Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 33, Number 54, 9 April 1908 — Page 18
THE RICHMOND PA LLADIU 31 AND SUX-TELEORA31, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 11MXS.
.PAGE TWO.
rled $40,000 Insurance. Dougan & Co., of this city stated today that K. M.
Campfield carried between $50,000 j and $60,000 Insurance on the building, i
When asked it this insurance would be paid over to Campfield or the receiver, the representative of Dougan
& Co., Btated that this was a question j which would have to be decided. The j building was valued at $100,000. j Men who were in position to know j
of what they were speaking differed as to the Ions. Some said the loss would be more than $200,000 while othrs said it would be lesa.
STORY OF THE FIRE.
Five Thousand People Watched Persistent Flames.
the
SOME FACTS CONCERNING THE COLONIAL FIRE
A crowd of five thousand people from seven o'clock last evening until an early hour this morning watched the fire gut the big builting. The blaze originated in the basement under the store room of the Cunningham Commission company, which faces South Seventh street. Loss About $200,000. It is estimated that the loss to the building and to the tenants will nmouit to $200,000 or more. Eight fire
men are victims of the blaze, which was by far the worst occurring in this city in recent years. Five of them were victims of the smoke. One was overcome by the heat, one badly cut, and another the victim of an explosion. Origin of Blaze. There are two theories advanced as to the cause of the blaze. One is that it originated in the furnace room, while the other is that it resulted from ppontaneous combustion caused by the overflow of oil onto mattresses stored by the Cunningham Commission company in the basement under its store room. As this concern had a large stock of paints and oils the blaze was freely fed and spread rapidly. Today the beautiful big building which was erected about ten years ago and was Richmond's most modern office block, presents a most woeful appearance. The interior is practically gutted and the walls are blackened with smoke and dripping from the tons of water played upon them. Hundreds of people are standing around looking at the ruins. Flames Raged Fiercely. The blaze raged most fiercely in the southwest section of the building, the flames despite the strenuous efforts of the firemen eating their way from the basement to the roof. After the roof had been reached tha flumes spread downward into the section of the building which was untouched by the blaze raging in the Interior because of the fire-wall, which separated the store rooms occupied by the Knox Five and Ten Cent store and the Colonial Barber Shop, and which runs from Main street to the south wall of the building. Fire Over Fire-Wall.
It -was not until after mldnicht that
the Jfaze sJcroedert in . surmounting
the firewall and gutting with its fiery
tongue the interior of the building east of the fire-wall. Up to this time the
firemen had been confining their effort mainly to fighting the fire at the southwest section of the building. After the flames reached the east sec
tion of the building the firemen were
forced to direct the attack against the entire building. A hurry up call for assistance was sent, to Dayton and to Cambridge City. When Dayton hose company and engine company and the
Cambridge City hose company ar
rived it was possible to play fifteen
streams on the building, the interior of
which at this time looked like a scene from the infernal regions. The excellent work done by the out of town firemen had the desired effect and by three o'clock the blaze was well under control and only spurting up fitfully In various spots. Additional Aid. The arrival of the Dayton and Cambridge City companies was also a boon to the local firemen who were reduced in numbers by injuries and the deadly smoke and almost exhausted by their hard work. Never for a minute, however, did the local fire fighters quit their gigantic task, but clung to the fight with the tenacity of a bulldog. It was due to their heroic efforts that the buildings adjoining the Colonial were slaved from destruction. After Chief Miller had been hauled struggling from the basement of the building and placed under the care of a physician.
Assistant Chief Charles Mnnex as
sumed command of the fire fighters. Smoke Hindered Work. For hours the firemen were unable
to locate where the blaze was raging
the most owing to the heavy smoke
which rolled out of the building at ev
ery place possible tor it to escape.
