The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-02-11

The awful fire which swept Baltimore
day and Monday night with a fury that
seemed uncomfortable, was reported as
practically over early Tuesday morn
ing. The heroic work of the city 8
splendid fire department, aided by fire
fighters from Philadelphia, Annapolis,
Wilmington and New York at last con-
Guered the destroyer, making a last
stand at Jones Falls, when the fire lost
its power to wreak further vengeance
upon the helpless city.
Dynamite was used freely. The fire
apparatus was centered and all the skill
Of the fire-fghters called into play to
defeat the element that had eaten mil
lions of dollars worth of property.
The fire was checked. Behind it lay a
great gutted waste of more than 140
acres in extent.
Every street that led to the fire area
was crowded with awe-stricken specta-
tors. Down the narrow gulch-like
streets the black smoke hung densely.
split now and then by red glare OF
fame. The crash of falling buildings
was lost in the roar of exploding dyna-
mite. as it was used to demolish struc-
lures as yet untouched by fire.
4 SCENE OF DEVASTATION.
The burned area is a scene of COM
plete devastation. Numberless build
iugs that were the pride of Baltimore
costly and stately. and occupied for
all kinds of business-are a mass Of
Dol
ing, one Of the finest in the city, is
now smouldering debris, save for the
remnants and the front and side walls.
For acres. on South street, where stood
The Sun building, the pillars that once
marked the front only remain. Entire
blocks just below there are wiped out
without, in some cases( a wall left
standing. From Fayette street down
| Holiday street, as far as German. there
is no building left, save the corn and
flour exchange, at the corner Of Ger
man street. That building, whose walls
tower above the crumbling debris OF
what were formerly adjoining struc-
lures. was Quilted and formed q caldron
of fire. In numerous other wrecked
buildings the flames played about the
debris and threatened to weaken the
foundations OF the few walls that were
left.
The costly United States custom
house was ruined. Most of the busi-
ness section OF the city was totally
| burned out.
FIFTY THOUSAND OUT OF EN-
PLOYMENT.
Col. J. Frank Supplee, competent
authority on factory statistics, esti-
mates that the number of persons who
are thrown out Of employment will
reach $4,000. Others have estimated
| the enforced idleness at greatly more.
Inspector OF Buildings Preston, afte-
making a careful study Of the burned
| district. placed the building loss at
| $50, Coo. GOO.
! SEVENTY-FIVE SQUARES ARE IN
! ASHES
About rs squares, or 140 acres, are in
| ashes. extending from Lexington street
| On the north, to Pratt street, on the
south; from Liberty. on the west. TO
| the Falls. on the east.
/ The city was early placed under mar
ual law. and thus all danger Of 1ooting g
IL the doomed district was eliminated.
Word was received tonight that Gen.
Corbin. Of New York, would be here
Iuesday to take command OF the Fed
eTal troops. The presence Of two regi-
| ments OF militia as an adjunct to the
| police. which were augmented by de-
tails from Philadelphia and Washing
| ton, resulted in the maintenance of the
! best OF order.