Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-16
ALEXAN De R
CITY WIPED
OUT BY FIRE
TOWN BURNED AND PEOPLE IN
WANT-EVERY STORE IN CITY
DESTR0YED-SUPPLIES CAM
NOT BE SECURED.

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala, June a.
Every business house IN Alexander City
was totally destroyed by the most disas-
trous fire ever known in the history Of
this place. The fire originated in Robin
sons machine shop about 1 o'clock, and
was caused by a ladle of molten iron. 1t
soon spread from this to Arthur Moons
store, and this whole block was soon
mass Of flames. The flames then crossed
Union street and the Citizens bank build
ing, and then spread in both directions,
soon cutting this entire block, including
the large three-story Alabama hotel. From
the Alabama hotel the flames crossed the
Central railroad tracks and destroyed the
Central depot, together with its stores and
large cotton platform. on which was
stored several hundred dollars worth Of
reaping machinery which had just arrived.
two loaded freight cars standing on
side track and all the Office furnishings.
The flames spread in both directions,
and two more blocks were soon burning
fiercely. In one of these blocks were
twelve Of the largest stores in Alexander
City, including the Alexander City bank
building. n. f. Falker's livery and S. J.
Nolen's sale stables and an immense cot
ton warehouse.
The burned district consists Of three OF
the most important business blocks in the
city, besides ten residences and the fine
Methodist church and parsonage.
The loss will reach SIT, 925, with $105,0S0
insurance. Not single store house out
of fifty is left standing. In addition u
residences, two hotels, three banks, the
courthouse and two livery stables were
destroyed.
Many people were homeless last night.
without shelter or food. Provisions are ar
irving by the trainload today however
and the work of relief is going on.
The following is the list of losers in the
burned district:
Robinson's machine and foundry; Arthur
Moon. merchant; L. d. Coley, drugs: J.
II. Fuller. store, livery and dwelling; court
house; Cosper & Harlan, store building;
T. B. Turner. hardware and tin: H J.
Cameron. office; Templeton & Harris; DR..
A. ]. Coley. Office; DR.. A. w. Aslxew.
office; Mrs. Elma Jackson, store building;
w. ]. Jones' store building; p. Sheffrita.
| bar. cotton and groceries; ]. j. Bailey.
groceries; ]. w. Wilder. store building:
Gottlieb Bros. & Co., store; ]. A. Robin
son, building; Outlook Publishing Compa-
ny; W. d. Chapman. gallery; knights OF
Pythias hall; E. P. Duncan, building and
stock; F. NJ. Douglass, building and stock;
/ Western Union telegraph Office; ]. s.
Christian, building; S. P. Adams & Co.;
Polk hotel: DR.. ]. A. Goggans. office; ho-
| tel building; H W. Pearson, building and
stock; Mrs. Genie Adams, store building;
Anderson & Dean. groceries; E. B. Ram
sey, store building; ]. r. Watkins, drugs
J. L. Thornton. hardware; Hertzfeld q
Frohsen; Masonic hall; J. z. Walker,
building and stock; NJ. #. Walker. build
ing and stock; Barton & Allen, grocery
j. c. Maxwell, building and store; X.
Hertzfeld, store building; Alexander City
bank building: Citizens bank building; @.
A Sorrell. Law building; S. ]. Nolen. store
and building and sales stable; Cotton
w arehouse Company; Alabama hotel.
Mrs. Ginnie Holloway, proprietress; Thorn
as Bros; w. NJ. Welch. two stores; W.
NJ. WEIGH & Co., stock; L. T. johnson.
/ stock; Central of Georgia depot; Meth
odist church and parsonage; Coley &
sandlin; nine residences; T. w. Pearson,
saloon; A ". Argo, saloon; ingram &
Belyeu; ]. F. Thomas; G. W. Sealy;
Thornton & Watkins.
The flames began in the foundry and
spread with awful rapidity. The long con-
! tinued drought had dried up everything
and the wooden buildings burned like tin
der A light wind was blowing and the
flames spread so rapidly that the whole
business section was soon one seethiEg
mass of flames.
There is no waterworks in Alexander
| City, and all that the panic-stricken peo-
pie could DO was to save few OF their
| personal effects. Dadeville was telegraph
ed to for supply of dynamite. in order
/ that some of the buildings might be blown
| away to prevent a further spread OF the
flames, but the explosive reached here
| only after the fire had burned itself out.
The railroad has established its tele-
graph line under a tree and appeals for
| help and supplies are being sent all over
the country. A large number OF people
here saved absolutely nothing. and are
today in actual want. Both of the city
banks were destroyed by fire and the loss
| in them will be heavy. The tracks OF the
Central of Georgia were so badly warped
by the flames that trains cannot pass over
them, but have to transfer their passen-
gers.
AS a result of the fire a large number OF
people are rendered destitute, and even
those who have money cannot purchase
suppIv OF food or clothing, as all Of the
stores have been burned. There were only
five barrels of flour left intact In tne
whole town, and relief is imperative.