The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 1

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. FOUK O'CLOCK EDITION. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1897. VOL. 57.

NO. 25. 16 PAGES. THREE CENTS. TWENTY PERSONS INJURED.

PLATT MEN AT ALBANY. $2,500,000 BLAZE THREE ALARM NEW YORK FIRE, THE SEELEY CROWD INDICTED. CIVIL SERVICE CASE ARGUED ON APPEAL Are fighters to scurry away with their engines. Between 3 and 4 A. M.

an alarm took the department to 533 Chestnut street, where flames had broken out in the fifth story of teh building occupied by 0. S. Bunnell, wholesale stationer. The fire was extinguished with a loss of about $10,000. Shortly before '6 o'clock another flre started on the sixth floor of the big carpet store of John James Dob son, 808, 810 and 812 Chestnut street.

By hard work the flames were confined to the sixth story, but the water soaked through every floor to the basement. The store was filled with expensive carpets, rugs and upholstery and 'the loss caused by water and smoke exceeded $100,000. At 10:30 A. M. a defective flue started a flre in Cochran's oyster house, 905 Filbert street, four blocks from where the big fire was raging on the same street.

This proved to be only a minor affair, the flames being confined to the third story and the loss to $2,000. It was while almost the entire department was battling against the fire at Dobson's that an alarm was sounded from Thirteenth and Chestnut streets. Everybody in Philadelphia who heard of. an alarm from this locality Instinctively cried "Wanamaker's." The great store covers the entire block bounded by Chestnut, Market, Thirteenth and Juniper streets and as the building was constructed years ago many of the fireproof features of more modern structures are lacking. The firemen soon found, however, that the flames had attacked the block opposite Wanamaker's, on the north, separated from the big store by Market street's width of 120 feet.

When it was apparent that the block originally attacked was doomed squads of firemen, with long lines of hose, were detailed to try and save This structure, with the goods piled up within its four walls, represented a money value of over $10,000,000. Despite the efforts of the city firemen, reinforced by Wanamaker's fire brigade, the high wind prevailing forced the flames across Market street, after they had been fought off for an hour and a half. The flre first caught in the high tower on fie Market street corner. This supported a big clock and chimes which rang out every half hour. Little patches of flame made their appearance along the edge of the roof of the main structure, and the excitement among the firemen was Intense.

All knew that If the flames In Wanamaker's once got beyond control there was no telling where the conflagration would stop. There was a sigh of relief, therefore, when the anonuncement was made that beyond the destruction of the tower, the scorching of paint and woodwork on the Market street front and the cracking of the big plate glass windows, the fire would not further damage Wanamaker's. The smoke penerated almost every portion of the store and the damage to delicate goods from this cause will be heavy. Had the flames enveloped Wanamaker's nothing could possibly have prevented the destruction of scores of hig buildings on Chestnut street, which is narrow and closely built. Mr.

Wanamaker was early on the scene. At the present time he employs 4,200 people and as many of the men in this army of employes as would be of use in fighting th flames were admitted to the store. The admirable precautions that the inflammable nature of the structure had made necessary rendered the work of the trained flre brigade easy and, at the same time, effective Mr. Wanamaker said at 9:30 A. M.

"The flre is confined to the Market street end of my store and three hours after the firemen are out of the place seven eighths of the store will be ready for business." Mr. Wanamaker was apparently the least concerned man to the great crowd, as he made nie way from one part of the establishment to another, directing the movements of his employes. He does his own insurance and his loss is, therefore covered in that way. The heaviest losers aTe Hlrsch BroB. who suffer to the extent of about $400,000.

They had an immense stock on hand, as they were preparing for summer trade. Walter Htrsch a member of the firm, eald 2hat the block was fully covered by insurance. ThiB firm employed 450 hands. Hlrsch. Bros, occupied the top floors of the building, whi'ch extended from 1,309 tto 1,315, inclusive.