Firemen were sent to the roof of the
building from that vantage spot
they fought the fire until it drove
them from their position. To every
one it appeared that the building ofj the International Harvester company, to the rear of the Colonial building would also be destroyed. This building was kept drenched with water and the flames were fought back from it by firemen stationed in the alley which separates the two buildings. After the flames spread to the east section of the Colonial the Griffin block was threatened and families who resided there quickly vacated their flats and removed their household goods to the street. Store Rooms Vacated. All of the store rooms on the ground floor of the Colonial were quickly vacated. Pianos were rolled out of the Watson piano store while the clerks and volunteers carried various assortment of goods from the Model Clothing company, the Knox Five and Ten Cent Store and the other store rooms. Tenants of office rooms on the second floor were successful in saving most of their property but the tenants of
Blaze originated either in furnace room in basement or by spontaneous combustion caused by overflowing oil in the basement under the store room of the Cunningham Commission company, which faces South Seventh street. Loss on the building estimated at $100,000. Said to be $90,000 insurance on the building. Total loss by fire, smoke and water to the tenants of the building estimated at $100,000. This loss partly covered by insurance. Blaze started about seven o'clock and at 8 o'clock this morning was entirely out. The blaze raged most fiercely in the southwest corner of the building. Combination hose and chemical wagon and an engine from Dayton, also a hose company from Cambridge City assisted in fighting the fire. Chief Miller is in a serious condition as a result of being overcome by smoke. He was dragged from the basement three times. When compelled to quit his gallant efforts to lead his men in successful fight against the blaze, he fought fiercely with those who held him. At 4:30 Chief Miller was again on the scene of the fire, but was once more forced to quit. Entire block from Main street to South A street and from South Seventh street to South Eighth street, threatened by the blaze. A terrible conflagration prevented by the successful efforts of firemen in holding the blaze within the Colonial building. The major part of the goods and furnishings of the various store rooms and offices saved and stored in Main street stores or placed on Main and neighboring streets. Entire police department called upon to hold the immense crowd in check. This was accomplished by stretching fire ropes on Main street and South Seventh street. All the furnishings and records in the Elks club and lodge rooms on the third floor are destroyed. Elks estimate the loss at about $4,000; insured for about $3,000.
I smoke infected men, it is only neces- great aid and Richmond and the entire
sary to visit the four fire department puliee and fire departments extends to
houses today. The men are holloweyed and their cheeks are sunk. Nearly all of them breathe like an asthmatic, while several of them bear bandages on their hands and arms the result of falling glass. At No. 1 hose house there are three substitutes on duty to-
j day. One or more substitutes are on
duty at each of the other three houses. It will be some time before the fire fighters entirely recover from their twelve hours of hard work last night.
them their . heart felt thanks for the prompt response and heroic work.
CRITICISMS UNJUST.
THOUGHT BUILDING DOOMED.
International Harvester Company Removed Stock. Officials and employes of the local branch of the International Harvester company, are congratulating themselves over the narrow escape of the Harvester building last night. Time after time the hungry tongues of flame licked the north wall of this building and hundreds of fire brands showered upon it, but the gallant efforts of the firemen to save the building were successful. Nearly all the valuable contents of the building were removed to places of safety so certain were the employes of the company that the building would be destroyed.
Miller Did Not Expose Himself Without Cause.
Some propL are of the opinion that Chief Miller recklessly exposed himself at the fire last night and that he could have done more good by kee;ing out or" the building and directing the movements of his men. These people do not realize that Miller was endeavoring to locate the source of the blaze so as to make an intelligent fight against it when he was overcome by smoke.
GAS MAIN BURSTS.
Were Endang
FEATS OF DARING.
building was a most spectacular one. After the roof ignited, clouds of embers and sparks lighted the heavens like a fireworks display. When the first and second floors and the roof gave under, the crash sounded like salvos of artillery. A Thrilling Moment. One of the thrilling moments of the fire was when a combination ladder, reaching from South Seventh street to the roof, collapsed under the burden of a heavy hose, and fell toward the big crowd standing outside the fire lines on South Seventh street. Cries of "the ladder is falling" and "run for
your lives," went up and a panic ensued. Fortunately, the ladder was prevented from falling to the street by telephone wires. This ended the stampede. While the ladder reclined against the wires the firemen on the
roof were left to the mercy of the flames, but it was soon placed back in
position. Cornice Fell. While two firemen were playing a stream of water into a second story window at the southwest corner of the building a large section of the heavy tin cornice fell. The firemen dropped the hose and fled for their lives. The falling cornice only missed the two men about two feet. Building's Tenants. The store rooms on the ground floor of the Colonial block were occupied by the following concerns: The Model Clothing company, the Watson Piano store, the Colonial barber shop, the Knox Five and Ten Cent Store, the Rose Sharkey Millinery company,
the Model Grocery company and the Cunningham Commission company. The various rooms on the second and third floors of the building were occupied by the following persons and concerns: Dr. Martin, Dr. Herbert Loper, the Richmond Loan company, the Indiana Loan company, the F. M. Price Ixmn company, the Mary Ennis dressmaking establishment, Mr. Rife, the Elks Lodge, the Regis club. Architect John Hasecoster, Architect Mansfield, Henry 1T. Johnson, W. C. Converse, the Metropolitan Life Insurance agency, the Telegraphers'
School, Dr. A. B. Price, U. G. Price & Company, the Western & Southern IJfe Insurance agency, John Dingley, George R. Dilks. the Ada Gause dressmaking establishment and the Celia Stanton dressmaking establishment, Schillinger on Scene. Mayor Richard Schillinger was on the scene of the fire from the time it started until day dawned this morn
ing. He was here and there and everywhere and he did much to aid in fighting the blaze. When Fire Chief Ed Miller for the third time was dragged out of the
j burning building in a semi-conscious state and was taken to the FYank
Macke. store and thence to his home. Mayor Schillinger immediately saw that there would have to be a head to take charge of the rapidly increasing blaze. While hurrying here and there, ordering the fire department as to the best of his ability, the mayor sent a call to the fire chief at Dayton, Ohio, for assistance. This was after eleven o"clock.
