Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-26
TWO MILLION
FIRE loss N OHIO
Pike Theater Building and Half
Z Dozen Others Destroyed
at Cincinnati
WORST FIRE IN clTYs HISTORY

American Book Company, Robert Clark
& Co., and Many Others Losers in
Amounts Reaching Beyond Quarter
Of Million Dollars - insurance Was
Rather Light-Many Narrow Escapes
Cincinnati, o., Feb. 26.-Fire, which
started in the cellar of the Pike opera
house building at 1880 this morning.
caused a loss estimated at $2,000,000,
and was not under control until after
daylight. AS the confiagration occurred
In the heart OF the city, it caused great
alarm, and all occupants of the Bur
nett and Gibson hotels, which were In
close proximity were called out of their
rooms. There was no loss Of life, how
ever, altho there were many narrow
escapes, several lives being saved by
the heroism of the firemen and police.
The Pike building was totally de-
etroyed, including the offices of the
United States and Adams express COM
panies, Whites restaurant. Joffee's
grocery, Martins restaurant, Empson's
confectionery, Strauss cigar store, the
theater auditorium and green room and
many offices on the upper floors.
The building adjoining the Pike on
the east, occupied by the Robert Clark
Company, publishers; Guhme Bros,
Jewellers, and others, was entirely gut
ted. The Good building on the west
and Boetlick building on the east We're
badly damaged. The large publishing
house of the American Book Company
and other property along Baker street,
including Zumbiel & Co.'S box factory,
was burned, and the telephone building
considerably damaged. Other adjoin-
ing properties were threatened, but
owing to the good work of the fire de-
p;,rtment the spread OF the fire was
checked.
Shortly after the flames Were discov-
cred it was thought the fire was under
control, but an explosion. supposed to
come from liquors in storage, caused
the flames to spread beyond control.
Theatrical Company Loses.
Henrietta Crossman's company was
the attraction at the theater this week
and the entire scenery and costumes
were lost.
Many Losers.
T,here are over 400 different losers
and it is impossible at present to esu-
mate the total loss, as the fire Is still
burning in the territory bounded by
Vine, Walnut, Fourth and Baker streets
The principal losses are:
American Book Company, S25O,000.
Robert Clarke & Co.. S35O,000.
Pike building, $475,000
Seasongood building. s125,000
Harrison building, s1e5,00O-
Fosdick building. $125,o0O.
Duhme Bros, $4,000
Richter & Phillips, $4,000.
Joffees grocery, $4,000.
Strauss, cigars, $4,000.
Henrietta Crossman Company. s20,-
GOO.
Saxby's Lagareine, $4,000
There are scores Of smaller losses,
ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. Most of
out insurance, as the rate has recently
been put at what some OF them con-
sidered too high. The Insurance in no
case was large and the loss Is much
higher than usual on account of the
high rate fixed by the underwriters.
The fire fighters of the city were given
valuable assistance by departments
from Covington, Newport and other
1,,, st I,
fore their combined efforts had the fire
under control. The buildings destroyed
were among the most substantial in the
city.
Ono Man Killed.
John Keenan,, night wachman, was
caught by falling walls and fatally in
jured
There was scarcely any wind blow
ing, and this prevented the fire from
spreading in any direction, except
southwark to Baker street. Not only
the entire department., but also the po-
lice and other departments, We're oh
hand expecting a general catastrophe.
AS 1t was known about twenty people
We're asleep in the Pike building. there
We're at first reports that several lives
lad been lost. but this proved to be
without foundation. Watchman Agin
and Matt Garretson and Harry Rich.
ardson, bookkeeper, saved six lives by
entering the building ard forcing their
way thru the smoke and rescuing
dodgers.
Thrilling Rescues.
VIII Jones, a we'll known Cincinnati
actor, was asleep in room on the
fourth floor. When he awoke escape
was entirely cut off. He made his way
to the roof where he shouted himself
hoarse to people on the street, but was
unable to attract attention. Finally he
took his cuff and wrote upon 1t: Il am
on the roof, nearly dead from gas.
jones'" Jones threw his cuff to the
ground and reporter picked it up and
located the figure of man standing
outlined in the sparks. Firemen
placed ladder across an alley from the
Telephone Exchange building and res
cued Jones. He was taken to the hos
pital.
The Pike theater building was totally
destroyed by fire in 1866 and narrowly
escaped destruction in 1902. The prop
erty belongs to the Pike estate. Powell
Crossley is the general leasee, sublet-
ting to over 200 tenants. The Season
Good building was occupied by Balti-
.,,o,.o ood nhio ~ (lrro,