Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 33, Number 54, 9 April 1908 — Page 9

stalls 2 tils Fire E RICHMONB PAIXAIMUM nnia JL JL.IL AND SUN-TELEGRAM.

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Complete 1

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TO Li. XXXIII. XO.51.

FHMEMEN MAW

200,000 Damiagc Done to Collonia

LOCAL TO

Departments ol Cambridge City and Dayton Responded to Call and Rendered Efficient ServiceMost Stubborn Fire Ever Fought by the Local Department.

BULLETIN. At seven o'clock this mornfrig the fire was under complete control but the firemen are still playing water upon the ruined structure. A crowd of five thousand people from seven o'clock until an early hour this morning watched the Colonial ilock, corner of Main and South Seventh streets, gutted hy a blaze which originated in the basement under the ptore room of the Cunningham CornMission company, which faces South Seventh street. Loss About $200,000. It is estimated that the loss to the. tuilding and to the tenants will bmount to $200,000 or more. So far tis can be ascertained this loss is well covered by insurance. SeVen firemen fire victims of the blaze, which was Yy far the worst that has occurred in this city in recent years. Five of them Vere victims of the smoke. One was overcome by the heat and another Jvas badly cut by falling glass. Origin of Blaze. There are two theories advanced as to the cause of the blaze. One is that Jt originated in the furnace room, Kvhile the other is that it resulted from spontaneous combustion caused by the overflow of oil onto mattresses stored y the Cunningham Commission company in the basement under its store loom. As this concern had a large ptock of paints and oils the blaze was freely fed and spread rapidly. This Jnorning the big building, which was erected about ten years ago and was ttichmond's most modern office block, Jreents a most woeful appearance. The interior is practically gutted and the walls are blackened with smoke nd dripping from the tons of water flayed upon them. Flames Raged Fiercely. The blaze raged most fiercely in the southwest section of the building, the Fames despite the strenuous efforts of ' .... i ine nremen eating their way from 1 he i 'basement to the roof. After the roof Jiad been reached the flames spread downward into (he section of the building which was untouched by the Maze raging in the interior because rf the fire-wall, which separated the ftore rooms occupied by the Knox Five and Ten Cent store and the Colonial Harbor Shop, and which runs from Main street to the south wall of the building. Fire Over Fire-Wall, ft 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. Vp 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 the Dayton hose company and engine company ajnd the Cambridge City hose company arrived it was possible to play twelve Streams on the building, the interior of .jpr.Vich, ax this time looked like a scene

FEME UN MSTOKY

Eastern Indiana, hy

FORCE UN AM

COPE WIT

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 mfaute. 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 saved 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 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 block was threatened and all the 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 1 v' piano store while the clerks all volunteers carried various assort ment 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 wore 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 S4rt This is entirely covered by insurance. Scene Spectacular. The scene presented by the burning building was a most spectacular one. After the roof ignited, clouds of embers and sparks lighted the heavens like a fireworks display. W hen the

first and second floors and the roof coach, car aBd caboose. This degave under, the crash sounded like sal-! laved the department from th own

vos of artillery. A Thrilling Moment. One of the thrilling moments of the fire was when a combination ladder. reaching from South Seventh street to Ui roof, collapsed under th burdea of

RICII3IOXD, IXD.,

rl

Unknown Origin.

3LAZ1 a heavy hose, and fell toward the big crowd standing outside the fire lines on South Seventh strict. Cries of "the ladder is falling" ami "run for your lives." went up and a panic en sued. 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 pvp ion, . .. .... . .-. Cornice Fell. While two firemen were playing a stream of water into a second story window at the southwest corner of the ! j building a largo 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 Ixian company, the F. M. j Price Ixan company, the Mary Ennls dressmaking establishment, Mr. Rife, ; the Elks Lodge, the Regis club, Ar chitect John Hasocoster, Architect Mansfield, Henry U. 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 R. Dilks. the Ada Cause dressmaking establishment and the Celia Stanton dressmaking establishment. M ayor Richard Schillinger was on the scene of the fire from the time it I started until day dawned this morni ing. He was here and there and every where and he did much to aid in I fighting the blaze. j When Fire Chief Ed Miller for the J third time was dragged out of the I burning building in a semi-conscious slate and 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 i fire department as to the bsst of his ability, the mayor sent a call to the fire chief at Dayton. Ohio, for assistance. This was after eleven o'clock. The fire chief at Dayton immediately telephones that Engine and Truck companies 2 and 13 and an engine ami hose wagon were dispatched to the Pennsylvania railroad where it awaited the arrival of a special train consisting of an engine, nasseneer town for almost two hours but when the special did arrive the fire fighting apparatus was loaded and the train started. making the trip to Richmond j In about forty-five minutes. Dayton is Xorty-fiv miles- ditajC

THURSDAY 3IOKXIXG, APIIIL , 1W)S.

