Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-10

@A- or stage craft, he can tender no
such sight as the occasional ~cataclysm
viii afford Even the most elaborate
scenic efforts known TO the history Of man,
whether in ancient Coliseum or modern
Hippodrome. are Insignificant compared
10 the splendor Of a first-class fire such as
Omaha experienced a few days ago.
Had some modern Nero intent simply on
causing a brilliant spectacle. deliberately
originated this fire he could not have
chosen a scene which would have afforded
better results. The burning buildings sat
in a deep valley flanked on either side by
sheer hillsides. with a viaduct at one end.
completing an a~mphitheater. Deep as the
valley is. the height Of the doomed build
inEs was such that the flames mounted
much higher than the hilltops on which
the thousands Of spectators watched the
fire
There is no human being possessed OF
the sense % sight to whom a great fire Is
not fascinating, and proof OF this. were it
needed, could be found both In the num-
bers which the spectacle drew and the
length OF tine they remained In the neigh
borhood OF the fire. The trouble began AZ
a late hour Sunday night. at a time when
most citizens have gone TO bed. and the
scene OF the fire was not the most easily
accessible spot in the city. Neither Of
these conditions deferred many. Men.
women and children came by trolley. By
motor car and on foot and most Of those
who came the first way returned, hours
later, the last
The crowd behaved after the customary
fashion OF crowds and felt the same feel
ings. There was an occasional expression
OF regret al the vast losses which everyone
E-aur m-awa ogaurwfrE krr~ Eanffvma,#a %
this sort-except IN the minds Of those par
t~eularly interested in a property way
have little weight against the pleasure OF
viewing a scene Of genuine ~brfIitanee,
Practically speaking, most Of the thou
sands who sEarmsd to the -neighborhood
experienced an emotion very near 10 joy
Walking home later 10 South Omaha or
mp Florence way, some change in emotional
quality undoubtedly occurred.
Many crept TOO near the brink. for fire
lines we're az impossibility. even had there
been policemen present in numbers suff-
eient 10 have established ana maintained
such boundaries But though -thouEhuess
people too eager to get close to the ridges
end risksd their necks, no one toppled over
and whole skins we're carried home by all.
Yet is was not a night Of pleasure for
All concerned for besides the man whose
property did burn 10 the ground there
we're hundreds Of others who stood excel
lent chance OF the same fate The hiEh
wind carried The myriad sparks a long
distance. Al a conservative estimate 800
or more small fires were started blocks
away. all OF which were put cut as soon
as begUn. HousehOlders spent a night Of
vigil on the roof tops. and for those there
vas anxiety instead o. enjoyment Of the
uluunauons. Mere bucket brigadss formed
than Omaha ever before knew, for garden
hose was well nigh Worthless anywhere In
ise vicinity Of the fire.
10 fire Omaha ever had sent scarks
flying as far and in so great quantity.
Millions Of wheat grains heated TO mean
descence went soaring away in Tie strong
Wind which blew 70 the northwest and in
a shorter radius from TIE fire the suction
out q the canon was powerful enough 10
carry hery masses Of wood Residents %
streets six and eight blocks from Twenty
eishth avsEue were occasionally startled u
have dropped IN front OF back yard or on
the roofs Of their homes. chunks Of WoOt
burning as brightly as logs In a CRATE.
The grain sparks meanume few as far az
three miles from the fire and Initiated
hundreds Of little blaEes which woulc
have developed into real fires but for M
Watchful care OF home owners some fes
men ana women. living not many block
from the fire. slept through and mex
morning wondered that they had not beei
awakened b. fire IN their oun homes
some % these had minEed feelings q
uhankfuinsss nat they had escaped nav.
ms heir homes On IRE, and regret uhai