Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-14

known TO have lost their lives in the
would be increased when a search of
the ruins was made. Over half a hum
dred people were injured and many
were taken to the hospitals suffering
severely but this morning all the in
jured ones were reported to be doing
we'll although several still remained
on the dangerous list.
Starting near the corner Of Cypress
and Third streets, from blaze in a
pile of rags on public dumping
ground, the blaze. spread before
northeast gale straight across the city
to the southeast, spreading out as it
advanced until it's northerly boundary
reached the eastern division of the
Boston & Maine railroad Thence it ex-
tended to the junction of the railroad
with the tracks of the Boston & AL
bany railroad over which it leaped and
then swept on until checked by small
creek. On the other side it crept
along Second street until Broadway
was reached and it went along Essex
and Middlesex streets to the water
front at Chelsea creek. The distance
to the creek, is mile and half and
the width of the fire belt is about a
half mile.
Even at the creek the fire was not
wholly stayed for sparks blown across
set fire to several house and to the
plant of the Standard Oil Co The oil
plant was still burning at daybreak
and was practically destroyed. Nine
buildings were burned here Including
the pump house, storehouse, cooper
shop, office and tank rooms, the latter
containing about 5000 barrels of oil
which was also burned The loss on
the Standard Oil property was esti-
mated at 100000.
Concerted efforts toward providing
relief for the thousands of sufferers
We're fairly started today. Acting
Governor Eben S. Draper issued a call
for an early morning meeting of
score of prominent Boston business
men at the State House to make plans
for raising funds for the temporary
care of the homeless, and at about the
same hour, the citizens relief commit
tee, which was hastily formed in Chel-
sea at midnight also held meeting.
In the city of Somerville Mayor Grim
mons issued a call for mass meeting
to consider means of giving aid to the
fire sufferers. Similar action was taken
by the executive heads of other cities.
The firm of Lee. Higginson & Co. has
been designated by Acting Governor
Draper to receive subscriptions in be-
half Of the relief committee named by
him md it was announced early in the
day that checks aggregating thousands
were already on their way to the bank
ers. 1t was said that the Legislature
would also be asked during the day
to take measures for the relief of the
stricken city
There preparations for organized aid
followed hastily but nevertheless eff
fective measures. taken while the
flames We're still sweeping the city, to
afford immediate shelter and food for
| the refugees of the fire. Charitable
organizations Of Boston found places
| for many of the sufferers, schoolhouses
| and other public buildings in Boston
and other places near the stricken city
were thrown open to provide tempor-
airy lodgings, and hundreds of militar y
| tents brought from the state camp
| grounds at South birmingham served
| as a protection for other victims Of
| the fire. Acting Governor Draper, ear
| ly in the evening had authorized the
| city of Chelsea to procure provisions
| for emergency use up to any reason
able amount at the expense of the
state, and dairy and bakery companies
| generously contributed large supplies
of their products which found their
way promptly to the shivering fire
! victims,
But Notwithstanding the efforts on
all sides to render aid, there were
thousands of homeless ones who pass
ed the night wandering the streets, or
! huddled in the parks and squares
Some stood guard on few paltry odds
and ends of property saved from the
blaze, but the greater number were
without any possessions except the