The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-19
TUSCALOOSA HAS
 MOST DISASTROUS
 FIRE IN ITS HISTORY
tContinucd from Page one)


 Messrs. Monroe and D. l.. Rosenau philo- sopnlcaliy watched the progress of tho flames that speedily devourea Sl50oaJ worth-of their property. Calmly and sto- ically they saw the walls crumble in on the largest and handsomest stock they nave ever assembled.
 Monroe Rosenau, when a newspaper man approached, remarked with grim hunor, You can state for me tomorrow that our opening next week will probably be postponed.
 MT. kosenau stated that he was aroused soon after the alarm by the telephone central, who told him that the store next door to his was on fire, and that his Was in danger. He dressed and walked 10 town. arriving even then, he says, before the fire department. When he reached the McLester Hotel corner, he saw Una, the Rosenau store was mass of flames. and that there was nothing he could do.
 Early this morning they had set them selves to the task of equipping new quar- ters preparing for the erection of a new building, adjusting losses, and starting anew.
 About 90 people are temporarily thrown out of work a a result of the fire Many of them will be at work again as soon as their employers can get established in new quarters.
 were SEOWSTtu u lldll Illle lIOn. the fire. Beautiful spring hats floated out from the store of Miss Wildman, and like toy balloons scared out of sight
 Women stood by and wept while the cruel flames destroyed the dainty crea- tions of fashion. In a few minutes thou sands of dollars worth of handsome milli nery was lost to womanldnd.
 The origin of the fire was stated by F. E. Shide, who discovered il, to be in .l,. nf Mo Raif store This was the generally accepted theory, but it is not given credence by members of the MaXwell-Raiford com pany who think that it started in an outhouse to the rear of the buildings oi Broad street.
 George Maxwell states that he left the store at Il 30 o'clock, at which time there were no indications of fire or smoke There is a furnace in the rear of the Maxwell -Raiford store, but they do not incline to the theoory that the fire began there.
 one theory advanced by some Wednes- day morning was that the Maxwell-Rai- ford store might have been burglarized and set on fire to hide the crime, but there is no evidence to this effect.
 The Rosenau company has secured the new Maxwell building, and will open business there as soon as a stock of goods can be secured, which will be rushed here from the eastern markets. Arrangements to this effect were made early this morn ing, and when people came down to see the ruins they found big sign telling of the arrangement being strung across the front of the new store building
 c. N. Maxwell of the Maxwell Raiford Jewelry company, stated that his firm will probably reopen and will announce plans later.
 Miss Wildman announced that she will open at once, and will leave tomorrow for New York to buy a new stock. She will announce her location shortly.
 Jack Hardin has secured the store re- gently vacated by the Newton-Barnes Furniture company, and is today moving into his new quarters, where he will soon be ready for business. His bakery was not damaged, and he will be able to care for his business as usual.