Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1893 — GREAT FIRE IN BOSTON [ARTICLE]

GREAT FIRE IN BOSTON

Many Lire*. Lost—A Square of Ilnilnea Houses Consumed—Load. *4.000,000. One of the most destiuctivo conflagrations in the history of Boston brokeout Friday afternoon,and before it was under control, three hours later, several of the most magnificent structures in the city were reduced t oashes. The fire started in a toy factory in the upper stories of the Ames building. Many of the employes were unable toescape. The flames spread rapidly in spite of the most heroic efforts of the fire departments of the city and county. The militia were called out by Gov. Russell to control the crowds and maintain order The number of dead and injured have not been acuratcly ascertained. The conflagration as viewed from a distance was grand. A great pall of black smoke covered that section of the city, and as darkness came on this was lighted up by the fat ic«. while occasional tongues of fire and n ng embers shot up volcano nke into the i „.>ny mass. In the immediate vicinity the scone was awful While the Ames building was burning there were repeated explosions like fireworks mingled with the hoarse shouts of firemen, the puffing of engines, the crash of falling wails, the rumble from hurrying teamsand the surgingof the vast crowds which soon gathered and rushed to and fro in everybody’s way 1 It would be Impossible to narrate all the events of this exciting night. There were valor tbat.are worthy of a more extended account than can be given here