The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-21
A HEAP OF RUINS.
Exposition Building Of Texas
Fair Association Burned.

Dallas, Tex, July N.-Fire broke out in
a corner of the large exposition building
at the state grounds Sunday morning The
buildings of the fair association were all
frame structures and the fire burned rap
IDLY In half an hour the exposition
building was a. heap of ruins The music
nall annex, with seating capacity of
5000, was next attacked by the flames and
totally consumed. Sparks were carried to
the bench show and the poultry structure
was soon swept up by the flames. The
bench show building was only slightly
damaged
The exposition building, the music hall
and the poultry building contained many
thousands of dollars worth of property
mat was to have been used in the fair
and exposition to be held in October and
November next All of it was destroyed.
the loss in the exposition building was
particularly heavy, as nearly every lead
ing mercantile, manufacturing and gener-
al industrial enterprise in Dallas, as well
as many other parts of the state, had ex-
hibits stored there. The state officials
estimate the loss to be In excess of
$l0a000 Counting individual losses and
those In the association 1t is probable the
aggregate will come nearer to S150OOO
The State Fair association estimates its
insurance at approximately $50 900. Insur-
ance companies hesitated to write risks
on the property. Most of the policies writ
ten were in an agency headed by J. T.
Il QAetdHt, du OlllCeI ana QlfOC1Or OF the
fair association. Mr.. Trezevant is in Eu-
rope and the exact insurance of the assoc
1atfon can not be learned until he returns
There was little insurance on the private
exhibits destroyed.
The private exposition buildings owned
by the j. /. Case Machinery company, the
Southern Rock Island Pillow company and
the Parlin & Orendorff company also were
destroyed, with a considerable quantity of
stored property. Their combined losses
probably will reach $4,000. The old and
the new Auditorium buildings, the latter
an immense structure caught fire several
times. Only the efforts of the fire depart
ment and citizens saved them
President Castor, the secretary, and the
general manager. Smith, and other fair Of
ficials were emphatic in their statements
today that the fire would In no way in
terfere with holding the annual fair and
exposition on time Temporary arrange
ments will be made for the placing of ex-
hibits in the four months before the fair
is to open.
Practically no damage was done to the
racing department. The stables and other
track accessories of the Dallas Jockey
club, which holds it's annual meeting con-
temporaneously with the state fair, were
saved, with only slight damage to sec
ton of the track fence. The baseball park
of the local club of the Texas league had
a narrow escape, but was in good condi-
ton for service for the game scheduled for
this afternoon with the Corsicana club.
Secretary Smith said: 1.-The exposition
buildings will surely be rebuilt. and on
modern up-to-date lines. We will get to
work at once, that is, within thirty days
on preliminaries. We may have to use
temporary quarters for part of our neces-
stiles, but permanent buildings are all
ready being planned, to be constructed of
brick and stone. The new exposition hall
will cost from 100000 to 800. 0OO Every
building will be of brick and stone, or
similar durable material, and of perma-
nent character. The private buildings and
exhibits destroyed today will be restored =