In about forty-five minutes. Dayton is forty-five miles distant. The fifteen fire fighters coming to Richmond from the Ohio town, were in charge of Edward J. Madigan, assistant fire chief of the Dayton lire department. Madigan in Charge. When the fire chief arrived on the scene, George Staubach. president of the board of public works, gave Madigan full charge of the fire. "That's the way to talk," said the Dayton man. He immediately took charge of the situation, and from that time he rapidly secured control of the blaze. He soon had it confined in the basement of the Knox five and ten cent store. Madigan and his men worked like Trojans. It took several minutes to get the Dayton fire engine in working order as Richmond has no fire cisterns and the engine had to pump water from
the basement of the burning building,
there being several thousand gallons of water there. This however soon be
came muddy and murky and it ham
pered the working of the Dayton engine. The Dayton hose, there being
about 1,800 feet, was also used.
Several Not Unnoticed by Eager Reporter. "That crowd about the Colonial building last night was the most orderly, good natured one that I ever saw," remarked Chief Bailey this morning at police headquarters. Only two men of the thousands of people who witnessed the fire caused the police trouble. When they were threatened with arrest they faded from view." Like most American crowds every man was willing to lend a helping hand and to take dangerous chances to save property or lives. If a hose was to be moved men and boys would grab hold of it and move it to the desired position. A reporter on the second floor of
the building witnessed an example of the daring of the average American young man. There was a cry of "A man is suffocating on the third floor." Immediately ten or fifteen young men who were helping to remove property made a dash for the stairway which leads to the third floor. The dense waves of stifling smoke which issued down the stairway did not cause them to hesitate one minute even though
they knew no person could live for
five minutes in such smoke. Half
way up the stairs a police officer halt
ed the would-be rescuers and assured
them that there was no one on the
third floor. Then they calmly return
ed to uie second floor and renewed
their work of removing property.
The police officers deserve a tribute
for the splendid manner in which they
conducted themselves at the fire. The crowd was kept away from all places
of danger and the officers did every
thing in their power to assist the bad
ly fatigued firemen.
Lives of Firemen
ered. A big gas main underneath the Sharkey Millinery company's store, burst about one o'clock this morning and the firemen's lives were endangered until
he water covered the pipe. This pie-
ented any danger of an explosion.
The flames were also as much as pos-
ible, kept away from the main. Capt. John Clements of No. U hose ompany was Knocked unconscious by
the bursting of the main. Chief Miller
carried him out of the building.
PETITION FOR PAULUS.
ZIMMERMAN WILLING.
Said He
Would Pay Expenses.
the Visitors'
When Mayor Schillinger called the chief of the Dayton fire department by long distance telephone and asked for assistance in fighting the blaze at the
Colonial building he thought it was un-1
derstood that the City of Richmond would foot tho bill for bringing the Dayton companies here. A few minutes after his conversation the Dayton chief called up and asked to speak to Mayor Schillinger, but. his honor was not to be found. He was busy elsewhere. Ex-Mayor Zimmerman answered the phone and the following conversation ensued: Dayton Fire Chief "Will the city of Richmond meet the expense of sending two of our companies thereV" Dr. Zimmerman "Sure, the city will. If it don't, charge the expense to my ficcount. I am Dr. W. W. Zimmerman."
Signers Want Him Back in the De
partment.
A petition is being circulated about
the city to have Walter Paulus reinstated as a member of the fire depart
ment. Paulus is a veteran fireman
and ho distinguished himself by hi
splendid work as a volunteer last
night. Like the notes of a bugle tall
for the troop horse to the fray, the
smell of the pungent smoke called Pau his back into "the harness" last night
He was here, there and everywhere.
He worked with the precision of the trained fire fighter and he was a
source of inspiration and encourage
ment to the younger members of the
department and to the volunteers,
Paulus was dropped from the depart
ment by a political move when the
present administration went into power.
