The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-04
is Estimated at From 10 to 5
Million Dollars.
LASTED TEf HOURS
Thirteen Hundred buildings
Went Up in Smoke.
10000 to $4,000 People We're
Rendered Homeless.
Seven Persons known to Have
Lost Their Lives.

Jacksonville, Florida, May 4-The
most disastrous fire in the history Of
this city began yesterday shortly after
noon in a small factory. started by a
defective wire, according to the best be-
lief and burned for nearly ten hours. In
that time a property loss estimated at
from 100000 to $1,000 600 was caused.
According to the city map $50 blocks
We're burned, many Of them in the heart
of the business and residence section.
The estimate of houses to the block is
ten, hence 1900 of them went up in
smoke Many Of the finest public and
private buildings were destroyed, includ-
ing hotels. theatres churches and resi-
dences. The casualties can not be ac-
curately estimated. That there win be
several seems to be we'll authenticated.
Among them was that of the fire chief
who sustained a bad fall
SEVEN LIVES LOST.
Jacksonville. Fla. May THE hot
May sun rose smoke -enshrouded over
the devastated city. The fire which
broke out yesterday at noon and aided
in its work by a southwest gale spent
its force by 9 o'clock last night. The
damage is enormous. one hundred and
forty eight blocks We're swept by the
flames. and as far as known seven per
sons lost their lives. Arep6rt is in circu-
latiOn that a party of twenty persons
driven to the docks along the St. Johns
river were forced into the water, all at
tempts at rescue by boats being futile
The river is being searched. All the
local companies of the state militia
have been on duty since midnight, and
on order of Governor Jennings the mill
tary CON panies from four cities are
speeding to Jacksonville by special
train. Many extra police have been
sworn in. and every able-bodied man
not doing duty in some capacity in the
nre-swept district is impressed into the
service.
The negroes are huddled in groups
fear of an attempt at laWlessness by
them, although not openly expressed by
the whites is the reason for the large
military force ordered here.
The fire companies from Savannah
F'ernandina, Ocala and other cities
worked the entire night on the fire but
soaking rain Will be necessary to
effectually quench the flames The
losses by the fire win not be known for
week. The path of the flames was
thirteen blocks wide and nearly two
miles long. Practically all old Jackson
vile has been DESTROYED nothing being
left but a few suburbs and Riverside
the most fashionable part of the city
1t is believed the fire is the largest in
proportion TO the size of the place that
has ever visited any city MANY fam
lilies lost libraries, pianos and household
goods after they had been moved to a
supposed place OF safety The street
car service has been at a complete
Standstil since yesterday afternoon.
The electric light circuits We're inter-
rupted and the gas plant destroyed, and
last night the city was in darkness. "A
conservative estimate places the num-
Der OF homeless people in the citV at
10000 Most of these spent the night in
the parks. on the docks, on barges and
some slept on what few belongings they
managed to save from the general
wreck.
The board of trade and other com
mercial bodies held meetings al 1920 to
take action looking to the alienation Of
the suftering 1t IS expected that an
appeal to the people of the United
States calling for aid will be issued
some time during the day. Leading
business men and Insurance agents es-
innate the total loss of property at
from ten to fifteen million dollars.
The St. James hotel which was de-
strOyed, had been closed since April 10
The loss on this building is S175.0O0.
Among the buildings destroyed are the
Emory Auditorium, Board of Trade St
James hotel Windsor hotel the Semi
mole club. the Daily Metropolis, the city
hall and market, the Gardiner buildinga
the largest Office building in the city
the Hubbard building.
Mayor Bowen said to the Associated
Press this morning. Say to the world
please, that the loss to Jacksonville is
greater than ever before inflicted by a
fire upon city of the south but her
best wealth survives in her people.
estimate our property loss at fifteen
million dollars.
There is not a hint of Iawlessness;
our people, of every race and condition,
have shown the most helpful spirit to
each other, and / cannot find words Of
commendation strong enough to express
my admiration of the work done
The progress of the fire was so rapid
and the neat SO fierce that 1T was only
the helpfulness and obedience shown
that prevented a terrible loss of life
have no doubt that the relief meeting
called by municipal authorities and
board Of trade Will be largely attended
and steps viii be taken to deal with the
situation in the most effective way"
FIREMEN GIVE UP.
AT I o'clock this morning a Gordon Of
militiamen, deputy sheriffs and police
men was thrown around the entire ire
swept district. The fire was still burn
ing hercely in many sections Of the ru-
ms but the exhausted fremen giving uD
the fight for the time being. sought rest
leaving the fire to burn itself out The
heat from the fire Is intense and tha
temperature is 80. The most fnportanr
retail portion OF the city and buildings
the entire length of Beaver street from
Davis to the creek, and over Liberty
street have been burned. This covers IA
blocks For the same distance Ashley
and Church streets have both been com
pletely biotted out When the fire reach
Cd Bridge street in its eastward course