, and
when the department reached the scene
the pine buildings and the flying shin
giles made it impossible TO control the
fire"
Chairman OF the County Commissioners
Board Porcher l. Engles, said today:
"A bill will be introduced in the Leg
ss'at ture al once to Bond Duval for per-
haps 100000 to rebuild the court houses
and the county pail. The bill is being
prepared.
Il understand that bill for the is
suance of $500 000 city bonds will be at
once introduced also. OF this $500, 900 will
be used TO take up the judgment debts
OF the city and the remainder to rebuild
city buildings
The prisoners in the county pail. thirty
five in number. including many for seri-
| Gus offenses, some capital were marched
| TO Riverside under heavy guard before
the fire reached them. This morning the
prisoners were taken by the sheriff 10
Green Cove Springs Fernandina and ST.
Augustine.
The county records were placed in the
vaults in the court building. Their con
dition will not be known until the vault
cools.
The disaster has efsectually obliterated
the dividing line between the rich and
poor and common catastrophe has made
all akin. Beautiful women, wealthy yes
terday, penniless today, sat on the curb
ing beside the beggar sharing alike the
pitfless fate that befell them both
| Tonight the sidewalks are thronged
with homeless people. The wharfS are
/ crowded with sleepers and every availa-
| BILE craft in the harbor has been made
| into temporary hotel.
| Religious services will be held tomor-
! row in the omen air. Not a city church
/ remains standing, Fire Chief Haney is
/ improved tonight and il is thought he
will entirely recover
The children of DR.. p H. Dean, report
/ ed as burned or missing this morning
1 have been found alive. DR.. Deans in
/ iuries are slight.
President Barnett. of the First Ma
tional Bank OF Jacksonville. is not seri-
ously hurt. There were many prostra-