The building was owned by the estate of Henry C. Gibson the distiller, and was valued at about $600,000. Bl um who occupied 1,319, will lose alout $150,000 on stock; Hanscom Bros. $125 0 0 on stock; Dennett's restaurant, stock and fixtures, Stelner Ball. $50,000 MIzpah restaurant, Hiltoan's Drug company, Marshall's restaurant, $25,000 George B.

Wells, Showell Frye James Goodwin, stained glaiss, $15,000 James Dickson, heaters and ranges, $5 000 Duniap $200,000 on building and nW chlnery; Furlongs, John Wanamaker $100,000: A. McCune S. H. Shull, drugs, Budd Kite, $5,000. The toss on the buildings will reach in the neighborhood of $400,000.

Nearly all the sufferers from to day's fire are fully protected by insurance. Thrilling incidents were not wanting. While the fire was at its height an employe of the firm of Ivlns, Dietz Magee, whose building in in the block below that devastated by the flames on Market street, was overcome by the excitement and dropped dead. James Furlong, proprietor of the saloon at the corner of Juniper and Filbert street, is critically ill of pneumonia. When the flames began to eat their way to his place, a squad of firemen carried him from his sick bed into the street and he was hurriedly taken to a nearby hotel.

The excitement and shock may cost him his life. Shortly before noon a second fireman was injured. He was William Gorman, aged 32, assistant foreman of Company No. 1. He was struck by failing bricks and timbers and badly hurt about the arms and neck.

Had the flre occurred an hour or two later the results would have been appalling. The burned district is in the very heart of the business center of the city across hte way from the mammoth city hall and around the corner from the Pennsylvania railroad station. The blaze had not been under way a half hour before the thousands of employes of the destroyed business houses began flocking to the scene to begin their dally work. Many of the larger establishments, including Wana amaker'8, employed a largo number of women and girls, and had the disaster come during business hours a panic, with its consequent loss of life would have been inevitable. The streets are roped off for two blocks round and the traffic on the business streets l)as been at a standstill for hours.

DISASTROUS FIRES ELSEWHERE. A. Sleighing Party Falls Fifty Feet Into a Quarry. Altoona, January 26 About 10 o'clock last night a sleighing party of forty persons from Tyrone drove into a quarry at Pem berton, six mlle3 below that place. The sled, horses and pleasure seekers were precipitated fifty feet to the bottom of a precipice where they lay in a great mass.

Twenty persons were injured. As soon as the news reached Tyrone a train was fitted out by the Pennsylvania railroad company and all the doctors in the town were conveyed to the scene of the catastrophe. The party was mostly made up of young people. Boys and girls with arms and legs broken and with blood streaming from their wounds lay In drifts of snow. The mercury stood at 3 degrees below zero, adding to the suffering of the wounded.

The following is a partial list of the injured: Alice Hadden of Little Washington, Jessie Stone, Bellefonte; Eugene Crampton, Tyrone; William Jones, Tyrone; Howard Templeton, Tyrone. These are all badly hurt. It is not known whether any of the party will die. VEEDI0T FOR RESHAM. HE SUED THE CITY OF BROOKLYN FOR $13,751.

He Recovered the Full Amoant Claimed. He Is Walter Q. resham's Nephew. Before Judge Maddox and a jury In the supremo court to day was tried a suit brought by James Gresham, a nepftew of the lete W. Q.

Gresham and a widely known Inventor and manufacturer, against the City of Brooklyn for $13,751.50 for damages to his experimental laboratory, 192 to 200 Sixth street, a building a hundred feet square, by the bursting of a sewer and flooding of the premises at three separate times. Towns McCrossin were counsel for the plaintiff. The case was not defended by the city and Justice Maddox ordered an inquest to be taken. The city's answer was insufficient knowledge. The evidence showed that there was a sewer built In Third avenue, between Third and Sixth streets, through Third avenue connecting with a main sewer at Third avenue and Seventh street.

This sewer was connected at Sixth street and Third avenue with a sewer running part way down Sixth street, passing plaintiff's premises. These sewers did not carry off the sewage which accumulated, owing, it is alleged, to Improper construction, the main sower or outlet not having been constructed in accordance with tbo original plans. Water boiled out of the Third and Sixth street sewer manholes from Eighth street to past Sixth street. This took place on September 8, 1894; on September 19, 1894, and on January 26. 1895.

