The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-27
ANIMALS run Wild
As FIRE SWEEPS
CONEY ISLAND
One Hundred ana rorty-s1x Ssasss
Are Killed or Burn to Death
When Flames Lay Center Of
Famous Resort In Ruins.
Dreamland Is Pile Of Smoking Debris
Total Financial Loss Is Placed
At $3,OoO,Ooo.

NEW YORK, May 27.-Fire start
Ing from crossed electric wires or
from the half smoked stump Of O.
cigarette, today swept through the
center OF Coney Island, the most ex-
pensive amusement resort In the
world. Starting a few minutes after
o'clock In "Dreamland," II was be-
yond control before a watchman could
sound an alarm.
Until nearly s o'clock firemen risk
ed their lives to stop the spread Of
the flames. IL was only after they
had made final desperate stand with
tons of water pumped from the ocean
by fire boats that they got the upper
hand. The total loss will exceed
So, ,000, 900.
No fire in the history of the city
has been so replete with exciting incl
dents. One hundred and forty-six
animals were killed or burned to
death. Lives or thousands were en-
dangered when animal trainers and
caretakers, losing their heads in the
excitement, threw open cages and
permitted lions, tigers. leopards aud
balloons to race franticalfy through
the streets maddened by their burns.
A leopard and big bear were shot
by firemen block from where they
were liberated, big lion was chased
by policemen who emptied their re-
volvers into him without reaching
vital spot and then finally killed him
with an axe after he took refuge In a
long chute. A big baboon, on fire and
enraged beyond endurance, was kill
ed as he arose to his feet and turned
to give battle to firemen who were
trying to save him.
Six infants, occupants of the baby
incubators, were wrapped In bundles
Tor cotton and carried out under the
arms of Policeman j. j. Krink. They
were tenderly cared for In the Coney
Island reception hospital and will
live.
The great, Dreamland tower blazed
up like giant torch and then crum-
bied, shortly after 3 o'clock, mass
lof blackened ruins. e - ,..-;
| In the rush of the flames there
were a hundred rescues of men and
women cut on In trying TO save per
fsohn befongffigs Three men and a
girl, fishing at the end OF the big iron
pier adjoining Dreamland on the east,
were cut of by the fire. A wire cur
tain from fire boat nozzle kept the
! fire back until the police boat took
them OF. Kenneth Sutherlands widow
and her sister, Miss Anna Stuben-
board tried TO save their jewels and
money. They were cut of and car
ried over blazing roof by firemen.
Capt. Jack Bonavita, best known
lion trainer in America, while trying
to save Black Prince, his favorite
| lion, fell unconscious from smoke and
was dragged TO the street.
The fire started In the He'll Gate
scenic railway, the oldest attraction
In Dreamland. Famed by a brisk
wind IL rushed through the theateTs
and moving picture shows Then ft
swung back and ragged down botlX
sides OF the park TO S6rrats ~
big Balmer bathing pavilion, and t1@
steel steamer pier also soon we<I
ablaze.
In the Ferrarf animal building on
Surf-ave.. an attempt was made to
save the animals. Some OF the small
er ones were hurled into travelling
cages and others were roped, tied and
carried into buildings beyond the ere
zone But soon the cries of the terri
handlers and cages were thrown open
indiscriminately.
Luna Park, on the side OF Surf-ave..
the famous Bowery, and Steeplechase
Park, although In danger for a time
from the sparks, were uninjured.
Dreamland, II is said will be rebuilt,
as will Banners and the other struc-
lures destroyed.
DUBUQUE, Iowa, May 27-Fire
incendiary origin swept the lumber
districts early today, causing loss
OF more than 100000. Two men, as
yet unidentified, are under arrest
charged with being the ''firebugs.''
The greatest loss fell upon tho
Standard Lumber Co, which lost half
million. Fires started at midnight
in four different places. II was not
until after a. m. that the fires were
under control.
NATHAN W. GOODWIN DEAD.