The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-30
CROW OF ROOSTER CAVE THE ALARM Thought Fire At Market Break
 of Day S1000 LOSS SUSTAINED 125 Fowls Fall Prey to FIame-How Feathered Crew Received At. tack-Wisdom of Aged
 Cock.
 
S1000 LOSS SUSTAINED

While multitude of rescuers wrung their hands in vain, listening to tbe appealing cries of the dying, 100 chick ems and 20 gallant turkeys perished in the flames yesterday morning, when the destroyer, who is no respector of persons spread disaster in Seigeps chicken hotel, commonly known as the city market, 1819 Fourth avenue.
 Disastrous the fact that to the al- ready enormous record of calamities which has swept the country during the past month, staying over a thous- and by explosion, fire and birthstone, should be added six score more. the horror being doubly increased by the nigh standing and noble character of the celebrities who fell victims on all most the last day of the fatal 1907.
 The king of the barn yard, stripped of his regal feathers, crown a mass of ruined emeralds, was found breathing his last beside his faithful Queen Specky. Knights of the Plymouth Rock, Indian princes, veterans of the pit, ambassadors from Cochin, Templars of the Legh orn garter, and numerous others whose title need but to be mem toned to produce great lamentation, are numbered among the dead,
 At 6:15 o'clock a. m. the alarm was turned in. The fire department made a hurry rush to the scene. The flames seemed to have originated in the mar ket cooler, and in a few minutes, smoke was pouring out from every direction. Dense black smoke, curling itself suddenly toward the ceiling, doubling back toward the rear. and then suddenly sweeping down in the the sleeping ranks which moved not. unsuspecting their impending danger.
 Soon the stirling atmosphere forced many to stretch, and bat bleared eyes, With their historic danger chirp the young chicks buried themselves In mothers feathers. Old hens pecked viciously at the shapeless density cawed useless defiance, and spread their wings ready to fly at the doer of this great evil.
 Nervous young bullets awoke and set up their yells and cries for succor. As bring cockerels, opening their mouths to proclaim the rising hour, coughed and looked dazed on finding tn cir threats dry, and their eyes clouded with smoke. Great gobblers tuned their voices in petition, and raised them above the loud cry of the rabble to the ears of the disappointed rescuers on the outside.
 It was, indeed, sad hour. Before many minutes desperate lives began to beat and fiutter against their cages Cries of alarm gave place to cries of supplication. Aged hens soon lay prostrate beneath the futter of wings and stampede of feet. Death clucks in horrible agony, heads thrown back with the last gasp for breath, falling bodies, then before long, a scene Of suffocated silence. ended the days calamity.
 s At last the water quench ed the hid- den fire, and the smoke vanished, leav- ing only an undertaken on the dreary premises. But one of all the occupants of the building escaped. This was an old cock who was found with his head closely tucked under his wing, he hay ing been the only person provided with sufficient presence of mind. The old fellow went immediately into hys- terics, and Is now In a serious con- dition at local hospital.
 At least 5000 worth of stock and meat was destroyed in addition to the frightful loss of life