Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1887 — BARNUM BURNED OUT. [ARTICLE]

BARNUM BURNED OUT.

Tl>« Greater Part of HU Immenae Stock of Animals Destroy, d by Fire. The main building of Barnum & Bailey’s show, at Bridgeport, Conn., was entirely destroyed by fire, Sunday evening. About 10:30 o’clock an alarm was sent in, quickly followed by a general alarm, and in less than thirty minutes the big building, which was 600 by 200 feet and two stories in height, was entirely consumed. The first intimation of the fire was given by the roaring of the lions and tigers, which 899 med to realize the impending danger. Next the elephants struggled in their chains In an incredibly short time the flames swept from one end of the huge structure to the other. There were six watchmen employed on the premises, but they were helpless to check the flames. Oue of the men was in the horse building, when his lantern exploded, igniting the hay and straw. Five of the watchmen have reported, but one is missing. The upper portion of the building was filled with hay and all the paraphernalia of the areatshow. •Before the first alarm ceased sounding the whole buildiDg was enveloped in fire and no one dared to approach the building, being fearful of the crazed animals, Three elephants were burned Up and thirty-six broke from their fastenings and dashed through the sides of the burning building. Their roam and-

trumpetings and sounds of torment terrific. Six elephants and a large African hippopotamus rushed about the streets, presenting a sickening appearance. Their sides were burned and great pieces ofJksh..a foot square fell off.

Thirty elephants and one large lion made their escape and started ’off across the country toward Fairchild and Eaton. Great alarm has seized many residonta of tho-AKest, End, and they have taken refuge within their houses with windows barred. William Newman, the elephant trainer, is out of town and the keepers were not able, in the excitement, to herd the frightened animals. In the horse room where all the ring animals, trained stallions, ponies, etc. These were all burned. In the upper rooms wis re the tents, poles, seats, harness, etc., for the' entire shows and these too were all destroyed. In the cat room were the birds, monkeys, three rhinoceroses, hyenas, tigers, lions and ail the menagerie, which fell a prey to the flames. So rapid did the flames leap across the main building that the firemen made no attempt to save it, but turned their streams upon the chariot buildings and car sheds which they succeeded in saving, but the heat was so intense that t-iis was accomplised with the greatest difficulty. The total loss is estimated at $700,000, upon which there was but SIOO,OOO insurance. Before the building went down, Barnum’s agents were busy making arrangements for obtaining a new lot of attractions to supply the loss. Mr. Roth well, Mr. Barnum’s Bridgeport agent, stated that the show building would be rebuilt, but not in Bridgeport. The great show would probably go to New York City where better railroad facilities can be had. The watchman making his rounds discovered the tire and staried to give the alarm when some unknown person hit him on the bead with a blunt instrument, felling him to the ground and cutling a number of severe gashes in his head. He staggered to his feet and gave the alarm, enabling the other watchmen in the building who were preparing for bed, to escape. One of the three elephants burned was the famous sacred white elephant. The lion which the police attempted to kill at the time the fire broke out, was afterwards found, in a barn devouring a cow which he had killed. He was shot. Shendan’H Report, Lhn’enant General P. H. Sheridan’s annual report to the Secretary of War shows that at the date of the last consolidated returns the army consisted of 2,200 officers and 24.236 men, including Indian scouts. An increased number "6f deserters is reported, but the General sees no remedy for it. He recommends an increase of 5,000 in the strength of the army; the retirement of about old officere: the adoption of machine guns for the men. and the extending of all possible aid by the general government to the national guard of the various States. __