The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-05-09
JACKSONVILLE FIRE=SWEPT
Florida Metropolis Suffers Untold
Loss From Raging Flames.

south, were consumed in an incred-
IDLY short time. The opera house fol-
lowed next, and then row upon row OF
elegant residences were offered up to
the Unsuitable fire feud. When the
viaduct leading over the marshes
of Hogan's creek to East Jackson
Vile was reached it was plain that the
Ii NIT of the progress of flames west
ward had been reached. The hope of
the people was that the worst was over,
but, as far as the money value OF the
damage was concerned, the worst was
to come. Just as the material for the
flames was apparently consumed, q
shift in the wind sent o roaring
sea of flames southwark toward the
river. Then it was beginning to dawn
on the minds of the un:ortunates who
had refugeed to the riverside that they
were in danger of being cut off and
sohocated. A rush was made for the
South Jacksonville ferry, and hum
6red sought refuge on the other shore.
Then came the most thrilling scene
of the entire day. The flames
caught the freight warehouses of the
Atlantic, Valdosta and Western rail-
road and began from there on its
backward march. Slowly but surely
it ate it's way against the wind, taking
either side of Bay street until it reach
ed Jones' boat yard. The wholesale gro
Gerry store of the F. & H. Bowling
Company, Muller & Co. and dozens
of smaller concerns were wiped out.
While the flames failed to cross the
open space known as Jones' boat yard.
a new danger threatened. The flames
swept down in the rear of the United
States hotel, and that with the Law
exchange was doomed. Meantime the
county courthouse caught fire and an
other splendid edifce was soon total
wreck.
From the United States hotel the
flames again jumped across the street
and the line Of march was taken up
again only to be checked when the
last building near Mccoy and Hogan's
creek had been destroyed.
Among the houses that had sue
cumbed to the flames on Bay street
were the Mohawk block, the Gardner
building, Furchgott's mammoth dry
goods house, Benedict & Pollak's
wholesale dry goods house, Chris
tie Drug Company; McAllister,
wholesale liquors, Cohen Bros,
dry goods; r. d. Horsen, dry
goods; Iseman & Skinner, wholesale
grocers; I. E. Baird, paints; W. A.
Bours, hay and grain; F. NJ. Bowling,
wholesale grocer; Clausson, wholesale
grocer; Florida Hardware Company;
United States hotel: E. F. Clark's
furniture house; Henry Clark, carpets:
D. E. Cooper, furniture; lettings /
Reichard, furniture; Harkisheimer,
grocer; estate of McNeery, wholesale
grocers; Coleman, tailor; dozen drug,
retail grocery, millinery and other
stores; Sumner, Wholesale butter and
cheese store.
The hotels destroyed included the
Windsor. st. James, Placide, United
States, Girard, Glenada and Oxford.
During the time the fire was raging
the entire population of Jacksonville
was abroad. Most of them were en-
gaging in fighting flames or in striving
to remove to place of safety their own
belongings. Every wagon and cart
that could be found was pressed into
service and these, heavily laden with
all sorts of furniture and personal
property of every description, were
passing in long line across the river.
The terrors of the fire were added
to by large number of drunken men.
The authorities, however, sent around
mounted police, armed with carbines,
and the saloons were all closed, and
the demon that was rapidly being
aroused in a disorderly element was
kept do En.
. The military companies were ordered
out, and the entire force of police,
many men mounted. was on duty, their
carbines slung across heir backs.
Iooting was feared, and it was in
dulged IN to a certain extent. The
efforts of the soldiers and of the police,
however, were in the main, successful
in preventing scoundreis from taking
advantage IF the great disorder that
prevailed on every side.