Gilpin observer., 1902-02-13
LOSS Is TEN MILLION
BUSINESS CENTER OF PATTERSON
/ WIPED OUT BY FIRE.
Aid from Neighboring citics Prevent.
cd Complete Work of Destruction
High Wind sprcaas the Flames
Started In Power Elouac.

AiS S"cpt tHiOuBu Patterson SUNDAY
and In its desolate wake are the EN-.
bers and ashes of properly valued in
preliminary estimate at $4,000, GOO.
1t burned its way through the busl-
ness section of the city and claimed
as its own e majority of the finer
structures devoted to commercial.
civic. educational and religious USE.
as We'll as scores of houses There
was but small tribute OF life and in
jury to the conflagration, but hun
dreds were left homeless and thou
sands without employment. RELIEF
movement for the care of those un-
sheltered and unprovided for has al
ready been organized and Mayor John
Hinchcliffe said that Paterson would
be able to care for her own without
appealing to the charity of the other
communities and states. The great
manufacturing plants of the place
are safe and the community, tempo
rarily dazed by the calamity, has al
ready commenced work OF reorganiza-
ton and restoration. The fire came
at midnight and was only checked
after desperate fight that lasted
until late Sunday afternoon. Every
city and town within reach Of Pater-
son sent fremen and apparatus to
Nhe relief of the threatened city and
1t took the united efforts of all to win
the battle. A northerly gale gave the
confiagration its impetus and carried
Its burning brands to kindle the blaze
afresh at other points. The fremen
made stand after stand before the wall
of fire, but were repeatedly driven
back and when victory finally came
to them they were grimed and ex-
hausted.
Finest Edifices in City are Eurned.
The business section OF the town.
lying between Prospect street, Broad
way, Paterson and Market streets,
was wiped out completely. The resi-
dence portion destroyed extended from
Pearl street to Market street and from
Straight street to Carroll street. The
city hall. all the national banks. five
churches, the high school. public IL
brary and all OF the principal business
houses and public buildings were in
the ruined section.
An estimate from q general in
spection of the smoulderng ruins
placed the number OF dwellings and
apartment houses destroyed at 500
and the number of families left with
out shelter al 1000. The area OF de-
struction foots up 25 city blocks.
Started in Power House.
The fire began It's work of far-reach-
ing destruction at the power house of
the Jersey City. Hoboken and Pater-
son Traction company, which fronted
on Broadway and extended block to
tho rear of Van Houten gtreot. 1t
Commenced IN the car SIZED ard was
burning fierceiy when one Of the en-
ployes detected It, It was ieaplng
through the roof and the gale was lift
ing It in forks and swirls when the
fire apparatus arrived. The Gromen
tried to hem Il In, but it speedily
Crossed Van Hcuten street In ole di-
Tection. Main street in anqthcr and
gaining vigoT as Il went, tc@.led ur-
checked down into the business dis
trlc,. Every piece Of fire meeheplsR
In the sity was called, but the FIRE
and the gale were masters. A great
torch of fame rose up high in the
air. lighting up the country for many
miles and carrying threat snd warn
ing to the people and profor5y IA it's
path There were efforts 10 rescue
furniture and stock, but the speed
with which the Gre moved gave me
rescuers little time. Property was
often moved 10 a place of presumed
safety, only TO be eventually reached
and destroyed. The warning to many
was brief and they were forced to
nee. scantily clad, into streets
glazed over by ice and swept by the
keen wind.
Main street ~as soon arohed oyei
with canopy OF fire for e bleeR and
then two blocks, as the Games fast
ened themselves upon building after
building. TIE fremen fought with
every resource OF their craft, but the
flames found now avenues in Ellison
and Market streets and got beyond
oil control,
TVS Distinct Flres.
= The city hall, magnificent struct-
IRE. surmounted by n great clock
tower, situated on Washington, ELI
son and Market streets, finally caught
and with It went all of the splendid
business structures that surrounded
dt. They made a great furnace of firc
that burned with fierce roar. There
was q series OF explosions and scores
OF walls fell whom the fire left them
strengthless. Flying firebrands
carried the conaa&ration over some
buildings and around others, and u
Therefore burned in an irregular
course. These brands finally cleared
the trachA OF the Erie railroad and
RAmspe pvsAve and alightsng on
0traiSh< slsos<, started another great
area q In. In which the destruction
and 'desolA&tOA wrought w1s nearly as