HOSE COMPANY NEEDED.
City Officials Say That This Fact Certain.
Is
IS IT NOT A SHAME?
Women
Will Have to Do Easter Garments.
Without
Quite a number of local women will have to do without their Easter dresses on account of the fire. A number of beautiful "creations" in the dressmaking establishments of Mary Ennis, Ada Gause and Celia Stanton. These women lost nearly everything they had in their rooms.
"Richmond should have another
hose company. The fire last nigh
emphasized that fact," stated George
Staubach, president of the board of
public works. "Richmond needs an
other hose eo.mpany and an engine
The latter Is needed hecause it was demonstrated last night that the water
pressure is not strong enough," state
Mayor Schillinger. These same view-
are entertained by Councilman-at-Large H. H. Englebert. A large number of citizens share in these opinions. The water pressure last night before the Dayton engine was brought into use was so weak that the streams could not reach the roof of the three story building.
DEPUTY-MARSHAL HERE.
A. J. Freery, Ohio Official, Helped
Fight Blaze. One of the men who was busy and
rendered great aid to the lire fighters
was A. J. Freery of Davton, O., depu-
y state fire marshal of Ohio. Not on
ly did he give orders which led to the control of the blaze but he himself
took a hand in the fight. Hy his ef
forts and orders it was plainly een that he knew what, he was doing.
Freery is a young attorney of Dayton
and one of his men paid him a tribute
by saying that he was one of the
greatest fire fighters Dayton has had
n her history.
STAUBACH GIVES ORDERS.
Tells Dayton Chief to "Fire" Men
Who Talk Back.
President of the Board of Public
Works, George Staubach, was on the
scene of the fire during the entire
night. President Staubach gave or
ders to Fire Chief Madigan to take full
charge. Later Madigan reported that
one of the Klehmond tiremen had giv
en him back talk, not understanding,
of course, that Madigan was in con
trol. Staubach promptly said, "If
there is any more of that "fire" the
man who says anything."
Staubach was loud in his praises of
the work of the Richmond, as well as
the Dayton and Cambridge City com
panies. He says that the city of Rich
mond owes them a debt pt gratitude
which can not be easily repaid. The
work of these men, said Staubach, was
great. 1 his morning Staubach enter
tained the lads from Cambridge City and Dayton. They were the city's guests and nothing was too good for
the gallant lads.
Other city officials worked like beav
ers during the night.
PRESSURE WEAK. Dayton Man Says It Was Not Strong Enough. Notwithstanding the statement made from George Staubach, president cf the board of public works, that the fire pressure was good during tho entire night. Engineer Lumby of Dayton, holds that it was nothing what it should be. Where the pressure was only f0 pounds it should have been 110, h said. The many streams of water which were played on the blaze represented thousands of gallons of water from the city reservoir. The basement of the building was completely filled and the streets adjoining the building were covered with running water.
PEOPLE WERE ON ROOFS
Fight
Burning Embers Houses.
Falling on
WALLS DANGEROUS.
Police
Guard The Sight day.
Seers To
ol! ice rooms on tne tniru noor won?jThe fire chief at Dayton immediately not so successful. Smoke forced them j telephoned that engine company 13 to desist from their efforts. j aIllj hose compa:iy 2 were sent to Not a thing was saved from the beau- i the Pennsylvania railroad where it tiful Elks club rooms on the third awaited the arrival of a special train floor. All the lodge records and par- consisting of an engine, passenger aphernalia were destroyed by the fire coach, car and caboose. This dedemon. The loss to the Elks will layed the department from the Ohio
probably amount to $4,000. This la, town for almost two hours but when
The south wall and the west wall of the Colonial building looks today as though they had been bent in a vice. They are regarded as dangerous because they are apt to fall at any time. Chief Bailey had officers guarding the sight seers from these walls today. If the block is ever rebuilt it will be necessary to rebuild the two walls in question.
CAMBRIDGE TO RESCUE.
Did
Fifteen Men From That Point
Heroic Service. The Cambridge City fire department numbering about fifteen men and un-
The rain yesterday probably saved many residences in the vicinity of the fire from burning down. Embers and burning brands fell upon house tops all over the neighborhood, but the wtt shingles would not ignite. Many anxious householders spent the night on the roofs of their homes putting out the firebrands as they fell.
THE CROWD WAS OBEDIENT.
