The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-10
CONFEDERATION
AT PATERSON

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p Olcott, who was in charge, said he
did not expect to find more than a
score of people who needed assistance.
Chief of Police Graul and Sheriff
Sturr established temporary offices in
the city treasurers Office and tho
sheriff swore in fifty special deputies,
who were Immediately sent to the
burned districts for the protection of
life and property.
Governor Murphy and Mayor Hinch-
life said they were extremely grateful
for the assistance given by the fire de-
partments in the nearby cities, which
responded promptly to the calls for aid.
Il am deeply grateful to the men who
so promptly came to our assistance"
said the mayor. land were 1t not for
their quick arrival and subsequent
heroic work, am afraid that the city
of Paterson would by this time have
been u desolate, black spot. Too much
credit cannot be given by our citizens
to the re-fghters, and the thanks of
the community, which has had such a
severe visitation, while to my mind in
adequate, are the only offerings we can
make to those who helped us in our
terrible hour of need"
Temporary relief quarters were es-
tablished early in the day at st. Paul's
church, where DR.. Hamilton presided
at meeting of the Ladies' Aid society.
but 1t was stated that there were only
a few applicants. The wants of these
were quickly attended to.
Area of Destruction.
Paterson, N. j., Feb. 9.-The area of
destruction foots up roughly twenty
five city blocks.
From Main street to Paterson street
between Van Houton and Market
streets, there 1t but little left. On the
block bounded by Main, Ellison, WASH
ington and Market streets, not single
building excepting that of the Paterson
Saving institution stands. All along
the west side of Main street property
is wiped out and on the east side also,
from Market to Van Houton streets
Along the south side of Broadway be-
tween Washington and Church streets,
great damage has been done.
Van Houton street is reduced to
smouldering debris so far as buildings
are concerned for some distance.
Ellison street suffered from the neigh
side. as far as Church street. On the
south side of this street there is wide
spread ruin from a short distance west
of Main street to the parsonage of the
Second Presbyterian church near Pat
erson street
Market street is pile Of ruins from
Main street to the Market street church
on the north side and the south side.
Nowhere was the scene Of devasta-
ton more marked than north of the
Erie railroad in the district bounded
by Sixteenth avenue and Market street.
There was simply nothing but ashes
left to tell that busy and populous
section of the city had ever existed.
On Washington street between
Broadway and Market street there is
practically nothing left.
Church street is wiped out on the
west side, between Ellison and Mar
ket sire as it was on it's east side.
1t was in the newest and best built
portions that Paterson suffered,
though some of the property now ly-
ing in lackened heaps had an interest
which came with age and usage. The
trolley car stables, where the flames
began, had in their time been u skat-
ing rink, and also the scene of politi-
cal rallies and other popular gather
ings. The First Baptist church had a
history all it's own, it's origin running
back for a century. The old city hall,
used for q police station, was also a
landmark.
The cost of the fire has not yet been
counted with any degree of accuracy,
and it will be several days before there
can be a definite tabulation of the
losses and insurance.
In the confusion of the day and the
rigorous guarding of the burned dis
tricts at night, it was impossible to
locate majority of the heavier suf-
ferers. The estimate of $10,00O,000 will
probably cover the destruction broad
" and group of city officials who
went over the city this evening We're
Inclined to scale that figure down to
between $7,0O0,000,000 and $S,OO0,0O0 for
actual property losses.
Their estimate made no calculation
for loss on account of suspension of
business. A hastily prepared and in
complete list compiled by business
man tonight, gives the following esti-
mates OF the loss:
City hall, sI50,O0O; First National bank SlO0,.
600; Second National bank, S6OOO0 Paterson
National bank, $4,000; Hamilton club $50.
600; Kats building, sG5, 700; Garden thea.er
$4,000; United States hotel, $4OO0O Public
library, 100000; Quackenbush & Co., depart
ment store, building and contents. $4,000; First
Baptist church, structure and furniture, ST, 900;
Paterson High school building and contents
$4,000; old city hall, used for police headquar
tiers, $4,000; the Boston department store, Mayer
Brothers proprietors, building and stock $sOO, 900;
the Evening News building and plant. $50, 600;
y. NJ. G. A. building, $4,000; Paterson, Passaic
Gas and Electric company, $4,000; st. Marks
church, building and contents. $27 600; st.
Mary's Parochial school, 10000; st. Joseph's
German Catholic church, building and furnish
ings, $4,000; st, Josephs rectory and furnish.
ings, $4,000; Park Avenue Baptist church,
buildings and furnishings, $4,000; the National
Clothing store, Levy Lachenbruch & Co. propri-
etors, building and stock, $4,000; the Paterson
department store, ID. Sonnebom proprietor build.
ing and stock, $4,000; Scheuer & Co., grocers
building and stock, $4,000; Marshall & Bail,
clothiers, building and stock 100000; Globe
department store, d. Bohm proprietor, building
and stock, S55, 600; Stevenson building, $40 900;
kcnts Drug store, S2j,OO0 knsela's Drug
store, $4,000; Fulds' Shoe store, $1,000; Muz.
~ Brothers, hardware, building and contents,
Sl5O,OOo; Douglas Shoe store, $4,000; Sunday
Chronicle $4,000; Romaine building $lOO,OOO;
d. IL, Wortondyke & Co., grocers $4,000; John
Norwood, paints, 10000; Engine house No. !,