The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-06-07
"WHIRLWIND OF FIRE.
Gratitude for MorFistcwn Gifts. Every
Day Life Since Calamity.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, June l.

OOHLAN HOUSE,
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, June l.
Surely one of the events of this new
century, and one that can never be eff
faced from the minds of those who wit
messed it, is the awful fire of May 3rd
when our beautiful city of Jacksonville
was so nearly destroyed. Gould those
who have ever been here ride over the
burnt district now, as the distance is
too great to walk, for blocks and blocks
they would not find enough left standing
to help them locate where they were
Scarcely tree is left to furnish a bit OF
shade, and this southern sun beats down
pitilessly on brick and mortar, and on
all who attempt to work with it. Though
1T costs money and takes time, buildings
can be replaced, and sidewalks can be
repaired, but what can replace our beau
tiful trees, many of which have given
shade and comfort for more than one gen
GRAFTON The ''whirlwind of fire." as il
is called here, in its fury licked up the
great live-oak, magnolia and other beau
tiful trees.
Although the fire started on our street
and but three blocks north of us, BoyIan
Home escaped, as the wind, which car
1ICQ LILO AdLAC5 W SO
many others, saved us. For several
hours anxious hearts watched, and
steady minds planned what should be
done, in case the path of destruction
led this way; but, as during all the
years of its existence, through pestilence
and storm, Gods protecting care has
been over our Home, we feel that again
He has cared for us most wonderfully.
"ls Boylan Home safe ~ was asked us
many times on the streets by those who
knew not where to go, and with I'M
speakably thankful hearts we replied,
eyes, go out there"
Every place was full-yard, laundry,
piazzas, school house and cottage, and
teachers and girls were busy ministering
to the wants of those who had lost their
all.
The city was Immediately placed I'M
der martial law, troops being called in
from different parts of the State; but to
the credit of both races it can be truth
fully said that such order has prevailed
since the calamity happened it seemed
needless to enforce it longer, and the
soldiers have been gone. Our nurse and
some of our teachers had soon visited
the fields, and found hundreds of most
pitiful cases of suffering. Soon after
midday provisions were at the Home,
many hands assisting in getting it done
up in parcels for distribution, ana soon
a two-horse team was at the door. Three
of the teachers, accompanied by a ply
stefan, who was on The commissary
board, carried out and personally dis
tributed two such loads, while lines Of
people stood in the yard at the Home
till after dark receiving the same help
from teachers and workers there. Re
lief tents are established now in differ
ent parts of the city for both colored
and white,an "rations" and clothes are
given out daily. Hundreds can be seen
In the line waiting their turn, and it re-
luires hours of standing to be served.
But there are hundreds of others in Just
as great need, who, for different reasons,
cannot get help in this way, and it is to
those we reach out so far as we can.
Oh, what sight this city is now
Hemming or st. James Park, so beauti-
full and attractive but short time ago,
with its lovely palms AID flowers, its
fountain playing continually, is now
hot, shadeless square, filled with white
tents, being the headquarters of the re-
lief committee. Clusters of tents are
also seen here and there, on lots where
the debris has been cleared away suffi.
emily to pitch Them and in the business
part shanties have been put up in the
most hasty manner of undressed boards,
and often funny signs appear upon
them announcing that different firms
have opened business there. If you go
about on the edge of the city you will
find in the open lots camps of fifty tents
filled with people, and you wonder how
they can get along there at ALL The
city furnishes the tents and cots, but it
takes more than these to even exist 1t
surely takes stout hearts and strong faith
in God to pass through such disasters as
this. But help is now coming into the
city in generous measure. The demands
of the first few days were so urgent.
that know Boylan Home teachers sift-
ed their wardrobes pretty thoroughly.
and gave for immediate relief almost
more than they could spare. Doubtless
hundreds OF others in the city did the
same thing.
Letters have been sent, but | want
here to thank most heartily all the Nor
friends who have remembered
us so promptly and with such open
hands and hearts in this great time of
need. wish could record for them in
vivid language the experiences of one
day here. The appeals of yesterday for
instance were most touching, and the
ability!to supply the requests of many
from the Morristown boxes and barrels
has given us all great pleasure Soon
after breakfast word came to Miss Ben
son of the death of a woman out near
the Long House, and ''could she come
out and bring some things to bury her
IN. A bundle as nearly suited to the
demand as could be found was made up
and taken out there. Others waiting ia
the hall, and on the piazza, were attend
ed to, when Mrs. II. called with lady,
to see if any black clothes could be
found to fit her at all. Her husband had
died, and the wanted to leave with his
remains on the evening train One of the
black hats so lately taken from a box,
seemed sent for her, so we'll did it fit
her, and black dress being found that
did the same, her wants were relieved,
and she left. ''Grandma wants to know
If you can give her a sheet. pillow
case and a towel, " said Lizzie q. to me
as l started over to dinner. for every
thing got burned;" and so a bundle with
more than these necessit e was made up
and sent to the gentle, refined. old lady
who had made this modest request. Bar
rels have come to all the teachers and
helpers, and all contribute that which
best meets the demand.