The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-17

Famed by q thirty mile an hour
wind. the entire business section OF
Pensacola to the bayfront was threat
ened with destruction by fre for sew
eral hours yesterday morning, and that
such q conhagration was not witnessed
is due to the width of Garden street
and the valiant light made by the firs
and police departments, assisted by
citizens and about one hundred en-
ployes of the Louisville & Nashville
railroad, who had several switch en-
gines at their disposal. AS a result OF
the blaze thirteen buildings. including
the Southern Hotel were destroyed,
entailing an estimated loss Of about
$4,000, with insurance of over SIS, 900.
The fire started IN the Mt Zion church
on Alcaniz street, and it's origin is
supposed to have been sparks from a
passing switch engine, as the blaza,
when first discovered by Chief of Po-
lice Sanders, was in the cupelo. From
there II spread to Gregory street, de-
stroying five residences, then jumped
down to Garden street to the old Avery
home, thence to the Southern Hotel,
and while the fire fighting forces were
being concentrated to this point, an
other FIRE started on Tarragona street
in two-story frame building, spread
ing to the two-story brick building oc-
cupied by colored lodges. It was at
this point that the Louisville & Nash
vile railroad employees rendered such
effective service. In dozens of differ
ent places roofs caught, and Il was
only the alertness OF citizens that pre-
vented the worst fire In the history OF
Pensacola When the fires were at
last gotten under control, Chief BiclSsr
and his men. and Chief Sanders and
officers OF his department. air Of whom
had worked so hard drew a deep
breath Of relief, for during the five
or six hours Of IRE lighting they feare5
each minute that the fire would sat
from beyond their control.
FIRST ALARM AT 9s4S.
The first alarming, summoning the
trucks to fire, was sounded at e:4s.
Flames were then bursting from the
cupelo Of the Mt Zion church on Al
caniz street. Chief Of Police Sanders
was near the depot and seeing the fra
sent in call. The trucks TO respond
were just returning from a small fre
on Belmont street, and they responded
quickly, but by the time they arrived
the building was enveloped in flames,
and being famed by a very high wind.
Directing his men, Chief Bicker had
several streams Of water playing On
the building, but so intense was the
heat that they were forced back, and
the chief then sent in general alarm,
followed a few moments after with
call for the steam fire engine.
The little frame building at the
northwest corner. owned by the Pack
ard Land Co.. followed In rapid sue
cessfon by the frame building adjoin-
ing, owned by Lee Daniel and occu-
pied by J. NJ. Crona, and the large
frame buildings, known as the Bell
residences on Gregory street, and oc-
cupied by N. J. Lfllard and Mrs. Hol-
brook
Here the firemen made a determined
stand to check the fire, but It spread
to the adjoining residence, occupied
by Mrs. Hutchinson and owned By
Mrs. Katharine Watson. frequently
the residences Of Henry McGhan, A III.
Mcmillan and the Hannah home were
threatened, but the thick foliage ana
work by citizens and firemen pre-
vented the blazes getting under head
way.
1t was just at the time that these
fires were being gotten under control
that word was brought to Chief Bicker
that a FIRE had started on Garden
street. Sending Assistant Chief Riers.
to the scene with a reserve truck, the
chief continued work on the burning
homes on Gregory street, and getting
them well under control he left force
of men there under Capt. Fitzpatrick
and took the steam engine and auofter
truck to Garden street, joining Assist
ant Chief Riera-
RIOT GALL SOUNDED.
When the Southern Hotel building
fcontIn,,ed an p.oe T1.,o1