The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-06
operator refused to give connections
until the money was deposited.

until the money was deposited.
Firemen Have a Hard Fight.
Meanwhile the firemen had heard the
cry of fire" and in spite of the fact
portion of the men were absent at
their noon meal, both the Minneapolis
and st. Paul companies responded with
remarkabiis prompthess and reached
tine building while yet there seemed
some hope of saving it,
The ST. Paul company, under the
leadership of Lieut.. Ed A. Lowe, of
Truck No. g carried a line into the
building and were making heroic en-
deaVor to check the flames, when there
was another explosion, speedily follow
ed by a third, and the men were al
most enveloped in flames. They re-
treated, blinded, scorched and daZed,
leaving several lengths of hose in the
blazing building, which were Destroy
ed.
Meanwhile the Minneapolis company
was doing valiant work, but the fire.
men speedily realized that any attempt
to save the building would be wasted
effort.
The club building is about 800 feet
east of the big grand stand, but luckily
the wind was in the opposite direction.
Yet so great was the heat that the end
of the grand stand was blistered and
had the wind blew toward the big
structure 1t is doubtful whether the
grand stand could have been saved.
Just to the east of the burning build
ing is a large carriage shed used for
exhibits, and as soon as the danger
was realized the firemen placed
chemical engine to protect this. 1t was
not sufficient, however, and one of the
streams from steamer had to be turn
ed on the building, and even then 1T
caught fire several times and was
saved only by hard work.
Little of Contents Are Saved.
Meanwhile, during the first few mo-
ments Of the fire, desperate efforts
were being made by the few people
who CHANGED to be about the club
house to save something from that
building. Mrs. M. J. Blair, who was In
charge of the building, rushed back
into the structure against the strenu-
Gus remonstrance of friends, and was
finally carried out against her excited
protest by Police Officer Thomas L.
Collins, of the Minneapolis force, when
it seemed that both were in danger Of
being cremated.
A man whose name could not be
learned was overcome by smoke and
was found by a fireman on his hands
and knees struggling to locate the
door. He was hauled out through the
window.
Everything that could be reached
was fairly hurled out through doors
and windows. In this summary way
much valuable material was saved.
One Of the exhibits, which was very
valuable, was collection of rare laces.
Mrs. N Hubbard and Miss A. Hub
bard also had an expensive collection
of Navajo blankets and rugs. The
larger portion of the Hubbard collec-
ton was rescued, as was practically
the entire lace collection.
There were a large number of fair
officials and attaches stopping at the
club house, and they all lost their per-
sonal effects. A complete list of these
losses could not be obtained last night,
but among them were: H. B. Jewell,
$50; Mrs. Challon, $40; E. d. Chase,
$100; Manager and Mrs. Underwood,
$50; Mrs. M. ]. Blair, $50; Mrs. ]. B.
Hudson, 500; Mrs. and Miss Hubbard.
500; Swedish Hospital of Minneapolis
(bed linen), 5000; Womens Medical
Club of Minneapolis (drugs), SIS.
Two Firemen Overcome by Smoke.
The firemen found the blaze one OF
the hottest they have had occasion to
fight in long time. Philip Canterbury
and Matt Hogan, with Engine %, of
Minneapolis, were overcome by the heat
and smoke and had to be carried from
the building. Canterbury revived when
he reached the open air and returned to
his work, but Hogan had to be sent to
his home. Lieut.. E. A. Lowe, of Truck
2, st. Paul, literally had his rubber
coat melted from his back, and his fire
helmet also became soft from the heat
while it was on his head and dropped
down on his ears, burning one of them
very badly.
Dan Welsh, of Truck No. 4, st. Paul,
who was visitor on the grounds, hap
pened to be at fire headquarters when
the alarm came in and he obeyed the
summons and assisted the men on
duty. He was on the line which was
first run into the building, and when
the others retreated he refused to come
out until fairly dragged from the
building by his brother firemen. His
hands were badly scorched.
Handbag Found Containing $178.
Just after the rush to save goods, a
small boy was noticed picking up
lady's handbag from the ground where
it had been thrown in the excitement
An officer examined 1t and found in it
SITS in paper and silver money.
During the fire sparks ignited the
tent belonging to the Farm. Field and
Fireside, which adjoins the site of the
burned building on the east, and it was
totally destroyed, together with a NOV
ing picture machine, entailing loss
of about $500.
1t was extremely fortunate that the
fire took place just when it did. as at
almost any other time of the day or
night there would have been many in
the building and probably a panic and
loss of life.
Building Cost $4,000.
The building was not owned by the
fair association, but was the property
of the st. Paul Driving club. It was
erected in 1890 at cost, including fur
nishings. of about $4,000. The fair
association has had the use of it for
the last three years. in return allowing
the driving club to have the use of the