The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-08
Origin Is Attributed to SpOn-
taneOus Combustion.
Railroads Are Among the
Heavy Sufferers.
President Sends Force of En-
gineers to the Rescue.

Baltimore, Feb 8-There was little
sleep wor the 100000 residents of Balti-
more last night because of the terrible
confagration that started Sunday fore
noon. While there were no lives lost,
the monetary loss will probably reach
$500, 900, 900. Acres of the most valuable
property in the wholesale dry goods.
produce, lumber, shipping, railroad and
financial district have been destroyed.
Notwithstanding heroic Efforts on the
part of the local fire department. rein
forced by almost numberless firemeL
from Washington, Philadelphia, Will
mington, Newark, New Jersey, Harris
burg and New York, the fire this morn
ing was raging as furiously as it was
an hour after it originated in the cellar
of the John E. Hurst company at Lib
erty and German streets. Its origin is
said to have been spontaneous combus-
tion, but no tangible evidence to this
effect has thus far been secured.
The area of the fire district extends
from Liberty street on the west to Jones
Falls on the east, a distance of about
three quarters of mile, and from Fay
cite to Pratt street. north and SOUTH
a distance of four city blocks. In
cluded in this territory were number of
financial establishments of national re-
pute including the buildings of Alex
ander Brown & Sons, the Continental
Trust company, the offices of the Bal
timore & Ohio, the Pennsylvania Rail
way company, the Maryland, southern
&. &.Chesapeake Railroad company, several
steamship companies and a number of
leading hatters. haberdashers, etc.
The main office of the Western Union
and Postal Telegraph companies We're
deserted long before midnight. and the
buildings which they occupied are prac-
tically destroyed. Several tons of dyna-
mite were used during the day and
night to blow up buildings in an effort
to check the spread of the flames, but
even this was unavailing and the
strong wind which blew the flying en-
bers hither and thither soon ignited
other buildings.
All of the buildings of the Baltimore
newspapers, including the offices of the
Associated Press, were destroyed by
midnight Several of the publishers ar
ranged Immediately to have their ed1-
tions printed on the presses of Wash
ington papers. These editions contain
ing full and accurate accounts of the
fire. arrived here early this morning
and were delivered to their regular Gus
toners.
This morning the fire attacked the
wharves, piers and docks of the harboI
and spread toward the southeastern
section of the city.
LIKE ATLANTIC CITY BATTLE.
Philadelphia, Feb. S.-Police Captain
McCoach. who went to Baltimore II
CndfSe OF q detail OF DOucemens pNle-
graphed to Director of Public Safety
Smythe that the fire was practically
under control at a. m. Captain Nc
Coach says it was a repetition of the
Atlantic City fire battle. When the fire
men from this city reached Baltimore
they found the Baltimore f1remen fight
ing the flames from the side and rear
District Chief Waters, in charge of the
Philadelphia firemen. ordered his mer
to fight the fire from the front, in order
to head off the spread of the flames
Captain McCoach says he will bring
the Philadelphia policemen home to-
morrow morning.
WILMINGTON SENDS AID
Wilmington, Del, Feb. SIN respons,
to a request from Assistant Fire Chic
Porter of the Wilmington fire depart
ment, who is in Baltimore. two fire en-
gines. with 80 men each, were sent t
Baltimore this morning.
INSURANCE ESTIMATED AT
$50, 000. 900.
New York, Feb Sire insuranc.
brokers in this city estimate the mini
mum loss of insurance companies il
Baltimore at 10000 OO0 Losses of bis
companies are now placed at from $500
900 to $4,000, 900 each