The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-05
ONE LIFE KNOWN TO BE LOST
RUMORs OF OTHER CASUALTIES NOT
YET CONFIRMED.
Fire Caused by Sparks from "a CHM
ney Falling Into Pile of Moss
Scenes and Incidents.

villes 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 a week, but
II is believed IL will amount to $0.00O00).
There are many rumors OF loss of life,
but every undertaken I'm the city was
I urned out 1t is impossible TO obtain an
official report One story is that party
Of men and women. driven to 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 TO death in her house.
The burned district. thirteen blocks wide
and two miles long, extends from the st.
Johns river, where it burned the entire
cocks TO the waters edge TO Catherine
street on the east. Orange on the north
and Davis on the west. This Immense
area was swept clean of buildings.
The city is under martial law, all of the
available State militia being on duty. Order
Is already being brought out OF the con-
fusion, for Jacksonville is facing the emer-
gency calmly and has organized for relief
work OF the ten thousand people who ara
homeless many have gone TO st. Augustine,
other coast cities and places on the st.
Johns river. Supply stations established In
Variods parts Of the city have all day beer
thronged by the hungry. Secretary of War
Roots offer TO allow the use OF the fort
barracks near St Augustine received
with deep gratitude. The east coast train
this afternoon carried to st. Augustine over
two thousand people, who hope 10 receive
temporary shelter from the government.
a committee was appointed at a meeting
of citizens this afternoon TO telegraph the
Governors of various States to send here all
tents they can spare. 1t will be weeks be-
fore anything like permanent shelter can
be provided. and Jacksonville for some time
10 come will be a city Of tents. The relief
fund raised 1T a citizens meeting this
evening amounts TO $4,000 This was aug
n-ented this afternoon by telegram from
the Armour Company AT Chicago, instruct
irg Mayor Bowden TO draw on the company
for $1,000 other subscriptions are coming
from many places. though the city has not
Yet made an official application for aid
Uncrushed by disaster the people say that
Jacksonville and Florida can meet the
emergency and care for its own.
UNDER MARITAL LAW.
The following teleF an was received by
Adiutant General Williams from the Gov
ernor. Your call for Gainesville. Orlando
and Starke companies approved. Have
appointed L'Engle. Broward and Rogers
special relief committee, placing $4,000 at
their disposal" At o'clock this morning
Governor Jennings declared the city under
martial law Colonel Lowell, OF the First
Regiment is in command OF the troops.
The following troops, in addition to local
companies arrived during the day and are
on duty: Governors Guards, Tallahassee;
suwannee Rifles. Live Oak. and Gem City
Guards Palatka. Major Bradshaw under
Colonel Lowell is in immediate command
OF the troops The city is patrolled and the
entrances 10 the burned districts guarded
~ sentiuels Military headquarters have
been established in the vacant lot behind
the federal postofice building. Passes are
necessary TO enter the lines in any part OF
the city.
The suburbs OF Jacksonville stood out to-
day like oases in the desert of desolatior.
From Bridge street 10 Laura a thin fringe.
three blocks deep. stands uninjured along
the river front, but 10 the eastward. north
ward and westward OF Hemmng Park an
unbroken bed of ashes meets the eye and
gaunt chimneys rear themselves like monu-
ulents in "A forgotten city.
on every vacant lot in the territory sur
rounding the burned district families are
camped. Some had piled furniture about
them. spreading over this a blanket which
made a tent. In many cases this covering
vas only enough for the baby. Some had
brought a frying pan, some a coffee pot.
some had money 10 get bread-al were
shared in turn. During the progress of the
fire hundreds OF people moved their goods
irto the streets. but IL was impossible 10
get drays To carry the goods away. and
furniture books and bric-a-brac were
burned Or. Stout saved his library by dig
eing a hole IN his yard. in which he buried
fis books. wrapped In a blanket. This plan
was followed by several people. some OF
whom buried their trunks in the same
manner.
Drays loaded with furniture and trunks
filed the streets all day. Homeless people
slept on imrrovised beds near their furni-
ture in quarters away from the burned
district In the early hours OF the fire
many people moved their furniture dis