1U5L IF

Block, aze ofi The fifteen fire fighters coming to Richmond from tle Ohio town, were in charge of Edward J. Madigan. assistant fire chief of the Dayton fire department. When the fire chkf arrived on the scene, George Staubach, president of the board of public works, gave Madigan full charge of the lire. "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 S. F. Knox . and 10 cent store. Madigau and his men worked like Trojaus. It took several minutes to get the monster fire engine rn 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 became muddy and murky and it ham pered the working of the Dayton engine. The Dayton hose, there being about l.SiiO feet, also had to be used. CAMBRIDGET0 RESCUE. Fifteen Men From That Point Did Heroic Service. The, Canj.bJkigCUy,tjre'ier'rtjTieDtj numbering about fifteen men and under the leadership of Earl Bearfoot was summoned to Richmond afier eleven o'clock. All the department's men were sleeping at their homes in Cambridge when they received the call. They promptly responded and caught the last interurban car to Richmond, bringing with them about eleven hundred feet of hose. The boys fought bravely from the time of their arrival and promptly obeyed the orders that were given them. The work of the Cambridge City lads was a great aid and Richmond and the entire police and tire departments extends to them their heart felt thanks for the prompt response and heroic work. GAS MAIN BURSTS. Lives of Firemen Were Endangered. A big gas main underneath the Shar-

key millinery company's store, burst,, ines wprp stre,ched by (ne ,)oHoe an(, about one o'clock this morning and the j the members of the force did excellent firemen's lives were endangered until i work in holding the big crowd in

the water covered the pipe. This prevented any danger of an explosion. The flames were also as much as possible, kept away from the main. DEPUTY-MARSHAL HERE. A. J. Freery, Ohio Official, Helped Fight Blaze. One of the men who was busy and rendered great aid to the fire fighters ' was A. J. rreery of Dayton. O.. deputy state fire marshal of Ohio. Not on-j ly did lie give orders which led to the control of the blaz: but he himself took a hand in the fight. By 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 bis men uaid him a tri biite by saving that he was one of the greatest fire fighters Dayton has had in her history.

"" j ter. brought suit to foreclose a mortSTAUBACH GIVES ORDERS. Pae of and applied for a rej ceiver. The court appointed the DickTells Dayton Chief to "Fire" Men j inso,n Tnist company as temporary re- .. r. i , ceiver. Arguments for the appointWho Talk Back. i ! ment of a permanent receiver were to President of the Board of Public have been heard April 22. Works. George Staubach. was on thoi Pcene of the fire during the entire' VOLUNTEERS PLENTIFUL night. President Staubach gave or-j ders to Fire Chief Madigan to take full i Always Men Willing to Step in Brok-

! char&e- lj&ter Madigan reported that J 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 aa ! the Dayton and Cambridge City com : panics. He says that the city of Rkhi"

.moad. owes item, a debt of gratltuflgainst the aaesv AjolimUea also

dDF QUA

Finest in which can not be easily repaid. The J work of these men, said Staubach. was; great. This morning Staubach will en- j tertain the lads from Cambridge City j and Dayton. They will be the city's j guests as long as they remain, and j nothing will be too good for the gallant lads. Other city officials worked like beavers during the night. PRESSURE WEAK. Dayton Man Says It Was Not Strong Enough. ; Notwithstanding the statement made from George Staubach, president of the board of public works, that, the fire pressure was good during the enfire night. Engineer Lumby of Dayton, holds that it was nothing what it should be. Where the pressure was only 60 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 completely filled and the streets adjoining the building were covered with running water. . If. PEOPLE ON ROOFS. Fought Burning Embers Falling on 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 wet shingles would not ignite. Many anx ious householders spent the night oi: the roofs of their homes putting out the firebrands as the;' fell. CROWD OBEDIENT. Stays Behind Fire Lines That Were Stretched. Main .street from Sixth street to Eighth street and South Seventh 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 duty about the burning building. Fire check. There was absolutely no hind - ranee to the firemen on the part of the crowd. BUILDINGJN COURTS. Property Has Been the Subject of Legal Attacks. The Colonial building was erected on the site of the old Huntington hotel. It j was one of tJie nst modern office i V , T '"""" I was. from the first, a profitable investment for ,f9 bllaer;E. M Campfield. Lately the building has figured considerably in the courts. Some weeks a the First. National bank brought Ruit to eclose a mortgage given to seenrA a rote rf .f:'.ml Thfj amount

