The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-21
ORIGIN OF FIRE
STILL unknown .
-
Lowest Estimate of Loss at Idle
wood Fire Between $4,000
and $4,000.
ANIMALS ROAR IN TERROR
Trainers and Employees Show
Bravery i'll Getting Wild
Beasts Out.

the popular lakewood resort, which was
SO badly damaged by fire Friday night,
Will be commenced as soon az the ashes
and half burned timbers can be cleared
away. The unfortunate occurrence will
not interfere with the opening OF Idle
wood on April 24th. when the public
will have free access to all the shows
row standing.
The damage ensuing from the fire
will amount to somewhere between
$4,000 and $4,000, but 1t H. Fortunate
ly. all covered by insurance, as the.
whole place was heavily insured
through the Julian Strause & Sons
Company.
The origin OF the fire still remains
mystery but it Is thought that 1t was
ignited by a lighted cigarette carelessly
thrown away by some employe connect
ed with the various shows at the re-
sort. Had the fire started an hour
later, when every employee at lakewood
would have been in bed. the whole placa
would have been sacrificed to the
flames. The belief at first expressed
that tho blaze originated from an
electric wire was dissipated when it
was learned that the nearest charged
wire to the point at which the fire
began IL at least $50 feet away. Rumors
OF possible incendiary origin were cir
culated yesterday. but no development
In this direction appeared to substan-
tuate them.
Animals Frightened.
When discovered the flames had al
ready gained big headway. and 1t was
only by the most strenuous fighting
on the part Of the carmen, lakewood
employees and the city Fire Depart
ment that they were prevented from
devourlng the Boetock animal build
ing. which was threatened momentari-
~ BY the swlftly-moving blaze. The
hundreds OF almost priceless animals
in the Bostock building were badly
frightened as the flames crept nearer
and nearer to the building in which
they were stored and they began to
feel the unaccustomed heat. Roars OF
terror from the lions and the fierce
trumpetlng of the huge elephants re-
sounded above the almost indescrlb-
able din made by the combined noises
of men fighting the flames. shouting
orders and the removal OF furniture
and personal property from the burn
ing structure. Had 1t come to the
worst and been Impossible to save
some OF the animals, they would have
been shot in their cages. according
TO the orders OF Manager Bernard
Shultz who saw that this would be
the last resort IL it came to the ami
mails burning or their escape among
the fire. fighters.
All the Bostock employees, animal
trainers. and others, were prepared for
any emergency. Many OF the animals
rolled away from threatening doom.
The elephants, who were squealins
forth their terror, were taken to places
Of safety by Charles Miller, and view
Ing the rapidly approaching flames
threatened every moment to stampede.
Tom fallen, or Stgnor Rlnaldo as ha
Is known in show circles. entered the
passage way behind the animals cages
and drove the terrified animals into
the movable cages, pushed. forward by
the employees. Seven lions were thus
gotten into their cages. and the train.
or turned to get the leophrds into
places of safety. One Of the halt-5
crazed animals turned on him. but
was beaten into submission. when he
quietly entered the cage. In the mean
while other shrioks and roars OF agony
rose from other quarters of the build
Ing, ana it might have been forest
IRE in an African jungle from the
babel OF many noises that arose IN
terror from every side.
Through it all tho employees and train
ers preserved a calm, cool spirit, facing
the impending danger with the kno%ledge
that the safety OF the animals IN their
charge depended absolutely upon them.
and reallaing If the worst came to the
worst they could expect no outside aid
Bystanders were asked In one Instance
to help move the animals out, put o0t :
side OF some carmen, assistance WAS not
volunteered, terror Of the unknown beasts
stamping ont every bit OF former yalor.
Dog Lost Life.
Tho only life lost was q dog belonging
Ito Mr., Joyat, A ohlmpanze occMpying the
same building was saved. Tho two bulld-
l'ings occupied by the 81 ngle men and the
married. mon and tho single women were
swept away, and the occupants Messps.
Rinaldo, IA Joyat and Wilson and Nine.
Marcella, Mr., and Mrs, Charles Miller
and Mr., and Mis- Robert Milllman, We're
left without room or pillow, They We're
housed IN another POI Of the building
through the night, ana heaas TIM We're