Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-06
FORT WORTH SWEPT
by DISASTROUS FIRE
FLAMES STARTED IN VICINITY
OF UNION RAILROAD AND
SOON ENTIRE SOUTHERN PART
OF CITY HAD BEEN BURNED.

FORT WORTH, Texas, April B.
Starting in a barn. presumably from
carelessly thrown cigarette, fire this
afternoon destroyed property in the
southern portion of Fort Worth, con-
servatively estimated in value to the
extent of two and a half million dol
lars. caused the death of one person,
]. J. Newton, of Krum, Texas, and rem
dered several thousand persons home
less.
The fire originated at Jennings avenue
and Petersmith street, in the center OF
a fashionable residence district, and'
famed by a stiff wind, was beyond con-
troll within fifteen minutes after 1t was
discovered.
Burns Thirty-Two Blocks
Spreading to the south, it burned its
way through thirty-two blocks and con-
tinued until it had swept through the
Yards of the Texas and Pacific rail-
road. destroying the railroad buildings
and a large amount of rolling stock,
where the fire practically burned itself
out when nothing further remained In
the pathway of the flames.
Three church buildings, the Broadway
BAPTIST and Presbyterian and the SWeo-
ish chapel were among the buildings de-
stroyed. as was the Presbyterian sani-
tarium. The patients of the latter IN
stitution were all removed in safety.
The Texas and Pacific railroad suffer-
ed the largest individual loss -FOUR
teen locomotives were reduced 70 TWIST
ed masses of steel and iron, and several
hundred box cars besides the round
house and other buildings of the road
were destroyed.
Texas & Pacific officials estimate the
losses of the road at 100000, while the
damage to the church property is esti-
mated at 100000.
Towns Rush Aid
In answer to appeals for aid, special
trains bearing fire-fighting apparatus
were dispatched from Dallas and Wealth
erford Texas, but all efforts to check
the progress of the flames were without
result until the yards of the Texas &
Pacific railroad were crossed and the
reservation" a vacant lot OF ground
on the east, was reached. On the south,
the Texas & Pacific depot, stone ana
steel structure. proved bulwark winch
saved the wholesale district.
The fire-swept area tonight is being
patrolled by armed guards to prevent
footing, while the tired owners of the
burned buildings are gathering what they
can of their household effects and seek
ing shelter for the night wherever 1t can
| be secured.
The livestock building and auditorium
at the fair grounds are furnishing the
temporary abode for many, while others
are sleeping in vacant houses, and still
others have accepted the hospitality Of
Dallas and other nearby cities.
Volunteer Firemen
During the progress of the fire, thou
sands who were attracted to the scene.
were transformed into a small army of
volunteer firemen In an endeavor to res
cue the household goods OF those whose
homes were threatened. I'd.
Their efforts. however, were to little
avail, because of the rapid spread of the
\ flames the wind. which was blowing a
gale. carrying the flames for blocks at
a time ahead of the actual confagra-
ton and at one time there were nine
separate foci Of the fire.
Here and there, little knots of people
gathered, sitting by helplessly as guard
to such effects as should be saved, while
others drifted about, some laughing and
others hysterical. unable to render any
aid In staying the fires progress.
The fight was largely centered at the
depot Of the Texas and Pacific railroad
Time after time, the roof of the build
ing became ignited, but each time a
railroad employee was on hand to snuff
1t out.
Water-Bucket Gangs
While the fire was burning beyond the
Texas and Pacific depot, owners of the
buildings in the business district were
preparing to take UP the fight on their
own account hundreds of buckets OF
water being distributed Ger the build
1 ings and on roofs.
Several times the flooring or a roof OF
building would start to burn but as
| quickly would it be extinguished.
A vase here and a birdcage there,
among the debris tonight told the story
Of the rapidity of the flames rush and
even horses and buggies were caught and
had to be abandoned in the street while
its occupant ducked through by-ways to
safety.
Finally when the fire had laid waste to
the vast area, those who had been render
ed homeless, drifted back to where their
homes had been and then the scene, which
only little while ago, had been full of
tragic animation. became one OF desola-
ton and ruin.
| Practically nothing was saved from the
homes which fell victims to the fire.
| WEIGHTS TOO MICH