Through the basement windows, that were even with the sidewalk, in September, Mr. Gresham testified, sewage flowed for hours, ruining parts of the engine, the concrete, undermining the building and washing out the area wall. In the January. 1893, flooding acetate lead soap was destroyed valued at $3,320, several tons of putty 15,000 pounds of secretly prepared beeswax; worth $375, and other stores. Mr.

Gresham testified that he had notified the city works de partment of the condition of the sewers in 1894, but mat they were not repaired so as to avoid a repetition of the overflow. The overflow of the tide from Gowanus canal had nothing to do with the overflow, Mr. Gresham said In reply to questions by a Juror. There was a lateral sewer running down Sixth street from the main sewer In Third avenue, and nearly opposite the laboratory the sewer came to an end called a dead end or breast instead of being continued on to the Gowanus canal. Mr.

Gresham was for two hours or more on the witness stand reciting the Items of loss. It came out incidentally that Mr. Gresham has done work for the Russian government. The claim was figured out by Mr. Gresham at $11,722.70 and Interest, $1,407.52.

The Jury retired at noon. The jury returned an hour later with a verdict for the full amount claimed. SEIZED A BREWERY FOR ALLEGED VIOLATION OF REVENUE LAWS. Collector Kelley This Afternoon Took Possession of John Mariano's Establishment in Ridgewood. At 1 o'clock this afternoon United States Collector of Revenue John C.

Kelley seized the plant of the Meriano Brewing company, on Metropolitan road, Ridgewood. For some time, as indicated in yesterday's Eagle, the brewery has been under suspicion. Collector Kelley found ihat the business methods of the president, John Mariano, were, to say the least, careless and of late they have gone counter to the plain provision of the United Suites revenue laws. Chief Brooks of revenue service, whoso headquarters are in New York, was called upon for assistance and a careful investigation was made. The result indicated that not less than 400 barrels of beer had been put out recently in barrels that were unstamped, or, rather, in barrels which were not restamped.

Other gross violations of law, it is alleged, were also discovered. The plant of the Mariano Brewing company is said to be worth about $40,000. Collector Kelley put one of his men in there when the seizure was formally made to day, and United States Marshal Hayden will take possession this afternoon. Unless Mariano can give bonds the brewery will not be allowed to do any business until the present difficulty Is settled. It is said that domestic trouble Is the cause of Mariano's business embarrassment.

Many of the liquor tax certificates which he brought for his retail dealer were made out In his wife's name. Lately most of them have been cashed in, leaving him In a bad way flnaclally. What further action will be taken against the company Mr. Kolley has not as yet determined. A hearing Will be had within a few days.

The Mariano was formerly the Bohemian Brewing company, and at one time did a good business. COURT OF APPEALS DECISIONS. Albany, N. January 2G The court of ap poals to day handed down the following decisions In reuppllcatlon of one of two trustees of Poek amore Fishing club. The four appeoln dismissed, with costs, against the respective appellants.

In favor of the petitioner. Aaron HuKh vs. Emma H. Proctor, appellant. Judgment afllrmed.

with costs. David Aldrldpe vs. May Walber. appellant. Judgment reversed and complaint dismissed with costs.

Dcfrees Critten vs. Charles v. VredenburRh. the Manufacturers' bank of Cohoes. appellant, people ex rel, John H.

Millard and another, appellants vs. James A. Roberts, flstitroller. Order afllrmed with costs. FLOODS THREATEN SPAIN.

London. January 26 A Madrid dispatch to the Daily Mail nays that snow and rainstorms threaten serious floods in Spain. Harrowing distress prevails in Andalusia. At Jaen the people are plundering the bread shops and thousands are begging in the streets. Similar scenes, accompanied by fights with the police, have occurred in many other towns.

The authorities are powerless to cope with the destitution. No Wine Huh a. Purer Bouquet Than Cook's Iilpebiai. Exiea Dux CoAsirAaxxXir, Many Members of the Brooklyn Delegation on Hand. (Special to the Eagle.) Albany, N.

