The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-28

The Davidson block, Fourth and Jack
Son, was last night damaged by fire to
the extent Of $13O, 600. Sternberg, We'll &
Co, manufacturers and wholesale dealers
In mems furnishing goods, were the
heaviest losers. The building was a four
story brick structure and largely occu-
pied by express companies, but as the fire
old not get below the third floor their
less was small.
The origin of the fire is unknown, ex-
rept that it started in the shaft in the
middle rear of the building. Ernest D.
Babcock, VINO occupies room SO in the
building through which the shaft passes,
was working at his desk after supper
when he noticed the smell of smoke.
Turning around he saw the fire and i'm
mediately gave the alarm. The first
alarm reached the companies at 1907.
Chief Jackson arrived with the first call,
which included all the downtown COM
panies, and he soon saw that the fire
was going to be a hard one to control.
After a few moments he turned in a Ali
alarm, which called out ten engines, ali
the hook and ladder trucks, the monitor
nozzle and the geyser tower.
The first companies to arrive attacked
the flames from the rear, where they
started and were the fiercest. Their eff
forts were not enough to check them, and
soon the entire third and fourth floors
were q solid mass of flames. The build
ing was erected on old-fashioned princi-
pies, and was Veritable fire-trap, the
entire inner structure being of wood. The
fremen were ordered onto the Rothschild
building, whore it was possible to play
OF the fire at it's fiercest point.
The combined efforts of the fire depart
ment soon had effect, and at o'clock it
appeared as if the flames were completely
under control They took a squirt, how
ever, and blazed more fiercely than
ever. The department renewed its ener-
gies, and in about an hour the many
streams Of water that were being poured
in on all sides began to tell. The insur-
ance patrol worked like beavers on the
third and fourth floors covering every
thing possible, until ordered away.
blaze Was Spectacular.
The fire was a spectacular one, owing
to the infiammable condition of the in
terror of the building, and the flames for
a time were shooting skyWaTd, causing
all sorts of predictions from the by
ISLANDERS. The arrival of the hose and en-
CINE companies was seriously impeded by
street cars that rushed almost up to the
fire lines. The Selby avenue cars were
blocked sOldly to Minnesota street, s,
that 1t was not possible for tile drivers
of the apparatus to approach the scene
on Fourth street any faster than quick
walk.
II 4OOAeu lOI q time dS II IQe IRE was
so far beyond control that the walls were
likely to fall, and Chief Jackson tele-
phoned several times to the street car
company to have the power turned off,
so that if anything did occur there would
be no danger from the wires. His appeals
We're evidently not listened to, and the
motor men refused to. back away until
the fire was nearly out.
The volume of water played on the
building soon flooded the Streets and a
thin coat of ice spread out in all direc-
uOns, making progress q slow and
rather dangerous matter in the vicinity
Of the fire. AS long as the flames lit up
the scene there was a vast crowd surging
up to the fire lines, and the police mad
their troubles in keeping inquisitive per-
sons out of danger. Chief of Police
O'Connor arrived on the scene early and
took personal charge of the detachment
Of police
The flames were almost entirely con-
fined to the third and fourth floors, al
though the second floor was slightly
damaged in the rear of the building The
upper floors We're entirely gutted and
everything that was there was complete
ly lost.
The Ducas street patrol wagon was
called early in the evening, and was put
to work carrying away the packages
from the express companies. All the eX-
press company wagons were hurried 20
the scene, and carried away most of the
packages that had been consigned for
shipment. There were many spectators