The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-23
THREE CITIES IN
ASHES after A
DAY OF FIRES
Augusta, Ga. Suffers Z Million
Loss Last Night.
Burns 26 Blocks of Business
Houses and Homes.
HIGH WIND DRIVES FLAMES
Boy Starts $1,5OO,OOO Fire in
East Nashville, Tenn.
Paris, Tex, Feeding and Shell
tering 5000 Homeless.
Boy Starts $1,5OO,O0O Fire in
East Nashville, Tenn.
Paris, Tex, Feeding and Shell
tering 5000 Homeless.

Augusta, Ga, March 23.-Twenty
blocks in the residence section of Au-
gusta in ruins and the bare walls of
six business blocks bear testimony to-
day of the fire which yesterday de-
stroyed 700 houses. Three thousand
persons are homeless.
The fire which caused a loss esti-
mated at from s5,O0O,000 to $7,000,-
900 was brought under control early
today after it had crossed Green
street An area of about one and one
fourth square mile was ravaged by the
flames driven by a heavy gale. Fire
apparatus was sent here from Colum-
bia, Charleston, Atlanta, Macon, Sa-
vannah and Waynesboro.
Into Cotton Row.
Starting in the Dyer building at the
corner of Eighth and Broad streets
the fire spread rapidly to Cotton
row. in the rear, whipped around the
Empire Life building and then de-
stroyed block after block except the
500 square on Broad street
The flames cut path from two to
three blocks wide for eight blocks on
Broad street down to East boundary,
the end of the city. The flames leaped
across Broad street to the south side
of Elbert street and cut their way
through to Green street.
Leading citizens today began to lay
relief plans City council was called
general mass meeting of citizens was
held.
Investigate Origin.
Three companies of the national
guard patrolled the streets last night
and a strict watch was maintained
today on the devastated district.
There were many narrow escapes but
Tan Carin1ISl1y mi
firemen have been sent to the hos
pitals suffering from burns and
bruises.
Officials of the fire department be-
gan an investigation into the cause of
the fire. The twelye-story building
of the Augusta Chronicle was prac-
ticallyN destroyed. The Augusta Herald,
building also was burned. Cotton in
terests today estimated that the fire
destroyed about S2,000,0O0 worth of
cotton stored in the warehouses along
the river front.
5000 Homeless in Nashville.
Nashville, Tenn, March. 23.-Citi-
zens, civic and church organizations
of Nashville today were caring for
five thousand PERSONS made homeless
by the fire that swept over East
Nashville yesterday, destroying 500
residences, causing one death and
property loss of $1,000, 900.
National Guardsmen called out by
Governor Rye patrolled the district
today to prevent pillage and 1ooting.
Many persons were injured but none
seriously.
The blaze started from a lighted
ball of yarn thrown into a grassy va
cant lot by a boy.
Planning Mill First.
A planning mill first was destroyed.
The flames quickly spread to an ex-
tensive negro settlement where
famed by a high wind, every house
was consumed.
The conflagration then broke into
two distinct blazes, one travelling east
on Seventh street and the other down
Fifth avenue. An area of 80 blocks
were swept clean. After paralleling
each other on separate streets for
many blocks the two blazes again
joined
The fire department worked des-
perately but the gale rendered its ef-
forts useless. Streams of water turned
toward burning houses were blown
aside. The drive of the wind falling
men and children mqde = terrible din
Many Injured.
Bucket brigaues, ,.vre formed and
tons of water was thrown on buildings
at important points in an effort to
check or divert the fire. Meanwhile
ambulances dashed about picking up
injured. The flames were finally
brought under control when the wind
subsided and the fire had partially
burned itself out.