Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1908 — INCIDENTS OF THE DISASTER [ARTICLE]

INCIDENTS OF THE DISASTER

Militia Called Out—Refugees Stream Into Bouton—Oil Explode*. As soon as the magnitude of the 'disaster was appreciated the mayor Called out the militia to guan! property and keep back the crowds. The wind blew steadily forty-five miles au hour, occasionally hitting up the pace to sixty, and whole shingles, big pieces of rags, and such objects atlame were scattered far and wide. The contents of many of the buildings In the factory district were of very inflammable character, such as tarred paper, oily rags. etc. Heaps of burning embers and a suffocating cloud of dust hurled down •cross Everett avenue by the gale, coupled with the intense beat, drove the tiremen from their posts and those famines nearest the start of the conflagration had only time to rush from their homes and save their lives, losing •11 their possessions. specttu;ulnr feattires were the burning of the spires of churches. AU the money men pos. aessed was offered teamsters to cart •way household goods, but there were few teams to be had. ’ Over Chelsea bridge Into East Boston streamed a long line of fire refugees, lugging what few household effects they were able to save. Pushcarts, drays and even baby carriages were piled high with furniture and bedding. Hundreds of persons carried huge bundles tied up In sheets. Those were mostly grayheaded women of the foreign class. One old woman staggered under a large bundle of clothes •nd bedding In the midst of which Could be seen the wondering face of a baby too frightened to cry*. So rapid was the progress of the flames that people one moment w?re

congratulating themselves on being out of danger, and the next moment were hurrying away from very imndnent peril. Suddenly there was a of the Tidewater Oil company on the waterfront burst Into flames. Thoutands of gallons of oil were soon burning and gigantic clouds of black smoke curled and rose Into the sky, making dark as night all the east end. The fine was finally stopped by Chelsea creek. The following appeal for assistance, signed by Mayor Beck of Chelsea and William E. McClintock, chairman of the relief committee, has been issued: “We have been visited by a moat terrible catastrophe. One-half the area of our city has been swept by fire. Fifteen thousand people are homeless, $12,000,000 wprth of property has been destroyed. Our business section Is almost wholly wiped out. We are in sore need. We have not lost our courage, but are applying ourselves with all our ability to the task before us. But that task Is stupendous and we ask assistance of all who are benevolently Inclined. He ■who gives quickly gives double. Subscriptions may be sent to the city treasurer, Thomas B. Frost.”