20 Mar 1890
Page 1
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Newspaper
Indianapolis Sun
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Mar 20, 1890
Page
1
Night and day crews fought to clear debris after the Bowen Merrill and Becker buildings burned. Police kept crowds back as Mayor Sullivan ordered surveys of Wasson and Sloan walls, with demolition set to remove dangerous remains and make way for newer structures.
A blood stained gas pipe fragment indicates a fatal injury. The corpse lies 22 feet from the rear, flanked by unstable Becker and Wason block walls. No permission was given to search, seen as foolhardy to attempt. It may take two or three days to recover the dead fireman.
A dozen injured firemen suffer in hospital beds as mothers and relatives tend them with care. Williams P Jones and others show signs of recovery or cautious improvement, while doctors report hope amid ongoing pain. Ed Leach Sam Neall Wm Hinesley and several others remain under careful nursing as they battle injuries from the blaze.
Early Thursday Sloan prepared to move from 65 S. Tinois St as Becker's collapsing structure threatened. Fire police and guards marked workers with Cleveland badges while a crowd watched misfits and a barrow push through the line. Sloan estimates $6,000 loss with rental disruption and uncertain insurance.
A flood of contributions arrives for fire victims and families. Donations from Atlas engines works, Kingan & Co., and local businesses push relief funds near 20 000 dollars. Journal and News funds rise, with prominent figures like James Whitcomb Riley contributing. Telegraphs of condolence pour in from cities nationwide and fire departments plan benefit events.
The Sun reports rapid growth in the Voltz fund for the fatherless Voltz children after the death of their father, fireman Tony Wolitz. Donations flow from Mrs Dougherty and others, Nordyke Marmon Co giving 100 dollars, Tucker and Dorsey 25, and Sun staff and city workers contributing generously. The Indianapolis community, including businesses and newsboys, rallies to support the widow and four young children.
A fire department procession mourns seven heroes in Crown Hill and Terra Haute, as families, friends, and neighbors grieve their deaths in the line of duty. Services honor Abner, Lowry, Black, Stormer, and others with scripture, hymn, and tribute.
The sad procession for Andrew O Cherry filled streets from his 217 Broadway home to the grave. Services at his residence were led by Rev Ford with several ministers assisting, as mourners from across the city gathered. The Knights of Pythias and G A R post led the burial rites. Cherry, 46, left a widow, an elderly mother, and two sons. He joined the fire department in 1865 and died while trying to save an alarm circuit at the Bowen Merrill building.
Tony Voltz a brave fireman is mourned as services are held at a tea house officiated by Hav C C Edwarde from Fletcher place M E church. Relatives and neighbors gather in a crowded yard as the casket is opened and a small child cries da da. Chapman post 20 G A B and the community bid farewell in sorrow for a man with seven children and a grieving widow. Buried at Terre Haute. David O RB Lowry is also reported dead from the Tuesday fire.
Poor A. Hofman and Al Hoffman among fire victims from Bowen Merrill blaze. Funeral services held with large crowds. Rev J C Peters and Rev C W Lee officiated. George Glenn also buried, with patriotic references. Also reports of mayoral arrests rumors and a Nebraska cyclone aftermath and New York storm disruption.
The Sun notes the Bowen-Merrill wall demolition involved Webb Jameson & Co with no more than six men. It covers settlements in two Williams injury cases, a Fletcher Sharpe estate cash report to Judge Taylor, and habeas corpus action over a five year old child amid guardianship disputes and old clothing prices at 81 N Penn.
Ex fire chief Webster testified at the coroner's inquest opening on Thursday. He could not detail the fire or safety of the building but noted Dougherty was an average fireman during his term and that chiefs may condemn unsafe structures. Several witnesses described fire conditions, alarms, and roof dangers while noting delays in applying water streams. The inquest adjourned to Friday due to inability to hear firemen as witnesses.
Fireman Culling confronts an insurance man amid a collapse that threatened Becker’s and Wasson buildings. Amid fear and debris, the Bowen Merrill front wall fell, others endangered, while a canal incident ends with W. W. Lee surviving a runaway horse and buggy.
The Cologne Gazette attributes Bismarck's resignation to jealousy while The Tagblatt cites issues from proposed social legislation. Major insurers represented include John Woerner, Anna Building, Altna, German American, North British and Mercantile, London Lancashire, Continental, Detroit Fire and Marine and Franklin.
A mayor ordered the Bowen Merrill building front wall to be pulled down to prevent danger. The wall toppled with a roar, debris blocked Washington Street, and fires spread to Becker and surrounding structures. Fire crews battled flames amid collapsing walls and dense smoke as residents fled and police kept crowds back.
In Loxpox on March 19 business remains partly paralyzed as fewer operators yield to miners demands. Coal supply suffers, millions endure unemployment and deprivation to aid the striking miners. On Thursday Tory MPs plan to craft relief measures.
For Indianapolis and vicinity the 24 hours ending 4 a m March 21 190 Warmer fair weather increasing cloudiness and light rains during night. Also a small ad offering watch clock cleaning and main spring replacement services with guaranteed jewelry repair and a local shop at 66 W. Wash Bates House by Louis Burgheim Co.
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