Milford chronicle., 1901-05-10
JACKSONVILLES WOE.
Fire Played Terrible Havoc in the
Florida City.
FIFTEEN OR TWENTY ARE DEAD,
But the Number of Lives Lost VIII
Not Be Known For Several Days.
Property Loss Estimated at s12,-
100000 to s15.oOO.oOO

But the Number of Lives Los+. Uu1
Not Be Known For Several Days.
Property Loss Estimated at s12.-
100000 to s15,oOO,OOO.
Jacksonville, Fla, May 6.-The hun
ger OF 10000 homeless people was salts
ned yesterday upon the arrival of re-
lief trains and boats bringing pro-
visions from neighboring towns. Early
IN The morning a commissary was es-
tablished in the center of the CITY. and
thousands were fed during the dav.
The relief fund is growing hourly and
every mail brings offers of assistance.
It is estimated that 5000 persons
have left the city, and every outgoing
train is crowded with refugees.
Rumors of loss of life are on everv
hand. Many persons have confirmed
the report of loss Of life at the Market
street wharf, where a number of per-
sons were compelled to jump over
board. Several days must eIapse be-
fore the full death list can be made out
but according to present reports it will
reach Is or 20.
Martial law is being strictly enforced.
and the town is quiet.
The work of relief is progressing
systematically. The relief association
today adopted a constitution and
made the temporary organization per-
manent, with C. E. Garner president
sand j. R. Parrot vice president.
The following are the dead so far re-
covered:
Harry D. Bonatheau and Will Clark.
white, and an unknown negro, found
IN the river today at the foot of
Market street, where they were cut off
by the flames.
Mrs. Bornelia Thompson, widow of
the late Gen. Waddy Thompson, bones
found in ruins of Old Ladies' Home.
Martha Hagan, a negro woman.
found at Ocean and State streets.
One other unknown negro is reported
round in the river, but the report is
not confirmed.
Many carloads of provisions have
been received and are being received
daily, while cash is coming in from all
sections. From present indications
there is no fear of a famine.
The following official statement has
been issued by the relief committee:
The city of Jacksonville on Friday.
May 3, was visited by one of the most
horrible and appalling calamities that
has ever happened in any community
of modern times. About noon of that
day a fire was discovered in a small
Palmetto fiber factory in the extreme
western portion of the city. A high
wind was then blowing to the eastward
carrying the flames over the heads of
the fiTemen. The fire spread with such
rapidity that our citizens had great
difficulty in leaving their homes and
places OF business. In many cases they
barely escaped with their lives. and we
regret to say that a number were burn
ed to death or drowned in their efforts
to escape from the flames. The num-
Der at this time we have been unable
to ascertain, although five bodies have
been taken from the ruins, and from
10000 to $4,000 persons are homeless.
"The burnt area extends east and
west about two miles and north and
south varying from one-half to three
quarters of mile. In this area was
situated the Oldest and most populous
portion of the city, embracing all
classes of people, high and low. rich
and poor. The flames carried before
them homes, churches and all the pub
lie buildings save one. More than half
OF the business section was also con-
sumed. The property loss aggregated
from $12,OOO,O0O to SIS, ZOO, 900.
"All contributions of money should
be sent to A. M. Ives, treasurer, and all
supplies should be sent to Jacksonville
Relief association"
There are now several tented villages
in the city, with cots and blankets, and
a water supply in almost every village
for the sufferers. There are also sew
eral extra commissary stations in vari-
Gus parts of the city to relieve the sit
uation at the two already established.
and there is one in each village of
tents.