Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-10

 fire has swept through Paterson, and in it's desolate wake are the embers and ashes of property valued in pre- hminary estimates at S10.O00o00. Ii burned it's way through the business section of the city and claimed as its own majority of the finer structures devoted to commercial, civic, educa- tional and religious use as well as scores of houses. There was but small tribute of life and injury to the con fagration, but hundreds were left homeless and thousands without em, ploymelt.
 4 relief movement for the care of those unsbeltered and rnproyided for has already been organized, and May or John Hinchclife said that Paterson would be able to care for her own without appealing to the charity of other communities and states. The great manufacturing plants of the place are safe, and the community temporarily dazed by the calamity has already commenced the work of reor- ganizatio and restoration.
 The fire came at midnight and was only checked after q desperate fight that lasted until late Sunday after noon. Every city and town within reach of Paterson sent firemen and ap- paratus to the relief of the threatened city. and it took the united efforts of them all to win the battle. A northerly gale gave the confagration it's impetus and carried it's burning brands to kin dle the blaze afresh at other points. The frenlen made stand after stand before the wall Of fire. but were repeat. edly driven back, and when victory came to them they were grimed and exhausted.
 4 partial list of the properties de stroyed is as follows:
 Public Buildings.-Cfty hall. Public library. old city hall, police station, No. I engine house, patrol stables. high school and school No. 15.
 Churches. - First Baptist, Second Presbyterian, Park Avenue Baptist, St Marks Episcopal and St. Joseph's Ro. man Catholic.
 Banks.-First National, Second Ma. tional partially), Paterson National Silk City Trust, Hamilton Trust and Paterson Trust.
 Clubhouses. Young Mems Christian association, Knights of Columbus. Pro gross club, St. Joseph's hall and Ham nton club.
 Office Buildings building I,11f15inr NTor11,oIJ c. PaIT,c Cobr building, Old Town Clock, Old Kinne building and Stevenson building.
 Telegraph Companies.-Wes Un ion and Postal Telegraph.
 Theater.-The Garden.
 Newpapers.-The Evening News and Sunday Chronicle.
 Stores. - Quackenbush x Co, dry goods; Boston store, dry goods; Globe store, dry goods; National Clothing company, Rents drug store, Kinsilla's drug store, Muzzy's hardware and gen eral merchandise, Marshall & Ball clothiers; John Norwood, paints Oberg's grocery. Wertendyke's grocery P. Fl. & W. G. Shields, grocers; "Tht Paterson" dry goods; Jordan's piano store, Sauter & Co.,, pianos; Feder McNair, shoes; Zendler's confectionery Lappin's tea store, Ragowski's mil iinery, Brohal & Mueller, shoes; c. B Beach, automobiles; A1orehead & Son clothiers; Paterson Gas and Electric company, Skye's drug store and Mack lntosh drug store.
 An estimate made from 8 general in spection of the smoldering ruins plac ed the number of dwellings and apart ment houses destroyed at 800 and tht number of families left without shelter at 1000 A re-estimate when ordel succeeds confusion may alter these fig ares.
 The fire began its work of far reaching destruction at the powel house of the Jersey City, Hoboken ant Paterson Traction company, whicl fronted on Broadway and extended : block to the rear on Van Houten street It was in the car shed that it com menced, and it was burning fiercel, when one of the employees detected it It was leaping through the roof, ant the gale was lifting it in forks anC swirls when the fire apparatus cam' changing into Broadway, Main ant W d4 E1OQ(eu StIGelS. l ue 4lG1uGu tk1cs ko hem it in. but it speedily crossed Van Houten street in one direction Main street in another and gaining vigor as it went. burned unchecked down into the business district.
 What started the fire Is not certain but 1t Is thought one of the feed wire running into the car barns was respon ssble. From the car barns the fame Eeaped to other buildings close by, ant these were burned before the first cal fremen reached the scene. Inside O two hours the fire reached Main street This was the critical point of the fire The fremen sought to hold 1t ant failed.
 From Main street to Paterson streei between Van Houten and Marke streets, there is but little left On tn block bounded by Main, Washington and Market streets moi single hu5ld