Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-14
THOUSANDS VISIT Scene OF THE FIRE.
President Roosevelt Places Military and Naval Forces at Disposal of
Stricken CyWater and Sewage Systems Remain Intact Avert
ing Danger OF EpidemcLieu Gov. Draper Gives Personal
Check For SIS 000Ilomeless Children Are Cared For

ruins by daylight would result in the
discovery Of other bodies.
Early morning estimates Of the proper
ty loss did not vary greatly from those
Of last night. The total taxable proper
ty Of the city amounted to about S24.0OO,-
900 and, according to estimates by MEM
bers of the board of assessors, the prop
erty in the districts covered by the fire
was worth at least $S.OoO,OOO. The burned
district included large number of man
ufacturing concerns, stores and business
houses. many costly residences and tene-
ment blocks, churches and other valuable
public buildings. William H. Farnum, an
assistant assessor, said:
ut is impossible at this time to place
the loss accurately. The burned area ex-
tends from the Everett line on enc side
to the East Boston edge of the city on
the other, and the extent Of the fire in
cludes large portion OF the city's
wealth. At least 1000 private residences
in the Bellingham Hill section of the
city were burned to the ground. This
number does not include those houses
which were damaged on the edge of the
fires path or scores of concerns and small
business houses that were wiped out OF
existence. More than so of the city's pub
lie buildings, churches, clubs, schools. the
postoffice, banks and two hospitals were
destroyed, and these alone would bring
the loss up into the millions. 1t seems
to me that the loss will easily reach
$S,o00,0 900, and perhaps considerable
amount over these figures. A meeting Of
the board of assessors will be held short
ly and an effort will be made at that time
to accurately place the loss"
Cash to the amount of several thousand
dollars was removed from the safe in
the city treasurers office before the City
hall was burned. When it became APP
parent that the city building was in the
pathway of the flames City Treasurer
Thomas B. Frost, accompanied by City
Clerk Charles H. Reed and City Solic-
itor Harry w. James. hurried to the
treasurers office and secured the money
which was in the safe, carrying 1t to a
place Of safety. Mr.. Reed, who fingered
in his own Office to gather up papers and
books of value after the others had left,
found his exit by any of the doors cut
off by the fire. He finally made his es-
cape from the building by way of a VIM
dow on the second story. As he left the
building. flames were bursting from the
roof.
The valuables left in the safes in the
| burned business houses were guarded
from possible looters by detachments Of
marines from the Charlestown navy yard
and companies Of infantrymen and artil-
lerymen Of the State National Guard.
Martial regulations were enforced and no
one unless provided with a pass was per-
mitted to approach the ruined section.
To prevent an influx of visitors animated
only by curiosity. all approaches to the
city were guarded during the night and
only firemen, policemen and few others
having special business were allowed to
enter.
AS the dawn broke cold and gray over
the fire-swept city the first realization Of
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