January 26 The Piatt dinner, at Harmanus Bleecker hall, to night overshadows all else of interest here to day. Republicans are pouring Into the city from four quarters of tho state, arriving with dress suit cases and smiles of anticipation. Some of the cases bear unmistakable earmarks of having been borrowed, but the smiles are home made. Hand shaking is the order of the day and the peaker of the assembly was kept busy during the morning session In granting the privileges of the floor to the faithful and distinguished from the furthermost confines. The visitors gathered In the senate and assembly chambers and watched the proceedings there.

Brooklyn was wc'! represented. The men already here from Brooklyn include Jacob Worth, George W. Palmer, William J. Buttling, E. B.

Coombs. Louis R. Worth. Hubert G. Taylor, Alfred Hodges, James F.

Bender naglo, Andrew Lemon. Justice William S. Schnitzspan. Jacob Brenner, George F. Elliott.

David Quimby, Frederick W. Schroeder, Patrick H. Flynn, Foster L. Backus. Hugo Hirsh.

John M. Ward. Jesse D. Frost, John K. Neal, Frank Sperry, Henry A.

Powell, Frederick C. Crane, Joseph R. Clark. Charles H. Francisco, Frank F.

Williams, Samuel E. 8hompsou, Warren C. Tredwell, David P. Watkins, A. L.

Jensen, J. H. F. Bowman, John L. McGinnis, Robert B.

Sedgwick. James P. Cornell, Colonel Harry Michell. Frank F. Schulze, Robert M.

Johnson, Dr. J. H. Marshall. Charles Heyman, George Herald.

Randolph Fuller, George M. Buchanan. B. Raphael, M. Rapp, George Kenneth.

Michael J. Dady, Charles O. Perry, P. Laurltzen, Wilson R. Smith, William C.

Bryant, Clarence A. Barrow, Robert W. Snitzer. W. D.

Flock en, C. V. C. Van Dusen, James H. Baker, M.

E. Golubock, J. O. Kline. Frederick C.

Cocheu, John T. Welch, Allen Bowie. George E. Rodgers, E. E.

Robinson, George A. Owens, Robert A. Sharkey, John G. Deubert and Andrew Jacobs. Two tables have been set aside for the guests from and County Clerk Worth will bo tho presiding spirit.

Mr. Piatt will meet tho Albany newspaper met at The Tub on State street, where Garret J. Benson, sergeant at arms of the senate, will do the honors. The banquet will begin at 6 o'clock. Senator Elect and Mrs.

Thomas C. Piatt and Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Piatt, Mr.

and Mrs. E. Piatt and Mr. and Mrs. H.

P. Piatt, sons and daughters in law of the senator elect, arrived in this city on the Empire state express at 11 :15 thLs morning. Tho following will speak at to nights banquet: Thomas Collier Piatt United States sen ator elect; Frank S. Black, governor of New York; William Hitt Kellosg. ex United States senator of Louisiana; J.

Sloat Fasett, ex state senator of New York; D. D. Wood manseo, president Republican national league of Ohio; Timothy L. Woodruff, lieutenant governor of New York; General R. A.

Alger, ox United States senator of Michigan; Chaun cey M. Depew of New York. DIED AT THE AGE OF 105. MARY A. McC ABE WAS BORN IN 1792.

She Came to This Country in 1812 and Lived in Brooklyn Twenty five Years. Mary Ann McCabe died at this morning at 271 Pacific street at the remarkable age of 105 years. She retained her mental faculties ot the last and died simply of old age. The funeral will take place at 2. SO o'clock to morrow afternoon from the house where she died and tho interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.

There happens to be no doubt of the deceased's age. Letters are in the possession of her relatives showing that she came to the United States, landing In Philadelphia, from Newton Stewart, county of TyronfBe, Ireland, when she was 20 years old. There is also a letter to her from her father dated 1812, alter she had arrived, showing that she must have been born In 1792. She never married, but lived on Pacific street, near Court, until two years ago, when the house which she and other members of tho family occupied, was pulled down. Then then moved to 271.