i was tQ havp bpen paifl out oMhe rom. p w OvPrPfimP als of the buildintr. but the First Va.!D,ClVe md" VVd5 UVe,UUme

tional bank averred this part of the 1 " ontract. had not been observed. The bank also asked fos the appointment of a receiver. Before any action was , taken on this complaint, the People's j Loan and Trust Company of Winches-' en Ranks. There were plenty of volunteer firemen at work last evening. Among them was Walter Paulus, a former member of the department, who donned his rubberoat. boots and hat as soon as he saw te proportions of the blaze was likely t assume. He ren- ' dered excellent service. j As fast " a member of the department wa? rendered hofs du combat bT ! the smoke, a volunteer would step inu nis piace ana carrj on me ngni i

W(Q)IRT

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SOMEFACTS CONCERNING THE COLONIAL FlRE

Blaze originated either in furnace room in basementor 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 $80,000 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 5 o'clock this morning was still unsubdued. 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 assist in fighting ths 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. 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 lain 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 arc destroyed. Elks estimate the loss at about $4,000; fully covered by insurance.

did excellent, work in saing property from the burning building. BIG FIRE LOSS TO TENANTS. Owing to short, space of time available it was difficult to get the losses of all the various tenants of the Colonial building. Miss Rose Sharkey, proprietor of the Sharkey Millinery store is reported to have sustained a total loss of $l,r00. The Model Department store estimates its loss at letweeri $5,000 and 1 $6,000 with about $:i,00 insurance. Yesterday this concern had th busiest day of its existence. The loss of the Knox Five, and Ten Cent store is estimated at $30,000 and is fully covered by insurance. Most of this loss resulted from water. MILLER WAS THE OF THE HOUR Three Times But Fought To Get Back. STRONG MEN, TOUCHED. HE MURMURED AND RAVED LIKE A MANIAC BETWEEN HIS ORD ERS TO MAYOR SCHILLINGER WHO ACTED AS HIS ASSISTANT. Heroism of the genuine sort wa3 1 shown by Fire Chief Edward Miller. Three times prostrated by the immense volume of smoke, the man fought to get back in command. This he did about four o'clock this morn- j ing. When he was taken out of the smouldering building the third time j jn a semi-conscious condition he raved like a maniac. At the Macke furna chair a&a peteea inter-

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QTY, vals, when hf was completely out of Iiis reason, the- man issued orders to Major Schillinger who executed them. Strong men were touched by the pathetic rcene whn strong and brave-hearted Miller mumbled Rtrange things and then in crying tones, ordered "Get at the huilding from the basement :" "No. 1 play jour hose against th Seventh Street wall:" or "My God. let me out of this; I want to get bark. I want to get bck. l me go. Let me go." Later h was taken to his home where a physician wan summoned and attended to his injuries. Fndr strenuous treatment he began to tevive and his first thought was of the burning building and informed his wife that he must get back. H could not be restrained and he left his home on the run for the pcene of the flr. When he arrived thre the sm:ill groups of men gave a cheer for thj plucky chief. Miller from the very utart to the last held his position and fought the fire in an admirable manner. His directions to his assistants were sharp and brief. He handled his man In supreme manner but notwithstanding his excellent work of directing the fight, his efforts to reach the neat of th blaze were unavailing and it wan several hours before any headway could he gained. The heroism displayed on the part of Miller was the one bis topic of conversation. TRIED TO GET MONEY. Men Forced From Store Room by Smoke. Whn Howard Smib, one of thm proprietors of the Model Department I store stated that there was over two j hundred dollars in the cash register j in his store during the earlier part of the evening, several men entered the store room and in th 'dense smoke tried to find the register. -They could not however as faeir efforts were unsuccessful. They w ereorced out of the building by the stifling, gaseous smok. The register was lost wb-n the flames undermined the floor

JelUie room.