The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-02-12

chantS and Miners Transportation
Company. a frame structure. the YORK
River line dock at the foot Ct Concord
street, also frame and the Baltimore
Savings bank.
There were hundreds Of other build
ings destroyed. including many of con-
siderable commercial Importance, but
their complete list wou be but a bus
mess directory of the burned area.
Daring Acts OF the Fire Fighters.
While there were no casualties to
speak OF. the great army Of fire fight
ers performed many daring features in
their desperate attempt 10 stay the
flames. Many times they were driven
out Of close and hot places, just as
walks came topping down. The last
large building to fall a prey to the
flames. down along Jones Falls, nearly
caught five men. They were on the roof
and directing their efforts to an adtoln-
ing structure when a warning shout
was sent up that the interior Of the
building on which they were stand rg
was a mass Of flames. They founf
their way 10 a tin gutter. where n BY
one they hung on, stretched out III ir
arms n grdsped a Telegraph pole which
was planted close to the structure.
They slid down and had not reached the
ground when the roof fell in with a
roar. This was only n instance.
Columns could be written OF haj-
breadth escapes mad during the TWEEN
ty eight hours battle with the flames.
Out or Town Me Try TO Check the
Flames.
All the out OF town fire companies.
because Of the utter exhaustion OF the
local men. were given a free hand
during the morning and early after
noon. More than a score OF companies
were here from New York. PhIiadel-
phia, Wilmington. washington and
SINAI towns within a radius OF hftv
miles of Baltimore. Their duty was to
check the flames in their onward march
southwark.
The New York iremen who were the
last to arrive. owing to the long dis
lance they travelled, were the last I"
stand the brunt OF flames and when the
fire began to burn itself out in the coal
yard of the American Ice Company.
seven Of their steamers were-backed up
against a bulkhead of the
river. The cordons of guards complete
" encircling the fire, are restricting
number of spectators within to a mini
num-, ropes being stretched across the
entering streets with the armed mem
bers OF the Federal and National guard
on duty to keep back the crowds. In the
crowds were found not only the inhaE-
itants of Baltimore, but many visitors
from washington, Annapolis, Whining
ton n surrounding towns, even as
far away as Philadelphia. The gath
erings are remarkably quiet and orderly
and he sentinels SO far have had no
difficulty in controlling them
Pratt street, running from one end to
the other of the fire, was passable
throughout its length and was used as
q thoroughfare by those permitted
within the lines. Great foolhardiness
was exhibited by some persons who
uaot,rad raolIocSly into the more dan
gerouS streets.
Months Will be Necessary to Clear
Away the DEBRIS.
The clearing away of the ruins VII
be an affair of months. Every stand
ding wall must come down and the
whole vast accumulated debris cartel
away. Along the northern edge Of the
burned district. the number OF stand
ing walls is especially noticeable, some
of the largest buildings, such as the
Continental and Baltimore and Ohio
Office building being still erect.
General Corbin Ordered to Baltimore.
Washington, February Sat the ur-
gent request of n German and
upon his pledge and that of the govern
or of Maryland that the legislature OF
Maryland would tonight pass q resolu-
ton calling upon the national govern
ment for military assistance. Lieutenant
Chaffee, commanding the general staff.
sent telegraph orders today TO Mayor
General Corbin, commanding the de-
partment of the east at New York TO
proceed forthwith to Baltimore and
lake military command of the situation
here. Nearly 1000 soldiers also have
neen ordered TO serve under him.
These troops were under rush orders
| and were expected to report to Genera
Corbin before night. 1t is expressly
stated at the war department that the
national troops are to serve as a police
force. under the direction of the Mayor
and local authorities.
Soldiers on the Way to the Stricken
City.
New York, February SIT was an
nounced tonight at the headquarters OF
the Atlantic DIVISION. on Governors
| Island that Major General II. c. Corbin.
commanding the division, will start for
| Baltimore from jersey City on a special
| train O nthe Pennsylvania road. leaving
| at $50 p. m. and arriving at 11:Eo p. m.
| Orders have been issued to the battal-
ion of the Sixteenth United states
infantry in garrison at st. Cum, DaVids
Island to proceed to Baltimore on q
| special train, leaving Jersey City at
a. m. The commands at P~lattsburs
and Madison barracks, New York. con
| sisting respectively. of battalion Of tn
Fifth and Ninth infantry, are now or
their way to Baltimore.
Legal Holiday Declared.
Baltimore, February S.IGcverroI
Warfield tonight issued a prociamatl1T
declaring the day a legal holiday i
is expected that this will be EXTENDED
for several days. or until such time as
the chaotic conditions in the business
and financial districts can be straight
ened out. This proclamation closes Al
banks and other financial institution!
and defers the payment of commerce.
paper. This action Of Governor war:
field suspends the operations or various
business contracts and greatly relieves
the complex conditions which confron
the business and financial interests.
Federal Government Offers Aid.
Baltimore. February s.-Mayor Nc
Lane today received the following tee
gram from President Roosevelt:
II share the horror Of our people a
+ba apna3IiDp catastrophe which h