South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-17

al docks, on which was stationed
ides several Office buildings and
lte vicinity.
The damage to the elevator,
which is located near the New
York Central and Grand Trunk
railway tracks, just west of Olive
and Sample streets, Will amount
to about S225,OOO, while the
damage to the coal docks VIII
reach nearly $4,000. according
to the statements of E. II. Rey-
nolds, part owner of the ele-
vator, and officials of the rail-
wsy company.
The blaze, which was Of mys-
/ teiious origin. is supposed 90 have
started I'm tho upper part of the cIe-
vator. Mr. Reynolds. s. g. shea.
/ superintendent of the company. and
Z Fred Conklin. night watchmar. were
all present when the fire broke out.
Three possible theories were adj
vanced regarding the possible causs
of the fire. One which Nr Revnclds
appeared TO accept with some degree
of faith was that "a switching engine.
which had repeatedly passed the Gle
vator. may have sent sparks 10 the
roof iguiting IT, a second. which
he appeared to consider almost as
plausible was spontaneous combus-
ton. One leg OF the machinery.
which had been idle for q year. had
been started Monday. II merely be-
ing turned over enough TO get IL in
shape for possible need. This NAV
have caused sufficient friction 10
heat up the machinery and produce
combustion. Reynolds said.
Mysterious Origin.
But the question that produced an
answer the most suggestive or Rey-
nolds private theory was. Have
YOU any reason 10 believe it was set
afire?"
If had" Reynolds said "Tm in
such a position ] would not dare 10
say SO. ] would rather ssfy NO
But / can't say it wasn't set afre.
I because I don't know how il start
ed"
"Is there anyone who would want
TO do your company harm?" Rey-
nolds was asked.
81 wouldn't want 20 say there is.
/, but Of course we have our troubles.
the same as other concerns. 7 would
much rather believe that no one
would want 10 do such thing as
apply the match
Turn In Hull Alarm.
Mr.. Reynolds immediately turned
in an alarm. whine was answered
by the Central department and the
hose companies from che west side
of the city. Before the fre-fRhters
/ arrived. the flames had already be-
gun to shoot skyward. Fire Chief
/ Sibrel. taking notice Of the task
that lay before hm and his men.
I turned i'm general alarm which
was answered by every available
fireman in the city.
By this time the fire had gained
such great headway that the flames
Illuminated the western half OF the
city and persons from several miles
around came gathered at the scene
Of the confederation. It is estimated
, that over 1900 people visited the
scene.
Night Patrol Sergt Charles Keller
and detail ~ police. which in
cluded every officer who travels 4
beat in the west part Of tho city.
were on the job iu a few minutes
, aiding the hremen in LAYING hose.
and attempting 20 keep the thr0ug
, Of people ont ~ danger. officer
. Casey Luznv. who lives in the
vicinity Of where the fire occurred.
. probably rendered the most valuable
service by visiting several homes in
the neighb0rh0od awakening the oc-
, cupants. and caring for the livestock
lin The fields nearby besides aiding
the fromen in their work
capt shock. who is in charge Cf
i. police headquarters az night on
, learning of the fire immediately sent
the police ambulance iu charge OF
Sergt. Luther and Offcer Laskowssi.
. Mcintyre and Po0re 20 the scene.
For an hour the local 0remen.
battling under adverse conditions
and greatly Handicapped fought
valiant fight against the flames
. which seemed 20 leap just a little
higher with each stream ~ water
which was played on them.
soon the elevator became
! raging furnace and the intense heat
drove The frcmcn back far enough
so that the building could no longer
r be reached by the water. Spectators
= stautlnE nearly two blocks away
, were forced back as each gust of
wind caught the flames.
, Chief lbrei seeing the hopeless