The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-04
Little Insurance, Because the Rate of
Per Cent. Was Deemed Ex-
cessive by Owners.
MILITIA PLACED ON GUARD
SEVERAL PERSONS ARRESTED FOR
LOoTING THE SALVAGE.
Guests of the Hotels Able to Save
Most of Their VaIusbies-Atd
Summoned from Philadelphia.

ATLANTIC CITY, n. J.. April 3.-Twelve
hotels and more than a score OF small
buildings adjoining the board walk, which
is built along the ocean edge, were de-
stroyed to-day by fire which swept the
beach front for two blocks, from Illinois
avenue TO New York avenue. The loss, II
Is believed, will exceed $4,000. In this
respect the confiagration is the most dis
sstrous that has ever visited this city. The
loss will be only partly covered by insur-
ance. as the rate Of per cent. charged by
Insurance companies property here is
regarded as almost prohibitive. Fortunate
ly. no lives were sacrificed, though proba-
bly, a dozen persons were slightly injured
and burned during the progress OF the fire.
II was reported early in the afternoon that
six men had perished in the flames. but the
rumor was without foundation.
The origin of the fire is unknown. but is
said TO have started at either Brady's
baths or the Tarlton Hotel. which adjoins
the baths at Illinois avenue and the board
walk. The city tonight is guarded by a
company OF militia. who were requested by
the municipal authorities to aid the police
In the prevention of Iootlng. About a
dozen men were arrested during the day
for robbery
The hotels destroyed and their estimated
losses are: The Luray and Annex, the lat
ter formerly known as the Norwood. owned
by J. S. White & Son. $125OOO; the New
Holland. Mrs NJ. j. Lee $4,000: Stratford.
Arnold w. Waldner, $4,000; Berkely Bew
Bros. $1,000; Bryn Mawr. J. & E. Kefrer.
i25.00O: Stickney. Mrs l.. V. Stickney. $40
10; Evard. James T.. German. $4,000; Rio
3rande, J. p. Fitzpatrick, 10000; Mervine,
]. EelS. $4,000; Academy Hotel and Acad-
emy OF Music. Charles FraIinger, s25. 900;
Windsor. G. Jason Waters (partly de-
stroyed). S25.OO0.
Charles w. Keeler. who conducted a drug
store on the board walk at Kentucky ave-
nue.. estimates his loss at 100000 and Victor
Freisinger, proprietor OF an art store at St
James place and the board walk, says his
loss is $4,000. Other victims whose losses
range from 5000 10 $4,000 are: James A
Brady. bathhouse: David John, druggist
Nabass & Kazzar. Oriental goods; Haines.
florist; Shimamura & Co. Japanese novel
ties; Ching Hop Hing. Chinese novelties;
John III. Flett. art store; Partridge & Rich
ardson. millinery and dry goods; Woman's
Exchange; f. p. Quinn. hair dresser; NJ
Meyer & Bro, jewelry; Richard Binder,
barber. In addition TO the foregoing there
were numerous other smaller booths and
several cottages on minor thoroughfares in
the rear of the board walk which were
either partially or entirely destroyed
ALL FRAME STRUCTURES.
The fire was discovered shortly after
o'clock this morning, and for nearly five
hours the names ragged with such violence
as TO threaten the city with destruction.
All of the burned buildings were frame
structures, and the flames. famed by a
strong west wind. swept along the beach
front with amazing rapidity. The TarIton
Hotel was soon pile of smoldering debris
and the flames fed on the small stores and
booths between Illinois and Kentucky ave-
nues until they reached the Stratford Ho-
tel, which was soon envelOped. The fiery
tongue leaped TO the Berkely adjoining
and in few minutes the New Holland the
Bryn Mawr, the Evard and the Stickney
all located on Kentucky avenue near the
beach, were doomed. The local fire de-
partment worked well and willingly, but
=as unable to cope with the flames and IL
was found necessary to send TO Philadel-
phia and Camden for aid. The former cftv
Camden. The engines We're brought here
on two special trains furnished by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. and they
made the run of nearly sixty miles in fifty-
FIVE minutes. Their presence here was of a
vast assistance to the local firemen, but il
was not until an hour after their arrival
t1OTOuEhlV
under control.
Just as the special train bearing the
Philadelphia nremen arrived a burning
brand set fire TO the center of Youne's Dier
near Tennessee avenue. Meantime the
flames had communicated with the Rio
Grande. the Mervine and the Academy no.
tells and the Academy OF Music at the cor
ner OF New York avenue and the beach
For a few minutes Young's pier burned
fercely. but the firemen succeeded in con-
hning the flames TO Marine Hall which
was situated in the center of the pier This
structure was destroyed. bisecting the pier
GUESTS WERE EXCITED.
During the progress of the fire the widest
excitement prevailed among the guests OF
the hotels which later became a prev m
the flames. With the execution Of the
TarIton and the Bryn Mawr all of the
hostelries were open for the season. and
most OF them were fairly we'll filled. In
the most cases the guests had sufficient
time 10 pack their trunks and grips and
those who did not do this carried their
personal effects TO places of safety in the
best manner possible. The beach appeared
10 be the most suitable deDository and
many nOndescrtpt heaps OF clothing bed
ding and furniture appeared in the sand
This rendered extra vigilance necessary
on the part OF the police The members of
the volunteer fire department acted as sne
ciaI policemen, and Company l.. National
Guard OF New Jersey, was called out to
preserve order.
Strenuous efforts were made by the fire.
men 20 prevent the destruction OF the
Windsor Hotel. which was the last TO take
IRE. The wind had been favorable TO the
nrennen. but at 30 o'clock the wing Of ths
Windsor nearest the blazing structure be
gan 20 burn. and I'm half an hour IN had
been consumed. The flames, however. were
confined TO this section OF the building.
though the main portion OF the hotel is
badly damaged by smoke and water
Nothing Is left OF the board walk from
q.