Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 33, Number 54, 9 April 1908 — Page 2
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THE RICHMOND PALLADIU3I AND SUX-TELKCJRA3I, THURSDAY, AI'IUL ??. 1!K. 1'AGE TWO.
ried $40,000 insurance. Dougan & Co., of this citv stated today that K. M.
Campfield carried between $50,000 j and $60,000 Insurance on the building, i When asked if this insurance would j be paid over to Campfield or the re-j reiver, the representative of Dougan j & Co., stated 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 i of what they were speaking differed! as to the loss. Some said the loss!
would be more than $200,000 while othrs said it would be less..
STORY OF THE FIRE.
Five Thousand People Watched Persistent Flames.
the
SOMEFACTS 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 amount to $200,000 or more. Eight firemen are victims of the blaze, which was by far the worst occurring in i his 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 1o the cause of the blaze. One is that it. originated in the furnace room, while the other is that it resulted from spontaneous combustion caused by the overflow of oil onto mattresses stored
by the Cunningham Commission com-.
pany in the basement under its store room. As this concern had a large ptock 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 ruin. Flames Raged Fiercely. The blaze raged most, fiercely in the southwest section of the building, the. fames despite the strenuous efforts of the firemen eating their way from the basement to the roof. After the roof had been reached this flames spread downward into the sactlon 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. Tt was not until after midnight, that the blaze succeeded 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 section 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 arrived 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 i'iremeh 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 unoke and almost exhausted by their hard work. Never for a minute, how
ever, aid tne loeat lire ngniers quu thfir gigantic task, but clung to the fight vith 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 Sinnex assumed 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 every place possible for 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 everyone, it appeared that the building of 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 front it by firemen stationed in the alley which separates the two build
ings. 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 housebold goods to the street. Store Rooms Vacated. ' All of the store rooms on the ground
floor of the Colonial were quickly va-! cated. Pianos were rolled out of the j 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 office rooms on the third floor were not so successful. Smoke forced them to desist from their efforts. Not a thing was saved from the beautiful Elks, club rooms on the third floor. All the lodge records and paraphernalia were destroyed by the fire demon. The loss to the Elks will probably amount to $4,'n'. This is covered by about . $.1,000 insurance.
Scene Spectacular.
Blaze originated either in furnace room in basement or byspontaneous 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.
smoke Infected men, it is only neces- great aid and Richmond and the entire sary to visit the four fire department police and fire departments extends to houses today. The men are hollow- them their heart felt thanks far the eyed aud their cheeks are sunk. Near- j prompt response and heroic work.
ly all of them breathe like an asthmat- ;
ic, 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 toi 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.
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 i licked the north wall of this building i and hundreds of file brands showered upon it. but the gallant efforts of the firemen to save the building were sin:-! cessful. Nearly all the valuable con
tents- of the building Mere 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 people are of the opinion that Chief Miller recklessly exposed himself at the fire last night and that he T a 1, .... . . ..... ,
couiu nao uoi.e mure goou oy hv;ing out of the building and directing the movements of his men. These people do not realize that Miller ws endeavoring tn locate the source of the blaze as to make an intelUs-nt fight aauinr-t it when he was overcome by smoke.
I
GAS MAIN BURSTS.
FEATS OF DARING.
Several Not
Unnoticed porter.
by Eager Re
building was a most spectacular one. After the roof ignit'ed, 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 stam
pede. 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 concents: Dr. Martin, Dr. Herbert Loper, the Richmond Loan company,
the Indiana Ioan company, the F. M. Price Loan company, the Mary Knnis dressmaking establishment, Mr. Rife, the Elks Lodge, the Regis club. Architect John Hasecoster, Architect Mansfield, Henry I Johnson, W. C. Converse, the Metropolitan Life Insurance agency, the Telegraphers'
School, Dr. A. B. Price, B. G. Price &: Company, the Western & Southern Life Insurance agency, John Dingley, George It. Dilks. the Ada Cause 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 morning. 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 dragsed out of the burning building in a semi-consciotis state arid was taken to the Frank 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 cail to the fire chief at Dayton. Ohio, for assist- ; anoe. This was after eleven o'clock. I The fire chief at Dayton immediately , telephoned that engine company 13 and hose company 2 were sent to the Pennsylvania railroad where it awaited the arrival of a special train consisting of an engine, passenger coach, car and caboose. This delayed the department from the Ohio town for almost two hours but when I the special did arrive the fire fighting
in about forty-five minutes. Dayton is forty-tivo miles distant. The fifteen fire fighters coming to Richmond from the Ohio town, were in charge of Edward J. Madigan, assistant fire chief tit' the Dayton fire
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 live 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 cisierns and the engine had to pump v.cTter from
the basement of the burning building, there being several thousand gallons of water there. This however soon became muddy and murky and it hampered the working of the Dayton engine. The Dayton hose, there being about 1,800 feet, was also used.
