Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-29

up the beach toward the Bowcry. and
along Surf avenue.
The destruction of Stecplechase park
was Il spectacular sight. Tongues of
flames icaped hither and thither, lick
ing up the scenic railway, the raZZle
dazzle the dancing pavilion and the
horse race railway. The little wooden
horses. standing on steel tracks high
in the air, looked like the flaming
steeds Of the Nalkyrics rs they broke
into blaze. The great bell tour famed
bright beacon. seen by incoming ships
as they crcpt up the harbor in the
early dawn. The Stceplechase hotel and
scores of smaller wooden hotels which
frontcd along the western side of the
park were soon blazing.
Fire Commissioner Lanlcy. seeing
that nothing could be saved in the
park. ordered that all efforts be con-
trated ON the east side of the flaming
blocks to keep the fire getting into the
timsy buildings in the Bowcry and
thus making 4 fire trail to Drcamland
ana Lunar park. Tho firemen We're
masscd ut the entrance to the Bowery
and although 4 Japanese skating rink.
Il small dance hall and restaurant
were destroyed there, the fire was
checked at that point. The wind had.
in the meantime, switched into the
south and this favorable slant of
breeze aided the fire fighters in con-
filming the fire to seven blocks.
The alarm of fire woke up DOING
Coney Island with n start and in few
Surf avenue was damned with
excited freaks and frOlickcrs, chorus
girls, snake charmcrs. animal trainers,
amusement employes-all
the miscellaneous population of the is
land in fact. 1t seemed as though moth
ing could save the buildings of the is
land from destruction and hundreds of
the inhabitants began to remove their
household effects into the streets.
Inside the burning park all was excite
ment and confusion among the two score
employees who slept in n house near the
entrance. Carrying grips and luggage
they scurried to the street and willie the
exodus was in progress n cry went up
that San Dora, the armless and leGless
man, who eats n dozen meals day just
to show that he can do it without the
aid of arms and legs, was missing. Seiz-
ing basket, two employees hurried back
and found San Dora wriggling along tho
floor toward the door. THE wonder was
piled into the basket and though the
flames and smoke threatened to engulf
his rescners, he was carried to a hotel.
where he remarked that his escape had
been effected without the loss OF life or
limb"
The hotels burned like finder and a few
minutes sufficed to wipe them out. One
of the first to escape from his lodging
place was Francesca the fire eater. When
things are calm and placid Francesca
cats fire and breathes it forth again, all
for livelihood. Sometimes he is adver-
tised to battle in tongues of flame. But
today's conflagration was too much even
for Francesca.
The fire put many small dance halls
and bathing parlors out Of business and
many sandwich men and frankfurter pur-
veyors. who store their stands and carts
in hooks and crannies between buildings,
lost everything.
While the fire was at its height the DO.
lice heard 4 loud wall from a Gypsy for
tune teller who foresees fires and other
calamities for a consideration. His tent