Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-04-13
Flames Driven BY Fierce Gale
and Territory Mile and Half
Long is Devastated
BUSINESS SECTION DESTROYED
Three Lives Lost and Fifty or More
People Injured = Frantic Parents
Separated From Children and Search
in ain-Relief Measures Started by
Boston Citizens and Country is APP
psaIed to For Immediate Aid-MiIi-
tary Take Charge.

Boston, April 13.-Altho more thar
10000 people are made homeless, anc
hundreds OF buildings were destroyed
by the fire which yesterday wiped ou
third of the neighboring city OF
Chelsea, careful estimate by the in
surance adjusters today places the
property loss at approximately s5.000,-
900, on which there is insurance of $3,-
100000.
Relief work early today took a sub
stantial form and by noon the situa-
tion was well in hand. There was
clothing in abundance and temporary
shelter has been. provided for the
homeless. So bountiful was the sup
ply Of food brought in that none went
hungry.
Up to noon the number Of dead was
three and only two of the injured were
in critical condition. Following a
conference with Acting Governor Dra-
per, Chairman McClintock, Of the local
relief committee. requested the Asso-
ciated Press to make the following an
nouncement:
.The local committee has decided to
ask that all funds sent for the relief
general committee appointed by the
governor this morning, Lee, Higginson
& Co"
Boston, April 13.-An area Of $50
acres of blackened ruins, representing
nearly a quarter of the total area Of
the city, marks the scene Of the great
fire which swept thru the business Sec
ton Of Chelsea yesterday and last
night, turning 10000 people out of their
homes and causing property damage
estimated at approximately $S,OOO,000.
Today the burned area is guarded by
militiamen and marines to prevent pos
sible looting, and military regulations
prevail thruout the city. Early today
only three persons were known to have
lost their lives in the fire, but 1t was
feared the number would be increased
when search Of the ruins was made.
Over half a hundred people were in
jured, but this morning all were re-
ported to be doing we'll.
Concerted efforts toward providing
relief for the thousands of sufferers
were fairly started today. Acting Gov
ernor Draper issued call for an early
morning meeting of prominent Boston
business men to make plans for raising
funds for temporary care of the home
less. Mayor Beck has already received
offers of financial aid from many cities.
Path of the Flames.
Starting near the corner of Cypress
and Bird streets, from public dumping
ground, the blaze spread before a
northeast gale straight across the city
to the southeast. spreading out as it
until its northernly boundary
reached the eastern division of the
Boston & Maine railroad. Thence it !
extended to the junction of the rail-
road with tracks Of the Boston & AL |
bany railroad, over which it leaped. |
then swept on until checked by a small |
creek An the other side it crept along
Second street untils Broadway was
reached, then went along Essex and |
Middlesex streets to the water front at
Chelsea creek, then leaped into East |
Boston.
The distance from the point where
the fire, started to the creek is u mile
and one-half and the greatest width OF
the fire Is about half mile. Even
at the. creek the fire was not wholly
stayed, for sparks We're blown across
and set fire TO several houses and the
plant of the Standard OIL company.
The oil plant was still burning q day
break and was practically destroyed.
The burned district included large
number OF manufacturing concerns.
Dtorss. business houses. many costly