The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-05
Relief Work Begun. Supply
Stations For Hungry.
REQUESTS FOR TENTS FOR THE HOMELESS
Relief Funds Begin Coming In. No
Official Appeal Made by Jackson
Vile For Aid. Rumors of Sew
eral People Being Drowned
in Attempting to Es-
cape the Fire.
(By the Associated Press }


Jacksonville, Fla, May 4.-Jackson-
Silles great fire which began yesterday
has burned itself out. One hundred and
forty eight blocks OF a beautiful city have
been laid waste. The loss will not be
known even approximately for week but
it is believed it will amount TO $10,oO0,oOo.
There are many rumors afioat of loss
of life. but as every undertaken in the
city was burned out, it is impossible TO
obtain an official report. One story which
is persistently reiterated is 10 the effect
that party OF men ard women driven
10 the docks by the fire, were compelled
to jump into the water and that several
Of them were drowned.
Mrs. Hogan, a negro woman, was burned
in her house and her charred remains
we're buried by friends this afternoon.
The burned district is thirteen blocks
wide and two miles long. and extends
from the ST. Johns River where II
burned ten docks, 70 the waters edge,
10 Catherine street on the east. Orange
on the north and Davis to the west. this
immense area was swept as clear as
floor.
UNDER MARTIAL LAW,
The city is under martial law and all
duty in the streets of jacksonville Some
order is being brought out of the con-
fusion jacksonville is facing the emer-
gency calmly and has organized for re-
lief work.
Ten thousand people are homeless, and
many of them left on afternoon and night
trains for st. Augustine and other coast
cities and nearby towus, while numerous
river craft took many TO little places
on the st. Johns River. Supply stations
have been established in various parts
of the city and all day they have been
thronged by the hungry. The prompt ac-
tion of Secretary of War Root in tender
ing the use of the barracks at Fort Mar
raneas near ST. Augustine, was received
with gratitude on every side. The East
Coast train leaving here at five o'clock
this afternoon carried over 1000 people
TO St Augustine. who hope TO receive
temporary shelter from the Government.
A committee was appointed at a meet
ing OF citizens this afternoon to telegraph
the Governors of various States to send
all tents they can spare 10 Jacksonville.
1t Will be weeks before anything like per-
manent shelter can be provided for the
homeless thousands and jacksonville for
some time TO come wilI be a city of
tents
A RELIEF FUND RAISED.
The relief fund raised by the citizens
of Jacksonville al a meeting this after
neon amounted TO $4,000. This was aug
mented tonight by a telegram from the
Armour Company at Chicago instructing
Mayor Bowden TO draw for 81 eco other
subscriptions are being received from
many places. The city of Jacksonville has
not yet made an official appeal for aid.
There seems to be some objection 70
this but II is based mainly on the as
sertion by many leading citizens that
Jacksonville and Florida can meet the
emergency and care for its own.
The following telegram was received
from the Governor:
Tallahassee, Fla, May 4th.
"MacWilhams, Adiutant General, Jack
sonville, Fla.
Your call for Gainesville, Orlando and
StarSe Companies approved. Have ap-
pointed /. Eugle. Broward and Rogers
special relief committee placing $4,000
ar their disposal
Signed w s. JENNINGS
Governor
Al o'clock this morning Governor
Jennings declared the city under mar
tial law.
Colonel Lowell. of the First Reg
uent, is in command of the troops.
The following troops in addition -
local companies, arrived during the day
and are on duty:
Governors Guards. Tallahassee; Co
iunbia Rifles Lake Ciry: Suwane;
Rttles, Live Oak. and Gem City Guards
of PalatNa.
Major Bradshaw, under Colonel
Lowell is in immediate command of
the trocps. The city is patrolled and
The entrances to burned districts guard
I'd by sentinels.
Military headquarters have been es-
tablished en- the vacant lot behind the
Federal postoffice building. Passes are
necessary to enter the lines in any part
OF the city.
SCENE OF DESOLAT1ON.
The suburbs of Jacksonville stood out
today like cases in the desert OF
desolation From Bridge street II
Laura a thin fringe three blocks deep
s,,ral alansr rha r.iVpI. front