New-York tribune., 1902-02-04
INCENDIARISM FEARED.
BELIEF THAT THE SCOVIL HOUSE WAS
PURPOSELY SET ON FIRE. But
NO PROOF FOUND.

morning blackened and smUdldering mass
of ruins that marked the main business section
of the city. CHASTITY as the appearance was and
bitter was the disappointment of business
men and numerous families, there was one fact
blacker than all the others. This was the strong
suspicion that the fire that completely destroyed
the Scovil House. burned up thousands upon
thousands of dollars worth of furniture. ap-
pontments and personal effects and imperilled
many lives. the work Of a fire fend-
The fire originated in the pool and billiard
room in the basement Of the house. on the FUR
ther side from the burning district. The room
was closed and locked. No one supposed to
be there No fire kept in the room, all heat
being supplied from boiler in another part OF
the building
Mr.. Truman. the manager. said at the police
station while the fire was still raging that he
had not the slightest doubt that it was of in
cendiary origin. No could be found to ex-
plain it's origin. and the authorities have been
quietly at work investigating
The fire came so closely on the heels OF the
big confagration that the thousands of specta-
tors who witnessed it were thrown into more
complete panic than the original confagration
caused.
FEARS OF CITYS DESTRUCTION
The flames had only begun to die out down
along Bank. Grand and South Main SITS. at (
O'Clock when long tongues of flames Ieaped as by
magic into the sky and people groaned with the
apprehension that the city was doomed after ALL
The call was rung in promptly. and the engines
that hurried TO the scene turned their attention
mainly 10 preventing the spread of the flames.
II evident that the hotel was doomed. and
if the fire had reached the adjacent buildings
there would have been little hope Of saving the
centre of the city. The fire blazed far into the
day, and was not extingushed entirely until
evening
The scene about the city to-day only
little less remarkable than that of the previous
evening. Thousands of people stumbled around
the icy streets and with the greatest difficulty
were restrained by the militia and the police
force from venturing within the danger lines
The fire cut through the heart of the city. and
the appearance of the gaping opening from
Leavenworth to Brook SITS. was typical of the
damage done to the commercial life and import
ance Of the city.
BROKEN WIRES HINDER WORK.
A tangled network of wires on Bank and South
Main SITS greatly hindered the work OF ex-
tinguishing the last flames and clearing away
the wreckage.
The Connecticut Railway and Lighting Com
pany had men en- the streets all day. removing,
repairing and replacing the wires. The city's
telephone communication lighting facilities and
electric power were restored before nightfall.
cult to obtain at this time. Few know just what
the loss was on their buildings and stock. 1t is
believed that when the truth is known the
figures previously given will not be far from the
correct estimate.
The remarkable feature of the fire was un-
doubtedIy the absence, so far as known. OF loss
of life Two men who were asleep in the Scovtl
House-Charles Y. Kent. of the Holmes. Booth
and Hayden Company, and member of the Board
+,a md ~IOIy Cxnrvr7
were reported missing, but both have been
found
MERCHANTS NOT DISMAYED-
The rebuilding of ruined structures is only a
question OF time. Temporarylqu quarters have been
secured by all the firms. and though small
far as actual space goes. the merchants who
have lost so heavily have refused to yield TO
defeat and will be in cOmmOdOus head
quarters. Many have already telegraphed for
new stock and will resume business imme-
diately.
The American Publishing Company is among
the heaviest losers. the building being entirely
ruined, but the paper was issued in an alb
breviated form tonight. The walls of the
mechanical department are still standing, and
it is said that it will be rooted in Immediately.
The press and machines are believed TO be not
seriously damaged. though buried under water
and wreckage. The plans of the company have
not been formulated as to the future
FEW THEFTs REPORTED.
There has been more or less disorder about
the streets to-day but the police have been
active and the militia has been of inestimable
service in handling the crowds The streets
piled with household goods and strewn
with small articles thrown from the windows
Some OF the property quietly cOnfiscated
by passersby, but the amount of thieving
small compared with the opportunities offered
by the confusion.
except one two cases, of slight nature.
The streets are rapidly being cleared, and the
trolley service will be resumed usual shortly.
AS il is. cars are running on several streets.