The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-17

came when the whole structure was
ready to break out into a blazing mass,
the fire chief directed his men in such
a manner that not a drop of water was
wasted and not an extra draft of air
was allowed to fan the hot embers.
The fire last night was not spectacu-
lar but from the firemen's point Of view
it was one Of the hardest of the year.
Starting in the basement near the
furnace from some unknown cause and
eating its way up through the floor I'M
der the south end of the church just in
front Of the Eighth avenue entrance
the fire broke out into series of light
ming like flames licking up the wood
work and running the mammoth pipe
organ which stood directly overhead.
Decorations and statuary all over the
church were destroyed by the heat and
smoke.
The estimated loss varies. Chief Will
marth says that it will not reach over
$4,000. The chief is an experienced
judge Of fire losses and he seldom
misses the mark but last night there
were a number of articles not taken
Into consideration which were damaged
in the rear of the church by the smoke.
The actual loss on the building will be
Esma11 A section of the floor 10 feet
square was burned out and the rear
ROW of pews burned. The beams and
isupportS In this vicinity were also
kburned in such a manner that they will
tbe worthless. woodwork around the
front door and in the front of the
church was scorched and will have to
tbe replaced. The furnace was put into
bad condition but not beyond repair.
The big $4,000 pipe organ was badly
damaged.
Rather r. M. Hayden estimates the
floss at $4,000. The whole church had
sbeen refreScoed and reprinted but a
few months before by a firm from st.
Louis. This work was done at r cost
lof 5000. 1t was totally ruined and
q Ar,ko oh IN of
a larger cost The big pipe organ
(which hangs directly over the entrance
TO the church and was above the hot
test part OF the fire was damaged to an
extent Of about $1,000. The reeds are
4hought to be spoiled by the heat. This
is an immense item in the loss by heat
and smoke. Combining these losses
with the loss to the building, and the
decorations and the Statuary and 1t Is
thought that $4,000 can be reached
easily. The loss is fully covered by in
surance.
Fire Is Discovered
The fire was first discovered by Chief
Eaton of the police force, Charles
THOMPSON and Councilman H B. How
ard The men were Just returning from
a meeting of the police committee al
the city hall and while passing the
church they smelled burning pine 1t
had that peculiar fire odor and the
three men Investigated at once. On
nearing the big church they saw SHINY
issuing out of the windows, through the
doors and from under the caves Tney
turned in an alarm at once ana theh
proceeded to break in the back door
and determine the location of the hre.
chief Eaton aroused Father Hayden
<rono his bed but the latter refused &c
1aIiave that the church was on nre al
&st His home is in direct connection
Nth the church and many times PEG
Me have mistaken smoke from the Eol-
zon plant for smoke from the purnlne
church and a number of raise aIar1
have been turned in from this locat1on'
however, Dean Hayden was soon aWare
~ the fire and he dressed quickly
arousineS the family and the SISTERS oi
the Catholic school nearby
rather Hayden rushed for the aitdi
&c soon as he had dressed. AT TINS tins
ne Church was filled with smoke. Inc
ctr was suffocating and unpreatnaDie
T0aan HAYDEN was resolved TO save the
aItar service, however. and he was only
--estrained by the efforts of Chief Eator
end friends who would not allow MIN
~ enter the building. Later Wnen ehe
Ssrannen had located the exact situatlor
IF the fire and had stream OF water
onto it Father Hayden and the sisters
carried out many valuables from ths
altar and from the church.
Probably Caused by Electric Wires.
1t started near the furnace in the
nouth end of the basement. In thi:
basement was found piles of empty
boxes and excelsior which in itself il
combustible and liable at any time tC