Stavs Behind Fire Lines That Were
j Stretched.
street from Sixth street to
street and South Seventh
HAT
3
Rosenbloom-Buntin Hats take the lead because they are leaders OUR HATS $2.00 to $3.50
Crown full effect, not square, brim rolling with some curl, slightly dipped front and back. All proportion in crown and brim to fit the different figures; black, cedar, brown. $2.00 to $3.50
Small shape full straight enwti, worn telescoped or indented, band edge, brim medium roll, easy to dip on front; black pearl trimmed to match; brown trimmed to match; Castor nj turned brown, etc. $2.00 to $3.50
Mallory Cravenette.
The House of Fashion
Rosenbloom, Buntin & Co.
824 Main Street Open Wednesday and Saturday Evenings.
Main Eiglyh
street nearly to South A street, were choked with people during the pro
gress of the fire. Chief Bailey had
nearly his entire forcj of police on
duty about the burning building. Fire lines were stretched by the police and the members of the force did excellent
work in holding the big crowd in
check. There was absolutely no hind
rance to the firemen on the part of the crowd.
TRIED TO GET MONEY. Men Forced From Store Room by Smoke. When Howard Smith, one of the proprietors of the Model Department store stated that there was over two hundred dollars in the cash register in his store during the earlier part of the evening, several men entered the store room and in the dense smoke tried to find the register. Their efforts were unsuccessful. They were forced out of the building by the stifling, gaseous smoke. The register was lost when the flames undermined the floor of the room.
BUILDING IN COURTS. The Colonial building waa erected on the site of the old Huntington hotel. It
one of the most modern office
buildings in this part of the stat and was, from the first, a profitable investment for its builder, E. M. Campfield.
Lately the building has figured con
siderably in the courts. Some weeks
aco the First National bank brought suit to foreclose a mortgage given to secure a note of V.f. This amount
was to have been paid out of the rent
als of the building, but the First National bank averred this part of the contract had not been observed. Tin bank also asked for the appointment of a receiver. Before any action was taken on this complaint. Ihe People's Loan and Trust Company of Winchester, brought suit to foreclose a mortgage of $7 .". and applied for a receiver. The court appointed the Dickinson Trust company as temporary receiver. Arguments for the appointment of a permanent receiver were to hae been heard April
VOLUNTEERS PLENTIFUL There were plenty of volunteer firemen at work last evening. Among them was Walter Paulus, a. former member of the department, who donned his rubber coat, boots and hat as soon as he saw the proportion of the blaz was likely to assume. He rendered excellent servic. As fast as a member of the department was rendered bors du combat by the smoke, a volunteer would step into his plare and carry on tb fight against the llamas. Volunteers also did excellent work in having property from the burning building.
Mrs. C. A. Brebm, North Eighth street, will have special prices in all hats Friday and Saturday. 0-t
NOTICE BR0. ELKS.
Richmond Lodge of Elks No. 6!. will meet at K. of P. Temple this evening at 8:00 o'clock. Business of importance. F. L. TORRENCE. E. R. E. B. CALVERT, Sec.
covered by about $3,000 insurance. Scene Spectacular. The scene presented by the burning
the special did arrive the fire fighting apparatus was loaded and the train
TENANTS WERE SLOW. Could Not Realize the Building Was Doomed. It took some time for the tenants of the Colonial building to grasp the fact that the Colonial building was doomed. Had they acted promptly on the discovery of the blaze, all the contents of the
building could have been removed. The ! the leadership of Earl Bearroot Home Tplenhone comnanv rpalirwi as summoned to Richmond after
that the building would be destroyed e'even o'clock. All the department's! and everyone of the automatic phones men were sleeping at their homes in j
was removed in ample time. j Cambridge when they received tne
calL Thev promptly responded and
r rwr'. m or
FIREMEN EXHAUSTED.
Number of
Substitutes Are Today.
on Duty
If one desires to see a number
caught the last interurban car to Rich-, raond, bringing with them about clev-; en hundred feet of hose. The boys
fought bravely from the time of their ' , : i . V .1 . 1 .I ,
i ai rivai ana prompuj uuejeu me uiu-j
of , ers that wer eivMi them- The work
fAMaizsr
When You Ask Tor QUEEN QUALITY SHOES It is a reflection on your Intelligence to be shown eome otter kind Just as good. Resect It as such. Look for the Trade Mark stamped on the sole of every GENUINE QUEEN QUALITY SHOE. Only one dealer in a town sell them. Thy are bandied In Richmond exclusively by
HUMPE'5 SHOE STORE
807 Main Street
' - - i '"j itiai. nric 7 - i started, making the trip to Richmond thoroughly exhausted, fire scared Mdjof tie Cambridge City lad 3 was aj