Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-14
4 KILLED AND so INJURED
IN SHELSEA FIRE
Continued from page one).
residences, tenement bloc

ly residences, tenement blocks,
churches and public buildings.
The fire started at 10:4O o'clock
yesterday morning and was not
brought under control until 9 o'clock
last night. The manufacturing, re-
tail and tenement districts of the city
practically were destroyed, while large
portions of the residential districts
were swept by the flames.
A high wind, which at times attain
ed velocity OF sixty miles an hour,
drove the flames from block to block,
rendering efforts Of the flremen Of
Chelsea, Boston, East Boston, Charles
town, and many other cities practical
ly Of no avail.
Cinders and frebrands were carried
for blocks by the gale, and fire broke
out in remote sections Of the city,
where residents believed themselves
safe. Brands blown across to East
Boston started a fire there that de-
stroyed FIVE houses and blew up sew
eral large oil tanks. The burning Oil
resulted in cloud Of smoke which
caused midnight darkness and was
seen as far away as the New Hamp-
shire coast.
Many Persons Save Only Lives.
So rapid was the spread of the
flames thousands of persons were I'M
able to save any of their possessions.
Many barely escaped with their lives.
Churches, hospitals, banks, factor,
les, dwelling houses, tenements
stores and public buildings, including
the big city hall, were destroyed. The
path of the flames was mile and a
quarter long and three-quarters Of 4
mile broad. Practically every build
than a square mile, was destroyed.
Marines and sailors from the United
States navy yard, to the south, and the
militia from Boston were called tc
preserve order and protect furniture
and household goods of residents. In
some cases the marines were COMPEL
ed to keep the crowds back with fixed
! bayonets.
The persons believed to have been
killed are those who rushed back, de
spite the guards, to rescue forgotte-
valuables, and others who were up
able to leave their homes so rapiC
was the approach of the fire. The in
jured were firemen, policemen, ant
citizens who were overcome b.
smoke Or burned before they could
escape from the quickly approaching
| flames.
Hear Service as Churches Catch Fire
In two churches destroyed the con
gregations were listening to their pas
| tors when the buildings were envelop
ed in flames. In both instances the
preachers advised their congregations
to pass out quietly. None was in
| jured. Those attending the service
did not know that a serious fire was
spreading until their churches were il
flames.
In two hospitals destroyed the pa
tents were removed before the fire
approached the buildings. Merchants
owners Of factories and bankers were
unable to rescue records, books o.
moneys left in safes and vaults Tht
contents Of only one banks vault;
were removed before the building wa
destroyed
Many Of those in the tenement dis
tricts who were driven from thei
homes were old and crippled. On
man was removed from four differen
buildings before he finally reached
place of safety. He suffered from
paralysis, and as quickly as he wa
placed in building believed to b.
safe the flames reached it, and hi
friends were compelled to carry hin
/ farther.