The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-13
LOSS $4,000,
econtinued from Page one,


Continued from Page One,
blocks. mostly Of brick construction. |
The fire swept down Broadway west
to within a block of Chelsea square, |
where it seemed to be held in check |
late In the afternoon. In the mean |
time between Broadway and the
water front the southern section was
in flames. No one knew where the
fire would spring up next.
All of the firemen were in the CEN
ter of the city and a half mile square
of the residential section was in flames
and no protection available or possible.
All the money men possessed was Of
fered teamsters to cart away household
goods. but there were few teams to be
had.
Over Chelsea bridge into East Bos-
ton streamed a long line of fire refu-
gees. Juggling what few hous ehould eff
fects they were able to save. Push
carts, drays and even baby carriages
were piled high with furniture and
bedding. Hundreds of persons carried
huge bundles tied up in sheets. These
were mostly gray headed women of the
foreign class. Among these poor peo-
pie there did not seem to be any panic.
All seemed stunned by the disaster
that had wiped out their homes.
81" Cars Caught.
Several of the large tyne of cars
| used by the Boston Elevated railway in
| the East Boston tunnel and abandoned
when 1t was found necessary to shut
| off the power, were left helpless in
streets swept by the flames. In the
brick structure at the corner of Mar
gina1 and Essex streets, were stored
many trunks and other furniture
| which had to be abandoned on COM
people just as the flames broke out in
| the rear OF the building.
The greatest damage was done when
the fire reached City Hall square at
streets. The First Baptist church first
caught fire on the highest part of tie
spire. Soon the roof was in flames
and then the enbers settled down on
| the unoccupied church building OF st.
| Luke's Episcopal parish and the quar-
ters of the veteran Ffremen's associa-
| ton. The tower of the First Unitarian
| church on Hawthorne street then be-
| came enveloped in flames and in the
/ space of a few minutes every building
/ in the square with the exception of the
| City Hall building was in flames. For
| a time 1t looked as if the magnificent
City Hall structure, built of brick and
separated from all other buildings by
a wide area, might be saved. The
hope was but momentary, however, for
about 8 o'clock a tiny Pickering flame
was seen gaining Roadway under the
| coping OF the cupola. Gathering force
in the mighty wind. the flame licked
the cupola, exposed the great bell in
| the tower and crept down into the
main structure. Next the elements Sc
| cured control of the interior of the
City Hall and then the entire structure
was swept away and a dozen new
| buildings in the vicinity had ignited
| from the sparks and heat.
Within half hour in this one
square four churches and the City Hall
were levelled to the ground.
w ma oh ant
the southeast side. Down to the water
front the flames swept. Factories
along Maverick and Marginal streets
were enveloped in flames. Behind the
banks Of flames families were cut off
from help and escape. East of Shaw
NUT avenue on Maverick and Congress
streets were scores OF families burned
out and homeless who were helpless
of safety. Steadily they were forced
back by the flames which were being
hurled down upon them by the gale,
until 1t became necessary in order to
wharf frontage toward Revere Sud-
denly there was terrific explosion
and the oil tanks Of the Tide Water
Oil company, on the water front burst
into flames. Thousands of gallons of
oil we're soon burning and gigantic
clouds of black smoke curled and rose
into the sky, making 1t as night all
over the East end. The smoke was
seen as far away as Portsmouth, N. H
Measure of Relfef
The city was not formally placed I'M
der martial law, but as a result of re-
ports Of 'ooting. the entire burned Sec
ton and Its environs were patrolled by
, marines from the Charlestown navy
. yard and 16 companies Of state mill
tia, infantryn1en and artillerymen. The
, soldiers were supplied with 10 rounds
of ball cartridges. Adjutant General
! William H. Bingham OF the stan OF
Governor Guild had personal direction
of the work OF the militia. General
Bingham said the situation did not
seem to require {. proclamation IF mar
tia1 law, but that after consultation
with Mayor John e. Beck of Chelsea
stringent measures were being taken
, to prevent, as far as possible. any acts
, of vandalism.
tary tents from the state camp grounds
! at South birmingham were placed a,
. the disposal Of the relief committee
Hundreds of them were set up on the
4 public playground in Everett. an ad.
joining town, while others were erect.
: ed on open ground in the unburne6
2 portion Of Chelsea itself. 1t was cal.
' culated that these tents, each of which
r will accommodate five persons, wouit
: serve to shelter about one-half the
homeless people. Charitable organiza
ltions in Boston and other nearby
places are taking care OF the remain
4 der.
III An area IF $50 acres OF ground, repre-
v senting nearly quarter of the tota
4 of the area Of the city, marks tht
scene Of the fire.
e Early today only three persons wers
: known to have lost their lives in the
. | fire. but 1t was feared that the number
t would be increased when a search o.
. | the ruins was made. over half hun.
5 dred people were injured and many
: ware taken to the hospitals sufferfns