Year: 1872

building; IL Bmelt hke straw burning; this WAS
the main floor, near Fourteenth street; searched
the entire building, including my stable, 70 see
there was any dre there and finally


coming into the shop through window on the
east side, just above the roof Of the Museums this
was reached BY Q ladder; ! sscended the ladder
and through the crack in the iron shutter saw
nre coming up through the roof Of the Museum In
located; then went to the front door and cried
"Fire;" an ofncer came there at once from the di-
rectiOn OF Fourth avenue, and another came down
Irving place; am sure that gave


THE FIRST ALARM;


saw none OF the employees OF the Museum; the
building at the time; saw the re through the win
yels, and thought heard the voices Of men also
-'s Testimony or ANDREW ENLsoN.


I lodge at the corner OF Fifteenth street and
Museum; have been in Barnum's employ since he
started this last time. year ago last Spring; 70
on duty from six to six and half ?. M. and remain
until about eight A. M. take entire charge Of the
tinguisned except two or three, which are kept
eight persons who slept In the building, six white
men and two negroes; they slept In blankets.
some upon the door and some upon the stage
at the rear part OF the building and is reached by
q step ladder; ] think ! am in there as
S1sn ing the S o night ''s sssn see that the Ore
Is all right, the pressure OF steam right, and the
place all safe rom fire carry lantern in making
my rounds; was In the boiler room within ten min
utes OF the time discovered the smoke coming
from II and everything was safe then; did not
covered the smoke was was within ten feet @ OF the trap
door opening INTO the boiler room and was going
towards It; smoke was issuing nom cracks In the
floor over the boiler room little to the right OF the
ladder as You pass down, and also coming up to the
trapdoor, which always left open; ran down
into the boiler room and found IRE burn
1QR under the floor boards and beams
above the boiler and little distance in front OF It;
there was but little blaze when went down the
fre seemed to be running along the beams and
cracks OF the nooring the smoke was pretty thick,
and could not stay; ! was AFRAID Of being sul|o-
on the are ana then came up stairs and gave the
alarm to the men; they came to my assistance at
once and began TO throw water on the fire; after
sthr0wtng three pals Of water on the fire saw the
flames were spreading, and ran out OF the building
and gave the alarm; put couple Of shoyels Of
es Ssore s asooversd sSs s%oss nsa
been cautioned frequently about fire. and told to
keep good lookout in the boiler room and else.
water standing about on top Of the cages for use
IN case Of nre there were no other facilities for
smoking is allowed in the place, and none OF tue
men but myself 60 into the boiler room; the walls
and noor. OF the boiler room are Of brick; the
beams and nooring overhead are unprotected.


TESTIMONY OF ARNOLD wURsTER.


I am connected with Barnum's museum and
the pscperties ;r went en- TO bed between twelve and
one O'Clock this morning was walked up by some one
halooing; when got up could hear volces, and
saw that the place was full Of smoke; was on the
Third avenue side, and tried TO get over to the gi-
rafe's cage, on the other side, but could not
count Of the smoke, and ] was afraid OF the floor
burning under me- so tried to save what animals
!! could on my side Of the house; cut Ave camels
loose, got out one camel, and an elephant followed
me out; don't know how the fire occurred; swept
out the lower part Of the dressing rooms was care
full not to let any waste paper get around the steam
pipes; all the managing men OF the concern have
repeatedly cautioned me to be careful about fire.
The investigation will be continued to-day.