Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-05-22
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, \

| JACKSONVILLE, FLA, May 8, 1901.
| Dear Mr.. Mayo: -
| You have heard of the destruction OF
| this beautiful city by the most awful fire
on record. It is but six days since the
fire, and the people have commenced bust
ness in some places. Where stood churches,
| banks, hospitals, schools, public buildings
and residences, in the space of 14s blocks
not one building is left; nothing but a
| pile of brick and stone shows where the
| city stood.
| 1t is indeed sorrowful sight, and you
| of dear old Bluehill cannot realize how
the appearance of a graveyard, with so
many chimneys standing like monuments.
Our company did not suffer great loss,
but one dock and warehouse were burned
| it was the Boston terminal, and we have
rented another dock two miles down the
river and will handle that branch of the
business all right.
There are thousands of destitute people
walking about, and we are feeding hum
dreds on the ships and will continue to do
so until all are in situation to care for
themselves. Thousands of our wealthy
people, doing business and having fine
homes here, are in the woods under can
vas tents. The ruins are covered with peo-
Pile looking for the place where once stood
their homes. No one can find the streets
unless they were acquainted with the city,
for every mark Is gone.
We have many friends, and they tell of
narrow escapes while fleeing from the
flames that make other great fires seem
almost small. Both the Odd Fellows
buildings went. do not know what the
citizens are going to do, but they are
progressive people and will soon have the
city buildings up again. Assistance is
coming from all parts of the United
States and they have the world to back
them in rebuilding the city. One man
cabled from London yesterday to COM
mence at once and clear away the wreck
age from his block and he would come by
tins first boat and rebuild as soon as pos
sible.
The people are not discouraged, and we
will see the city built up better than ever;
but as it lies before us in ruins 1t is hard
to keep back the tears that will come In
spite of all most people can do. We have
many friends among the ruined, but they
are cheerful and will begin life, in great
many instances, almost anew, for some
had very small insurance on their prop
erty.
Many were driven to the river; some
will never be found. The flames forced
them to jump off the docks, having been
driven there by the fire, which would
strike a brick or stone building and it
!! would be melted down in less time than it
takes to tell about It,
We hear people about the docks asking
each other where their houses stood, and
they will look at the ruins and shake their
heads: 81 do not know" can be heard in
| many answers. A fire in New York or
any large city would not seem to show
much with but las blocks gone, but in
this case, it has just swept the whole city
away and left nothing.
| We were scheduled to sail yesterday,
but could not get laborers to discharge
the ship, SO we have been detained day
longer. We have ship full of people
and SO many are walking about and talk
ing over the great calamity that it is really
quite difficult to get ones thoughts to-
| gether.
trust you will readily understand ths
| terrible situation Jacksonville is in, anc
1 hope and trust the people OF Bluehil
will sympathize with these poor people
Our sailor hearts go out to them in theil
hour of distress, for they are a good
worthy people and are Drawing the grea
calamity in manner worthy OF the whole
worlds sympathy. ALBERT nj. RICH.