Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-30
CONEY ISLAND IS
DESTROYED BY FIRE
Man-Eating Lion Escapes Into
Crowds and Is Hunted Down
by Policemen


NEW YORK. May 27.-Coney Island,
the playground OF New York. suffered
the worst fire disaster Of its history to
day Dreamland. the largest of the
amusement parks. was wiped out and
about four blocks adjoining, covered
with booths. restaurants. hotels. NOV
ing picture theaters and resorts OF varied
types. =-ere DESTROYED.
The IRE broke out at o'clock in the
morning and was not under control until
three hours and a half later. The loss
win amount to between 10000 and
x,c0o.ooo.
In all about go buildings were burned
down and perhaps 900 persons-conces-
sionarles and employes-were turned INTO
the streets, homeless and penniless. No
lives were lost
The burned area represents nearly a
third OF the entire amusement city. all
OF which would undoubtedly have gone
In the teeth OF a strong wind, but for
the fact that Coney Island. with high
pressure water system especially design
Cd for IRE protection, is better guarded
against disaster OF this kind than any
other similar resort in the world
The IRE was discovered. a tiny blaze. in
the tarre.- scanoIding OF Hell Gate
scenic railway, close TO the entrance 70
Dreamland. Twenty minutes afterward
frightened Waterman had turned in three
alarms. one after another. as fast as
his thumb could press the key
All Dreamland-ten acres Of gaudy,
closeIy-packed buildings-was one blaze
1ne flames, urged by a strong wind,
we're visible for nearly Is miles. Close
to Hell Gate" where the fire started,
was the Bostock animal show. and nearer
Jet the infant Incubator, a charity nurs-
cry, in which were six wee infants and
their attendants. The children were
taken out IN their little glass houses and
rushed out OF danger by the police
WILD ANNALS LOOSED
Then came the work OF taking out the
animals. a costly collection. including
several dangerous man-eaters. The ami
mails were in a panic.
Their roaring could be heard for many
blocks. above the cracking OF the flames
and throbbsng OF the engines The train
ers lost no time. While policemen. with
drawn revOlvers. stood at the entrance TO
guard the crowds against any beasts
that might escape. the attendants drove
their charges from their cages down the
runways into the emergency pens which
are always ready. All went well until
the transfer was nearly concluded.
Then the biggest OF the lions. in panic.
broke from his bonds. smashed his way
through the barriers and leaped into the
streets. ali packed by throng OF spec
tators-
He dived straight into the middle of
the throng.
CONSERVATION seized the multitude and
the crowd rushed peIl-men in all direc-
lions IN panic
A mounted policeman. with drawn re-
volver approached the crouching beast
in the center OF the wide avenue.
Twice he shot and missed. the lion
backing away from the glare and the
noise OF the explosions Then six more
mounted policemen lined UP in front or
the crowd and opened a fusillade.
Backing away. snarling and leaving
tran OF blood from many wounds. the
lion made his way across the avenue
into the dark wooden tunnels Of The
Rocky Road TO Dublin
THE LIONS LAST STAND.
In a black corner beneath painted
scenery OF equatorial Africa he made his
last stand
Three final voIleys were required to fin
fish him. and he sank to the ground
riddIed Ike a sieve. To make sure that
he was dead. one OF the policemen pull
ed down a FIRE axe from behind the
@~~~--~~a 49, +-@@A~A NAAS NGeASN
As soon as the crowd was assured that
the lion was no more. they rushed In and
literally tore the carcass to bits for SOU
venirs- The first man on the scene took
the tasseled tai. the three next divided
the long name and Is men fought among
themselves for the honor Of possessing
one OF his teeth.
Meanwhile. the escape OF the big lion
had cut short the work of the animal
men. and IRE was already in the, menag-
cries before their work was completed
Sixty OF the I05 animals were left to die
BY FIRE