The evening world., 1908-01-24
Knights of Pytllias Holding a
Jubilee When Flames Sweep
Portland, Me-, Building.
GOODNESS SAVED ALL.
Big Assemblage Notified in
Speech of Fire, Quietly
File Out to Street.

PORTLAND. Ne. Jan. "A fire
which caused a property damage of
&. 900 900 early to-day destroyed the City
Ran and police buildings and e. anger
persons. Although known as City Hail.
the building was divided between city
and county offices. while the police
building sheltered the Supreme. judicial
and Municipal courts in addition to the
police depart tInent-
Tho IRE was the worst in tho State
since the great Portland conflagrauon
Of 1886. when the city's business and
residential sections were almost COM
pletely wiped out
Death was absent from the fire.
fact considered very remarkable. as
there were more than 700 members or
the western Maine Knights OF Pythias
3ubilee gathered in the auditorium or
tho City Hall when the flames were
discovered. Only few persons were
hurt, Chief Engineer Eldridge being
the only one known to be seriously IN
1ured. and he was able to direct the
asht against the flames throughout, be-
anp supported by two assistants.
1,,a financial loss Is estimated at
n 600 900, but this sum Will not cover
the loss OF papers and documents In the
ReSstcy of Deeds. where everything
was destroyed. Other city departing is
were swept clear Of everything by the
flames, with the exception OF the City
Clerks and the City Treasurer's Of
does, the money and securities In the
latter being believed to be intact. al
though 1t will be almost impossible to
ascertain definitely unul the vaults
have cooled of sufficiently for an ex-
animation to be made.
One OF the most valuable libraries in
the State. the Greenleat law collection.
was completely destroyed. with a loss
estimated at $1,000.
When the flames were discovered
William A. Turner, chairman of the
meeting OF the Pythian body. was met
In the hallway by three men. who ao-
ouainted him with the condition OF
affairs. Coolly he entered the audi
forum and aScended the stage. inter
srupung the rites OF investiture which
were going on at the time. He calmly
told the assembled members of the
sxisting conditions, saying there wal
no need for hurry, and himself super
: vtsing a system OF orderly departure
which proved effective in averting a
panic and in bringing out more thar
200 persons without an injury.
Many left clad only in their light
xegalia, but later, when 1t was seer
that danger was not imminent, some
went back and secured their heavier
Garments. Earlier in the evening
there had been more than l,5oO persons
In the auditorium for the jubilee exer
cises. and had the fire occurred then
hacked as the hall was. many hve'
might have been lost.
When the flames communicated u
the police building. where the city jai
"a located. It was decided to liberat'
thu prisoners, and they were set Tree
These prisoners had been arrested 70
only minor offenses. The building
which was n five-story structure o
br,c,, burned up and down from tn
third floor, as did the fire In the CIT!
Hall.
Aid was summoned from Bath, Bid
aeford saco and lewiston but the lat
tar was the only city to get its appara
ms in the city before daybreak. Whei
Il arrived II was too late TO take an!
active part in the tight against tn
Ihe City Hall survived the great hr
~ $500. although II was badly gutte'
~ that time 1t was first opened II
Is5o and in 1861 was reopened atte
apterations and repairs following n
Grc of the wear before.
Insurance was carried on me prop
.r,y to the extent of $4,000, all he'll
by local firms.
seaboard Florida Limited Service.