06 May 1891
Page 1
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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
May 06, 1891
Page
1
Fire or disaster devastates an old city block, with Christ Methodist Church left a total wreck. The loss tops $700,000 as multiple landmark structures vanish in the blaze. Firefighters struggle to contain the inferno amid collapsing facades and urgent evacuations.
A fierce midnight blaze swept from Seventh to Eighth streets, destroying the Grocers' Supply and Storage Company, Pittsburg Female College, Christ Methodist Episcopal Church, and adjacent warehouses. The fire, aided by a high wind, left six-story alight blocks, forcing rescue of forty students and causing estimated losses around 750 000 dollars. Fire department struggled to contain the flames.
Firefighters from the entire department battle a massive blaze that erupts behind the Seventh street warehouse and extends toward Maddock's alley. Despite streams of water, the high storage buildings feed the flames and the Christ Church spire collapses, injuring several firefighters as smoke fills the area. The blaze forces residents to watch a costly spectacle as efforts continue to salvage nearby property.
Residents of Maddocks alley fled from wooden framed dwellings flanking the Supply store when flames or danger forced their departure. Women fainted and children cried, needing assistance to safer quarters as the night air warmed.
A major blaze tears through Seventh Avenue area causing destruction beyond the Masonic Temple fire era. Firefighters, building owners, and workers battle sparks and flames racing across roofs toward City Hall and guests at the Duquesne. Fire spreads to Arbuthnot Stephenson complex and Oppenheimer structures. water streams defend Seventh Avenue Hotel and adjacent buildings while crews scale tall roofs to fight embers and debris.
A dorm fire caused panic among students as gas flames heated walls and shattered panes. College girls fled in alarm while staff and nearby men carried out trunks and belongings. Relatives arrived from Pittsburg, hurriedly seeking missing items as chaos unfolded.
Christ Church fire thwarted salvage attempts as two articles were recovered from the ruined building though several items inside were lost. Firefighters battled the blaze with hours of effort before containment.
Flames engulfed the church interior after doors were forced, with Ex-Sheriff McCandress and Charles Hemminghouse among the first inside. McCandress saved a pulpit chair and Hemminghouse rescued the Bible before the organ collapsed onto the pulpit, the only two items saved from the blaze.
Flames ripped through Maddock alley behind Pittsburg Female College as students fled in their nightgowns. Dr Norcross and local physicians guided the evacuation to Home Hotel and nearby safe stores while trunks were moved to a shuttle lot. Some students suffered hysterics but no lives were lost.
A fire at the Adley property quickly spread through the attic and upper floors, damaging the building as residents scrambled to save valuable musical instruments from the rear by moving them forward. About four inmates remained inside as out-of-town boarders and teachers were listed, including Lillian Sutton Cannonsburg and Hattie Swayze Kelvin Canada among numerous others.
Captain Oscutt and his daughter Miss Lulu Belle Oscutt visited the St Charles Hotel to check on her classmates. The party stayed at the St Clazigs and were provided rooms for their companions. The text notes the college and church leadership with Norcross referenced.
A major blaze devastates an entire square with losses approaching three quarters of a million dollars. Most properties, including Arbuckle building and nearby firms, are insured, though some stocks and structures suffered extensive damage. The tally lists numerous buildings and businesses along Seventh Street, with the bulk covered by insurance.
A grease flood ignited a storage building causing flames to lick the structure in twenty minutes. Embers and heat spread to nearby papers and books. two feet high embers remained. A new man on night duty, Patterson, was missing after a tour. Authorities feared for two men inside.
Magistrate McKenna acted quickly as the ArBuck le building walls threatened to collapse. He helped two women trapped in a small building across the street near Penn Avenue, lifting them from an upper window before debris could harm them. One rescued woman identified as Miss Sheppard. the other’s name could not be learned.
Detectives Shore and Robinson spotted a man inside the college building acting suspiciously. He was arrested at the Central Station after refusing to give his name. A search found an umbrella a small hand glass a brush and a few other trinkets. Two Ping and a pocketbook with 200 belonging to students were reported missing.
Fire destroyed Christ Church in Pittsburgh, a landmark built after its 1854 edifice. Founded 1853 with Rev. Cookman as first pastor, the modernist church stood as a notable American religious structure. Firefighters fought from inside but were driven out by intense heat as only bare walls remained at dawn.
Report describes high winds hampering water flow and delaying fire suppression as flames enveloped area and college buildings. Firemen traced the rapid spread to the wind driven spray and delayed attack.
About an hour after ore broke out a Beilstein and Spangler stable fire was discovered in the rear of their premises. George Schmidt entered the stable and freed a trapped animal five minutes before the building burned.
On the ground, safety personnel coordinated with firefighters, directing them with decisive urgency. The scene was contained to the damaged square as responders worked to limit spread and protect surrounding structures.
Fires broke out on Smithfield Street causing alarms but quick action and voluntary help limited losses. Rognigk Brothers roof blaze drew bystanders and passers by who aided firefighters. a skylight was broken and flames spread to a flooded cellar of F G Craighead from embers. Natural gas was the principal danger after shutoff. A rear store fire at 805 Liberty Street was contained by the Fremon family who ran three hose lines. No total losses beyond insured amounts. several buildings fully insured.
