The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-10
MILLIONS IN ASHES
PATERSON, N. j.. SUFFERS TERRI
BILE Loss.
OVER 500 BUILDINGS BURN.
LEADING PUBLIC AND BUSINESS
HOUSES GONE.

started In Gar Sheus Oh rover
uouse and Spread So Rapidly That
Firemen Were Helpless Five
Churches. six Banks, Five Clubs,
Roth TeIesraph Offices, Two News
Douer Offices and Several Big Of
fee Buildings Destroyed.
Paterson, N. j.. Feb. "a great fire
swept through Paterson to-day and
in its desolate wake are the embers
and ashes of property valued in pre-
uminary estimate at $10,000,0 900. 1t
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-
tonal and religious use, as well as
scores of houses. There was small
tribute of life and injury to, the con-
Aagration, but hundreds were left
homeless and thousands without em-
plovment. A relief movement for the
care of those unsheltered and unpro-
vided for has been organized already
and Mayor John Henchcliffe said to-
night 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, already has commenced the
work of reorganization and restora-
ton.
The fire came at last midnight and
was checked only after a desperate
fight that lasted until late this after
noon. Every city and town within
reach of Paterson sent firemen and
apparatus to, the relief of the threat
ened city and it took the united eff
forts of them all to win the battle.
northerly gale gave Me confiagration
its impetus and carried its burning
brands to kindle the blaze afresh at
ether points. The firemen made stand
after stand before the wall of fire,
but were driven back repeatedly and
when victory finally came to them
they were grimed and exhausted.
Leading Properties DESTROYED.
partial list of the properties de-
stroyed follows:
Public Buildings-City hall, public
library. old city hall. police station.
No engine house. patrol stables, high
school and school number 13.
Churches-F'irst 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.
Club Houses-Y. M. C. A, Knights
of Columbus, Progressive, st. Joseph's
Hall and Hamilton Club.
Office Buildings-Romaine building,
Katz building, Marshall and Balls,
Conn building, Old Town clock, Old
Kline building, and Stevenson build
ing.
Telegraph Western I'm
ion and Postal Telegraph.
Theater-The Garden.
Newspapers-The Evening News and
Sunday Chronicle.
Quackenbushs dry goods,
Boston Store, dry goods; Globe Store,
0ry goods; National Clothing Company;
hent's drug store; Kinsellas drug store;
Muzzy's Hardware and General Mer
ehandise; Marshall & Ball, clothiers;
John Norwood, paints; Oberg's gro
" - NOiANy nc D SiONClJ - ~
W, G Shields, .grocers; "The Pater-
SON dry gods; Jordans piano store;
Sauter q Co., pianos; Federer & Nc
Aalr shoes; Zendler's confectionery;
L2ppin's tea store; RagowsH' 5
millinery; Brohat and Mueller,
Shoes: c. H. Beach, automobiles;
Aoreham & Son. clothiers; Paterson
Gas and Electric Company; Slye's drug
S'ore, and Mackintosh's drug store.
1,C0O Families shelterIess.
An estimate made from a general
Inspection of the smouldering ruins
Placed the number of dwellings and
apartment houses destroyed at 500, and
the number of families left without
shelter at 1000. A re-estimate, when
oIuer succeeds confusion, may alter
those figures.
The fire began it's work of far-reach-
lug destruction at the power house
Vi the Jersey City, Hobolen and Pat
eIson Traction Company, which 'front.'
On Broadway and extended a block
~ the rear on Van Houten street. 1t
oniiienced in the car sheds and was
turning tiercely when one of the en-
poyes detected 1t. 1t was leaping
Trough the roof and the gale was
lung 1t in forks and swirls when
pn tSe nre apparatus came changing into
sp.,oduWay, Main and Van Houten
ineets. The firemen tried to hem il
~ put 1t speedily crossed Van Houten
aueet IN one direction, Main street in
\ SSmotner and, gaining vigor as it went.
n ool nalued unchecked down into the bust
VS. district. Every piece OF fire
h'. saanlsm in the city was called out,
TON @, hre and gale were masters. A great
Wrtih OF flame rose high in the air,
asnnuhs up the country for many miles
H tbo carrylng threat and warning 20
| people and property In its path.
an6 were efforts 10 rescue furniture
tbe stock but the speed with which
ti,. e moved gave the rescuers little
III property was often moved 10 n
pace Of presumed safety only 10 be
v,hfn eventually and destroyed. The
vea. ~ TO many was brief and they
g. iorced 10 fee. scantily clad, into
by u glazed over with lee and swept
w the Keen wind. To- night the
oryi' 10 prevent disorder and check
an issued proclamation warning
IN IONS from being on the streets
burned district after .. NJ.
The rifS Hail burned.
VIZ. ,iI,aIn street soon was arched oyer
ne canopy Of IRE FOR d block. and
tn,s ~ Two blocks, as fhe 0amos fasf-
H.t4 iy'Altflfes upon building after
ems The nrenlfn fought Nltn
Int i'syNief " fholr craft aud the
o8rt W desperation. buf the namss
Nsr.. H avenues ln Eiiison and
uo' sfeeit and go beyond 90 con-
IN. allt for relief wonf ouf fo every
IVA i1 i1if portion IN ~ sfafe. Tho
f. hali b mnFnlroani aifufiutf.
",-p'se ~ . weaf cleek tower,