The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-05-22
CITY TO WORK
OF CARING FOR
ITS DESTITUTE
fftree thousand Homes Burn
in ConfIagration,
ONLY ONE DEATH RESULTS
Soldiers in Charge Of Situation
Today,

ATLANTA, Ga, May 22-EstimateS
today were that from 10000 to $1,000
persons were homeless as a result OF
the fire yesterday and las. nght that
swept through approximately fifteen
blocks OF residential property ranging
from negro shackS to homes of ntluen-
tlal citizens in the northeastern section
OF the city. r. s. Rust. assistant sec
retary OF the Southeastern Underwrit-
ers association, yesterday estimated
the property loss at S,5OO0O and loss
to insurance companies S,50OOOO.
Push Relief Work.
Relief work. which was started hours
before the flames were subdued, Vas
pushed rapidly. The public safety COM
mi,tee Of the Atlanta chamber OF COM
merce, at a meeting. laid plans for han
ding the situation and later a mass
meeting called by Mayor Asa G. Cand-
Ter, was held
Preparations were made last night 10
feed 5000 OF q. Shomeless. it being be
Iicved that no more than that number
would need immediate relief. The re-
llel forces were so quickly organized
that hundreds were fed last night while
others awaited them at the auditorium
armory.
Started in Warehouse.
The fire started in a warehouse on
Decatur and Fort streets and drove
first due north and then northeast. a,
some points a block wide and at times
half a mile in width II crossed Ponce
de Leon at one point and swept down
the boulevard ior block. On the
south side OF Ponce de Leon, wide
residence street, the burned area ex-
tended from North Jackson street, some
seven blocks cas OF Pcach,ree, out al
most to the baseball park
Destitute persons from the burned
area which included negro homes and
costly residences OF whites were cared
for by the local Red Cross and the As
soclated Charities. Hundreds were fed
last night and lodging was provided IN
the auditorium armory for whites. and
the negro Odd Fellows hall for negroes
Churches, private homes and hotels
cared for hundreds OF others, Prepara
tionS were completed today to feed 5000
people
Only one person IS known to have
died as a result oi the fire. Ms BrS
sic Hodges died OF shock after her
home was destroyed Injuries from
the fire were remarkably few, police
and iitemen agreed, considering nc
magnitude OF the area swept The peo
pie fled before the flames as from m
invading army and so intense was the
heat that preceded the onward shoot.
ing tongues OF flames tha, few could
remain in houses until the flame,
reached them Hea, drove out hun.
dreds who sought to stay and save a
few more personal effects
Fire Brands Spread Blare.
Here and there fire brands sailed
ahead OF the blaze, firing houses a.
far as block ahead OF the wall oi
! fire that swept out North Jackson
street and Boulevard toward Ponce de
Leon. The scene on North Jackson
itself a part Of the better residence sec.
ton, was duplicated in a score OF other
places.
Gradually the flame, advanced north.
ward along Jackson Before them cam'
hundreds OF persons The flames grew
20 a roar when within distance oi d
block OF more. Men who had com
iorted their families with statement,
that the fire would not reach them
realized a, the last moment tha, ,heil
homes were doomed Auto trucks, eS
press wagons and every conccivabl,
vehicle from wheclhatrow to a bah,
carriage. were pressed into service
Gathering what belongings they could
the people fled.
A Race With Fire
Down the ,iuewalk, .i,hcd men car
tying whatever belongings they coul,
hurfiedly collect In the streets VI,
hicles were crowded, bearing ever
sut, OF household furniture In ,h
pell NELL dash many people ahandousl
their belongings Some placed iher
in street cars that were stalled by fall
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