"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 Willi 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 bo moved men aud boys would grab hold of it and move it. to the desired position. A reporter on the second floo-- 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 ihem to hesitate one minute even though they knew no persou could live for five minutes in such smoke. Half way up the stairs a police officer nailed the would-be rescuers and assured them that there was no one on the third floor. Then they calmly returned to i.ie 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 everything in their power to assist the badly fatigued firemen.
Lives of Firemen Were Endangered. A big gas main underneath the Sharkey Millinery company's store, bursi about one o'clock this morning and the firemen's lives were endangered until the water covered the pipe. This pievented any danger of an explosion. The flames were also as much as possible, kept away from the main. ('apt. John Clements of No. hose company was knocked unconscious by the bursting of the main. Chief Miller carried him out of the building.
MAT
DEPUTY-MARSHAL. HERE.
PETITION FOR PAULUS.
Signers Want Him Back in the partment.
De
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 understood that the City of Richmond would foot the 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 there':" Dr. Zimmerman "Sure, the city will. If it don't, charge the expense to my
account. I am Dr. . . Zimmerman."
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 he distinguished himself by his splendid work as a volunteer last
night. Like the notes of a bugle call
for the troop horse to the fray, the smell of the pungent smoke called Pau
lus 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 encouragement 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.
A. J. Freery, Ohio Official, Helped Fight Blaze. One of the men who w;is busy and rendered great aid to the lire fighters was A. J. Freery of Dayton, O., deputy state lire marshal of Ohio. No: only did he give orders which led to the control of the blaz but be himself
took a hand in the fight. Hy his efforts and orders it was plainly eon 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 in 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
ight. President Staubach gave or
ders to Fire Chief Madigan to take full
charge. Later Madigan reported that one of the Richmond firemen had giv
en him back talk, not understanding, of course, that Madigan was in control. 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 companies. He says that the city of Richmond owes them a debt of gratitude which can not be easily repaid. The work of these men, said Staubach. was great. This morning Staubach entertained the lads from Cambridge City aud Dayton. They were the city's guests and nothing was too good for the gallant lads. Other city officials worked like beavers during the night.
Rosenbloom-Buntin Hats take the lead because they are leaders OUR HATS $2.00 to $3.50
Crown full effect, not brim rolling with soi
srpiarc. u; 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 emw n, worn telescoped or indented, band edge, brim medium roll, easy to dip on front; black pearl trimmed to match; brown trimmed to match; Castor trimmed brow n, t tc. $2.00 to $3.50
Maliory Cravenetle.
The House of Fashion
Rosenbloom, Dunlin & Co. 824 Main Street Open Wednesday and Saturday Evenings.
IS IT NOT A SHAMED
HOSE COMPANY NEEDED. City Officials Say That This Fact Is Certain. "Richmond should have another hose company. The fire last night emphasized that, fact." stated George Staubach, president of the board of public works. "Richmond needs another hose co.mpany and an engine.
! The latter is needed because it was
demonstrated last night that the water pressure is not strong enough." states Mayor Schillinger. These same views
are entertained by Councilman-at-Large j H. H. Englebert. A large number of citizens share in these opinions. The i water pressure last night before the ! Dayton engine was brought into use
w as so weak that the streams could not reach the roof of the three story buildin sr.
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 Stantou. These women lost nearly everything they had in their rooms.
WALLS DANGEROUS.
Police
Guard The Sight day.