George Treusch, a Select Councilman and property owner of the Bureau of Health building, had his family move to safety opposite the street. He returned to retrieve valuables when a great wall toppled, prompting the removal of the Bureau of Health debris to City Hall as danger became evident.
A front wall of the Arbuckle building collapsed on Seventh street breaking electric light wires and touching telegraph and street railway lines. Blue arcs lit up the area. A fire department horse was shocked by a broken wire, causing it to bolt and panic among onlookers.
Building inspector Brown arrives on scene to force the removal of tall rear alley walls. His day includes identifying unsafe structures and directing crews to tear down the obstructive walls to clear the area.
At two o clock the fire was brought under control after flames had destroyed property along Seventh and Benson avenues during the prior three hours.
Captain Unterbaum seized Officer Cornwall's badge after a dispute over orders during a fre incident. The confrontation led to the badge exchange as a display of authority and disciplinary action within the unit.
The final hearing on Taggart's tax bill before the Senate Finance Committee sparked a heated exchange with rail interests led by Ex-Attorney General Palmer. Pittsburg figures like George T. Oliver warned the bill would exempt toll bridges and streetcar companies, while critics argued it would create an onerous return system and burden inventories. The committee adjourned without a quorum after a four hour session, delaying a verdict as scores of opponents and supporters pressed their positions.
Harrisburg dispatch reports the Pennsylvania House as it debated the Road bill. Skinner of Fulton urged a reconsideration, accusing city members of pressuring country legislators. The Senate quickly concurred with amendments, triggering a veto effort aimed at the governor.
Judge Van Brant ruled to strike out counts that charged directors of the New Haven Railroad with acting as individuals and misusing car stoves. He held the grand jury cannot indict without sufficient evidence and that the motion to set aside the indictment should be granted.
In Lancaster on May 6 the contest panel will meet to review votes for judge between Livingston and Brubaker. Brubaker supporters say they have evidence of illegal votes, including alleged ballots for Livingston by non naturalized voters and votes for Brubaker rejected for front name marks. They vow to press for decisive action if they gain a majority on the Committee.
Harrisburg May 4 The judicial apportionment bill was debated in the House. Wherry sought to move Adams County from Cumberland but party lines held. An amendment to keep Center with Huntingdon failed, Philadelphia's two extra judges were removed, Cribbs proposed keeping Clarion with Jefferson, and any further action will follow Republican majority preferences.
Both houses approved reports from Conference Committees on three of Senator Finns street bills. The measures include creating municipal liens, amending the Pittsburg charter, and a curative bill for levy cost handling of macadam grading paving and new lanes. Bills await the Governor's action.
Chief Coates reported no firemen were seriously hurt after a major fire. The incident involved collapsing walls and dire conditions, with officials noting the danger faced by firefighters amid the blaze and the department's response.
Reports from Manipur state that the wounded Dative, said by villagers to be the actual killer of Chief Commissioner James W. Quinton, has been captured by British forces. British officials probe details. scouts followed the fugitive Regent’s trail after a cavalry detachment.
A Gisace, paish official reported to count costs for the Bake Baker ballet bill as of May 4, with Collector and Magistrate Durham presiding in Gisace.
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH from Harrisburg May 5 reports that in the House today a resolution was adopted to drop bills postponed for the present to May 15 next. Among the measures are the Constitutional convention bill and a bill on electric wires. An appropriation of 123000 is authorized for soldiers orphan schools. Also noted is a Pittburg case involving Matilda Gross MacConnell and Evalin Gross estate matters. The bill passed finally with 137 yeas and nays recorded.
A concurrent resolution aims to urge a constitutional amendment for direct election of U S Senators by voters in each state. If not objected to, it will be reconsidered Friday with promised votes to pass in the House.
The House passed a bill to create an Indional Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County designated as Court of Common No 3 providing for three judges and establishing the new court.
Special telegram from New York reports Secretary Blaine and family attend a concert as Carnegie discusses a smaller music hall for Pittsburg. Carnegie, Hanna, Damrosch and Blaine mingle in boxes. intermission scene shows broad interest in a Pittsburg festival project amid box observances.
In Thayer v Boyd the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled for ex governor Thayer. The court ousted Governor Boyd, with Judge Norval writing the opinion, Judge Cobb concurring, and Judge Maxwell dissenting. Boyd’s counsel said they will seek a supersedeas and take the case to the U S Supreme Court, arguing the naturalization question is federal.
Telegram from New York reports a Greek peddler in Oliver Street described as sick with a line of symptoms resembling leprosy. Inspector found signs of necrosis in fingers and toes and possible bone involvement. Health Department plans further testing and treatment steps.
May 4 report says coke supplies in Chicago and nearby areas are nearly exhausted. Guinois Steel Company and the Calumet 5 and Iron Company have shut furnaces for lack of fuel, and over 1,500 workers have been laid off in the Pennsylvania coke districts due to the long strike.
The United States government has instructed Minister Eagan to Chile to offer mediation between the combatants in Chile. The move aims to promote order and stability, with France and other republics noted as allies in supporting republican governance amid the internal strife.
The grand jury finds six indictments but targets O Malley and Hig Associates, not the rioters. The act is described as the will of the people, with press and public approving and experts consulted, urging no half measures and a firm verdict.
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