The age-herald., 1902-04-04
LOSS WILL BE $75O,OOO
 WITH $175.OOO INSURANCE
Entire City Was Threatened With De- struction, and Firemen and En-
 uineers Were Sent From
 Philadelphia and Camden.
TLANTIC City, N. J., April B.


 Twelve hotels and more than
 score of small buildings adjoining the boardwalk which is built along the ocean edge, were destroyed today by fire which swept the beach front for two blocks from Illinois avenue to New fork avenue. The loss, 1t is believed will not exceed $7$50000. The loss will be only partially covered by insurance as the rate of five per cent charged by insurance companies on property here is regarded as almost prohibitive.
 Fortunately no lives were lost, though probably dozen persons were slightly injured and burned. The origin of the fire is unknown, but is said to have started in either Brady's bath house or the Tarl- ton Hotel. which adjoins the baths at Illinois avenue and the boardwalk. The city tonight is guarded by a company of militia who were requested by the munich pal authorities to aid the police in the prevention of footing. About dozen men were arrested during the day for robbery.
 The Hotels Destroyed.
 The hotels destroyed and their estim ated losses are:
 The Luray and Annex, the latter for merly known as the Norwood, owned by J. s. White & Son, s$l250OO; the New Hol land Mrs. M J. Lee $3O0OO; Stratford, Arnold W. Waldner, s4O.0OO Berkely. Bew Bros, $50,0OO; Bryn Mawr, J. and E. 1. Keller. S25. 900; Stickney, Mrs L. V. Stick ney, $2O,000; Evard, James T. German. s20.- M. I D i1toat ri Mervine, J. l.. Els, $2O,oO0; Academy Ho- tel and Academy of Music Charles Far-- finger. s2$5OOO; Windsor G. J. Waters psrtly destroyed), $25oOO.
 Charles W. Keeler, who conducted a drug store on the board walk at Ken lucky avenue estimates his loss at S600O0, and Victor Fresenger, proprietor of an art store at St. James Place and the board walk, says his loss is s5O,OOO
 Other victims whose losses range from s5OOO to s1oOOO are:
 James A Brady, bath houses; David John, druggist; Nabass & Kazaar. Ori- ental novelties; Cing Hop Hing, Chinese novelties; John II. Flett, art store; Par fridge & Richardson, millinery and dry goods; Woman's Exchange; F. P. Quinn, hair dresser: M. Meyer & Brother, jewell ry; Richard Binder, barber.
 Fire Discovered at O'Clock
 The fire was discovered shortly after g o'clock this morning, and for nearly five hours the flames ragged with such violence as to threaten the city with de- struction. 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 Tarlton Hotel was soon pile of smouldering debris and the flames fed on the small stores and booths between Illinois and Kentucky avenues until they reached the Stratford Hotel which was soon enveloped The fiery tongues leaped to the Berkley adjoining and in few minutes the New Holland, the Bryne Mawr. the Evard and the Stickney, all located on Kentucky avenue near the beach, were doomed. The local fire department worked well, but was un- able to cope with the flames and it was found necessary to send to Philadelphia and Camden for aid. The former city sent three engines and two came down from Camden The engines were brought here on two special trains furnished by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and they made the run of nearly sixty miles in 55 minutes. They were of vast as- sistance to the local firemen, but 1t was not until an hour after their arrival that
  under control.
 lust as the special train bearing the Philadelphia firemen arrived, a burnig brand set fire to the center of Young's bier near Tennessee avenue. Meantime the flames had communicated with the Rio Grande, the Mervine and the Academy Hotels and the Academy of Music at the corner of New York avenue and the beach. For few minutes Youngs pier burned fiercely, but the firemen succeed ed in confining the flames to Marine Hall which was situated in the center of the uter. This tructure was destroyed. bi- eecting the pier.
 Wild Excitement Prevailed.
 During the progress of the fire the wild eat excitement prevailed among the guests of the hotels. which later became a prey to the flames The beach was piled with nondescript heaps of clothing, bed fling and furniture. This rendered extra vigi1ence necessary on the part of the po- lice The members of the volunteer fire department acted as special policemen and Company l.. National Guard, of New Jersey was called out to preserve order
 Nothing is left of the board walk from Illinois avenue to point within few feet of Young's pier but the iron sup norts. This is the portion of the walk which is mostly used by promenaders It was o'clock before the fremen were convinced that there was no further dan ger.
 Most of the fire victims expressed de- sire to rebuild at quickly as possible. The local board of insurance underwriters after a meeting tonight announced that tbe total loss would not exceed $75O,0O0 and the loss to the insurance companies would be about s175.ooO, and that no in diyidual insurance company would sus- tain a greater net loss than $7500
 R. H. Henry Appointed Commissioner.
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