Seers To-
TENANTS WERE SLOW.
! Could Not Realize the Building Was)
Doomed. i It took some time for the tenants of I the Colonial building to grasp the fact.
1 that the Colonial building was doomed. ; j Had they acted promptly on the discov- j ery of the blaze, all the contents of the ; building could have been removed. The ! Home Telephone company realized ' that the building would be destroyed ; and everyone of the automatic phones ,
was removed in ample time.
The south wall and the west wall
of th 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 is alls in question.
PRESSURE WEAK. Dayton Man Sayu !t 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 the en-j
tire night, Engineer Lumby of Dayton, holds that it was nothing what it should be. Where the pressure was only K0 pounds it should have been 110, he 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 com
pletely filled and the streets adloining the building were covered with running water.
street nearly to South A street, were choked with people during the progress of the fire. Chief Bailey had nearly his entire force of police on dutv about the burning building. Fire
als of the building, but the First National bank averred this part of the contract had not l-en observed. The bank also asked for the appointment of a receiver. Before any action was
lines were stretched by the police and j taken on this complaint, the People's.
on
PEOPLE WERE ON ROOFS. Fight Burning Embers Falling
Houses. 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 wt t shingles would not ignite. Many anxious householders spent the night on the roofs of their homes putting out the firebrands as they fell.
the members of the force did excellent work in holding the big crowd in check. There was absolutely no hindrance to the firemen on the part of the crowd.
TRIED TO GET MONEY.
Room by
one of the Department
THE CROWD WAS OBEDIENT. Stays Behind Fire Lines That Were Stretched.
Sixth street to South Seventh
Main Eighth
street from street and
Men Forced From Store Smoke. When Howard Smith, proprietors of the Model
store stated that ihere was over two hundred dollars in the cash register In hi3 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 was erected on the site of the old Huntington hotel. It
whs 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 ago the First National bank brought suit to foreclose a mortgage given to secure a note of ?:'..00O. This amount was to have been paid out of the rent-
Loan and Trust Company of Winchester, brought suit. to foreclose a mortgage of .7o,x. and applied for a re
ceiver. The court appointed the Dick
inson Trust company as temporary receiver. Arguments for the appointment of a permanent receiver were to have been heard April 22.
VOLUNTEERS PLENTIFUL There were plenty of volunteer firmen at work last evening. Among them was Walter , Paulus, a former member of the department, who donned hii rubber coat, boots and hat as soon as he saw the proportions of the blaze was likely to assume. He Tendered excellent service. As fast as a member of the department was rendered hors du combat by the smoke, a volunteer would step Into his place and carry on the fight against the flames. Volunteers also did excellent work in saving property from the burning building.
Mrs. C. A. Brehm. V2i North Eighth street, will have special prices in a!! hats Friday and Saturday. ih2l
NOTICE BRO. ELKS. Richmond Lodge of Elks No. 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.
CAMBRIDGE TO RESCUE.
Fifteen
Did
apparatus was
The scene presented by the burning j started, niakj.
loaded and ihe train the trip to Richmond
FIREMEN EXHAUSTED.
Number of Substitutes Are on Duty Today. If one desires to see a number of
Men From That Point
Heroic Service. The Cambridge City fire department numbering about fifteen men and under the leadership of Earl Bearfoot was summoned to Richmond after eleven o'clock. All the department's
njen were sleeping at their homes in! Cambridge wben they received the ' call. They promptly responded and caught the last interurban car to Rich-; mond, bringing with them about ciev-; en hundred feet of hose. The boys fought bravely from the time of their arrival and promptly obeyed the orders that were riven them. The work;
Jamous
Shoe
thoroughly exhausted, fire scared M4jcf the Cambridge- City lads was a!
I HUMPE'S SHOE STORE - -
When YOU Ask for QUEEN QUALITY SHOES It is a reflection on your intelligence to be shown some other kind just as good. Resect it as such. Look for the Trade Mark stamped on the sole or every GENUINE QUEEN QUALITY SHOE. Only one dealer in a to-wn el thm- Tbey are baa62d in Richmond exclusively by
807 Main Street
, J mm ma mm w