Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1901 — FIRE LOSS IS $15,000,000 [ARTICLE]

FIRE LOSS IS $15,000,000

Jacksonville, Fla., Is Swept by Devouring Flames. 15,000 PERSONS HOMELESS. Th. Fir. Destroy* j3O Block* of PubUe •nd Private Building*—Hon*** Are Blown Up with Dynamite—The Military Called Ont.

The most disastrous fire In the history of Jacksonville, Fla., began Friday shortly after noon in a small factory from a defective wire, according to the best belief, and burned for nearly ten hours. In that time a property damage estimated from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 was caused, and from 10,000 to 15 000 persons rendered homeless. According to the city map 130 blocks were burned, many of them In the heart of the business and residence

section. The estimate of houses to the block is ten; hence 1,300 of them»went up in smoke. Many of the finest public and private buildings were destroyed, including hotels,, theater, churches, and residences. The casualties cannot be accurately estimated. That there were several seems to be well authenticated. Among them was that to the fire chief who sustained a bad fall. The mayor ordered all of the saloons closed, and has impressed help to clear the wreckage. After the fire the mayor said that he estimated the loss at $15,000,000, and that 10,000 to 15,000 people were homeless. The burned district reaches from Burbridge street on the north to the St. Johns river on the south, a distance of almost two miles. The width of the desolated area is thirteen blocks. Within this space practically everything is blackened ruins. On Bay street, the principal mart of trade, the Western Union Telegraph company’s building is the first building standing going west. Everything east of Laura bay is gone. At 10:15 p. m. the fire was under control, having practically burned itself out. The suburban settlements, with the exception of La Villa, were intact. La Villa is badly hurt. The extent of the damage cannot be told at present. Thousands of persons are on the streets homeless, with practically all of their worldly possessions upon their backs. The depots of the railroads, situated in the southeastern section, have been turned into temporary lodg-ing-houses and hospitals. Luckily, the weather is fine, so that there will be no suffering on that score. Meetings of the city council the commercial bodies, and the charitable institutions were called to devise ways and means for meeting the situation. It is not known yet if an appeal for help will be issued, though it is thought likely that the exigencies of the occasion will demand such action. It is hoped that an appeal can be avoided. When the fire reached Julia street it was a roaring furnace without any prospect of being put under control. The local military companies were called out to keep back the crowds and the fire department began to use dynamite to blow up houses a block from the fire and thus prevent the flames from spreading. So fierce was the blaze, however, and so strong had become the wind that millions of sparks and flying burning shingles spread over five or six blocks, setting the roofs of the houses on fire in advance of the department. Soon Senator Taliaferro’s

residence, then the adjoining houses oa that block were ablaze, and in spite of all efforts to save the Windsor and the St. James hotel, both hostelries were Quickly enveloped In flames. The city building went, the fire department building, the armory, the county court house, the clerk’s office with the county records, the Criminal court house, the city jail, the graded schools, the Catholic church and orphanage, St John's Episcopal church, and the convent All this destruction was wrought in less than four hours.