Eight weeks ago tho old woman's strength gave way and she took to her bed. Sho was nursed by Mrs. Mary O'Toole till she died this morning. There were eight in the family of the deceased. Mrs.

McCrossin, a very but bright and intelligent woman Is a sister of the dead woman and told tho reporter to day that first of all they had been supported by their brothers Andy. Jim and Father John McCabe. who died some time ago in Xew York. Later, she added, her own son, Edward J. McCrossin, the lawyer, who has an office at 37H Fulton street, looked after' the wanes of An family.

WAITIxMG PALMER'S DECISION. The Salary Question May Be Settled To morrow. It is expected that Controller Palmer will to morrow make public his decision In the matter of the salary warrants. There is reason for saying that he will sign the warrants of more oilicialc than his original declaration of intention implied. In other words, Mr.

Palmer is understood to have modified his views considerably. For example, his hold up of pay, according to current rumors, will not affect all deputies and assistants of heads of departments. Mr. Palmer has taken counsel in this matter and has Riven to It much thought, and will do what he thinks is In accordance with law. A number of officials will not receive their January salaries.

They are niL who are directly affected by the decision of Judge Keogh. Their cases are those In which a Judicial determlr.rttion Is necessary as to whether or not competitive examinations are practicable. MORTALITY FROM FAMINE. It Is Far Greater Than That Due to the Plague. London, January 26 A dispatch from Jub bulpore to the Chronicle, regarding tho Indian famine says: "Relief measures were neglected in the central provinces throughout 1S36.

The latest statistics up to tho ond of October give as tho excoss in the mortality over the previous ten years 82.3SS. exclusive of cholera, cases. Most of this fscess Is due to famine." A Standard dispatch from N'ico says that a strong crmmif.ec of and American residents has been formed there to raise a relief fund for the Indian famine sufferers. AT ODDS OVER THE CZAR. London, January 2f While the Vienna newspapers continue to declare that tho Czar's head is st riouxly affected and that the nkull needs trepanning on account of tho after of fectH from the blow on the liewl he received from a Japanese fanatic, ami while they allege that lie is preparing lur a regency, the English Court Circular yesterday announced that the czar i enjoying excellent health and that the reports of his ill health aro unfounded.

Newport Santaccii Are tlie Purest, Cleanest and most delicious flavored sausages on the market. Adv. 111 PHILADELPHIA. One Block Destroyed and Wanamaker's Store Damaged. BITTER WORK FOR THE FIREMEN" Intensely Cold Weather Prevented Effective Use of the Engines Business Houses in the Square Bounded by Market, Thirteenth, Filbert and Juniper Streets Wiped Out, Together With Nearby Buildings The Clock Tower of Wanamaker's Destroyed, "but the Store Saved by Prompt Action The City Hall Slightly Damaged Estimates of the Losses.

Philadelphia, January 26 The most disastrous conflagration that has visited this city in recent years, broke out shortly before 7 o'clock this morning In the rear of the basement of the big grocery store of Hanscom 1,317 Market street, and before the flames were gotten under control property amounting In value to or more had been destroyed. The flames were first discovered by John IWagner, a reserve policeman, who was passing the big building at 6:50 o'clock. He immediately turned In an alarm. Before the engines reached the scene the entire rear portion of Hanscom' and Dennett's big restaurant were ablaze. A second alarm was then sent in, and a few moments later a general larm was sounded.

Immediately adjoining Hanscom on the west "was the five story building occupied by Bliuim manufacturers of ladies' cloaks. The flre. spread with almost lightning i rapidity and Blum building was coon a mass ol flames. The water seemed to freeze, before it touched the buildings, so bitterly cold was the weather. The next building on the west to be eaten up by.

the raging fire was that occupied by George Marfan, as a restaurant. Then came the hat manufactory of George B. "Wells, at 1,325, and the rear of the wholesale grocery of Showell Elryer, at 1,325 Market street. "While the flames were sweeping west on Market street, the umbrella manufactory of Hirsh the largest 'in the world, which adjoined Dennett's restaurant, caught fire. The imflatnmable nature of the immense stock of light silks added fuel to the seething flames and in half an hour thebeautlful eight story building, extending from 1,309 to 1,315 Market street, was a mass ot flames.

