Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1908-08-27

Friday morning Uy Sefoidi WIN "0iS
camping on and near the grounds.
At the time the flames were In the
very center of the building and ex-
tended from the base of the main
steps to the topmost part OF the roof.
The alarm was telephoned into the
city from Dickerson's training stable.
It was evident to those present that
the large grand stand was doomed. A
bucket brigade was formed for the
protection of the amphitheater for
negroes and the dining hall. In this
way the flames were held In check un-
| til the arrival Of the fire department.
who saved the structures mentioned
with the chemical engine.
There are direct connections on the
grounds with the water works scant
mile distant. Had there been a fire
plug on the grounds and small reel
of hose at least half Of the structure
could have been saved.
LOSS S5000-INsURANcE S2666
The loss of the main amphitheater,
secretary's Office and judges stand
will aggregate $4,000 with but s266o in
surance. 1t is said that one OF the
insurance policies expired the 25rd
day Of August.
ALL INDICATIONS POINT TO INcENDIA-
RIsM.
OF the half hundred men on the
grounds at the time, all Of whom wit
messed the fire, not q single one be-
Lives but the structure was touched
of. When first discovered the flames
extended from the bottom of the main
steps on the south to the cupalo on
the apogee Of the roof.
The flames were ina path about 10
feet wide the entire distance. The
wind was from the south and whipped
the flames into wave that In few
seconds swept the entire structure.
The amphitheater and booth ground
beneath had been cleaned several Gays
previous. There were no concession
ers on the ground though several hac
intended moving in Friday. With
many the impression holds that care
lessness with match or cigarette thai
was thrown lighted on the stairway
caused the blaze.
STORY OF AN EYE WITNESS.
JIM. Wall, who with Steven Ali
son, occupy q tent on the grounds ant
have the feed privileges, was one O
the first to discover the fire. Ii
speaking of the holocaust he said:
~ was awakened little past three
J O'Clock by roaring and cracklinI
sound and the tent was all lighted up
| | called my partner, Alison, thinking
| it was wind and rain and that 1t wa
, aAs / stepped from the tent to FL
the guy ropes against strong vino
beheld the fire. 1t went from TN
bottom Of the south steps to the YER
, roof in path about Is feet wide.
"We shouted to the other men OF
the grounds as we dressed and tn
alarm was telephoned in from Dicker
sons training stable. By the time W
, reached the burning structure tn
flames had spread and we saw nothinI
, could besdone toward saving 1t.
"The wind blew the flames acros
the track to the quarter stretch burn
ing not only the secretaly's office bu
the Judges stand and several large elm
trees. The timely arrival OF the mr.
. department and the god work OF
! bucket brigade formed by the men OF
the grounds is all that saved the din
ing hall and small grand stand"
, ERECTING TEMPORARY GRAND STAND
a Under the supervision OF contractor
! Henry Meyers and John Ballew wor
has already begun on temporary gran
stands. These will consist Of rows
seats five high to be covered Win car
T yass. They will be erected both
a front Of the sib, Of the amphitheate
/, and on the quarter stretch. A nun
Q ber of large tents have been secure
l for the floral hall, rest room, etc.
=