The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-07
THE JACKSONVILLE FIRE
coNTINUEp FROM FIRST PAGE.)

hahn as we steamed from the wharf at
the last minute. We heard a number
NJ persons were In peril on the wharf
and made for the pier again A sail
boat was cornered In the dock. Young
Cox Setter. Of St. Augustine. swan to
the steamer Edith and we gave him a
line. The line either parted or was
burned. In the same incident both
steamer and boat were enveioped In
dense smoke. We got a glimpse OF the
sail boat drifting In shore n then
disappeared in the flames. As the
Edith steamed towards mid-channe 10
C we heard agonizfng cries for
help. There Is nc doubt but that ali
in the boat suffered a frightful fate
The officers and crew OF the Edith
report hat they saved sixty persons
who had jumped into the river to es-
cape the flames.
AID FOR THE SUFFERERS
The Times Union and Citizen an
nounce tonight the receipt OF $4,000
contributed 10 the relief fund from
cities through out the United States.
Newport News. Va. May "A
meeting of the Newport News Business
Association has been called in aid or
the Jacksonville sufferers. A plan for
raising the city's contribution to the
sufferers relief fund will be mapped
out at this meeting.
New York. May 4-The merchants
association OF this city has telegraphed
to Governor Bloxham and the mayor or
Jacksonville expressing sympathy with
the people of Jacksonville in their dis
tress and asking for a statement or
Immediate necessities The association
will form a committee to receive sub
scriptions for the relief OF the destitute.
THE APPEAL FOR AID.
Washington. May 1.-The following
telegram officially reporting the Jack
onville fire and appealing for help was
received today at the possoffice depart
ment:
Jacksonville. Pia., May l.
Postmaster General. Washington. DC:
""Three-fourths OF the residence and
business portion OF the city proper were
destroyed by h great fire here yes
terday. The postoff1ce was in much
DANCE at one time, but was uninjured.
Great suffering will ensue and assist
ance should DC sent the city, as thou
sands are homeless and without means
of support.
DENNIS EGAN.
Postmaster"
Acting Postmaster General Johnsoa
Immediately wired the following reply:
Washington, d. c., May l.
Postmaster Egan,. Jacksonville. Fla:
Thanks for telegram respecting
safety of ~postoffice and mail in. great
fire. Regret sincerely suffering caused
by this calamity. Your appeal for aid
for the sufferers will be made public
through h press.
"WILLIAM JOHNSOn,
Acting Postmaster General"
Surgeon General Wyman is sending
tonight a carload of tents for the fire
sufferers.
Washington, May 4.-3ecretary Roof
received a telegram from the mayor
of Jacksonville to~nightAasking that the
St. Franci barracks in that city be
put at the disposal OF the may
or, to house 1000 homeless people
Secretary Root immedias ely sent a
dispatch to General Brooke in COM
mand of the department. Of the east,
to direct the officer in charge OF. the
barracks to grant the people Of Jack-
sonviIle every facility possible.
The secretary received a dispatch
during the day asking for q large SUD-
ply Of tents, the mayor. indicating that
the people of the city we're without
shelter. He gave orders to have 1sovo
hospital tents be sent at once. These
tents are at St. Asaphs,. Va, just
across the river from this city n n
Philadelphia They will 80: orwar
on the first available traiEx.