On the east of the Hirsh building, between 1,809 and 1,301 Market street, were the following tenants: The MIzpah restaurant, Sterner Ball, wholesale and retail, cigar factory, wholesale and retail confectionery of A. Nick olacky, 1,303, and the big drug sore of H. Hlliman at 1,301, the upper story of which was occupied by Potter Bros, as a photograph gallery. On the north eMe of Hinsh factory, immediately across Silver street, etood the new'" eeven stfory building of DunJap the only printing firm In the abate with a capacity for printing the big blanket Australian ballots. This building extended from 1 .306 to 1,310 Filbert street, and was 100 feet deep.

The first floors were occupied by the Colllne Carriage company. The flames swept through this structure and gutted it completely. The small Buildings on Silver street which runs west from 1,306 to Juniper were all gutted. The rihop of Contractor Lewis Hevens caught fire from tho rear otf Blum and three firemen were caught by a falling ulall. Prank Piper of Engine company No.

30 was the only man seriously injured. At 8:15 lire was discovered 'in the tower of ffcfcn Waniamaker's big dry goods store. A stream of water from one of the water towers iwiis run up to the burning structure, but the euppHy of water was either too small or the apparatus defective, as the stream wouid not reach. The tawer contained a handsome clock and chimes. At 9 o'clock the entire tower collapsed, the clock falling c'hrcaigh to the first floor.

Two lines ctf hose were then gotten on top of the gigantic structure and the flames which had threatened to destroy Philadelphia's most famous store were soon under control. The fire bad been confined entirely to the Market street front and the loss sustained by Mir. Wanomaker was principally in the destruction of his clock and chimes and the breaking of all the largo plate glass windows on Market street. The roof of the building was ablaze at one time and it seemed as "though the entire scructure was doomed, trat (he hose operated by the employes of the big establishment kept the fire within bounds. Up to this time the flames had been confined to the block bounded by Filbert street on the north, Thirteenth on the east.

Market on the south and Juniper street on the west. The iwlnd was blowlug from the west and carried the flames right into the rear of the buildings on Thirteenth street. The first building to catch fire wa that of Jacob Miller, gent's furnishing goods, 6 North Thirteenth street. Then came the cigar factory of L. Tarbliss Co.

at 8 North Thirteenth street; A. Mc Cune manufacturers of picture frames, Nos. 10 and 12; E. Plther, dry goods. No.

14; S. H. Shull. drugs, No. 16; Heine's bakery, No.

IS; the cafe De Blamherg, No. 20; Budd Kite, jewelers. No. 22; private residence and barber shop. No.

24; Huber Weber, dry goods, No. 26. J. H. Stall, jeweler occupied the first floor of 28 North Thirteenth street, and William H.

Stieff, wall paper manufacturer, the remainder of the building. Foley's restaurant at 30 North Thirteenth street, and James Furlong's saioon at Nos. 32 and 34, were the last in the row from Market to Filbert streets. All of these buildings were completely gutted. In many instances nothing Is left standing but the bare walls.

The flames ate their way almost directly northwest fram the rear of Blum. Bros, building, gutting the rear of Showell Fryer's big grocery. The rear part of 7, 9, 11. 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 North Juniper street, which buddings are UEed as law offices and private residences was completely burned out, leaving only the fro ut walls standing In some cases. The flames communicated wttth 1,302 Filbert street from the rear of Furlong's saloon and quickly burned out 1,302 and 1,304, dwellings occupied by lawyers.

While the fire was at its height flames were discovered on the window sashes on the side of the big city hall, which was exposed to the terrible heat. The city hall fire department ran a line of hose to the roof and in a few minutes had the massive structure free from all danger. The walls of Hirsh Brothers' factory collapsed soon after 8 o'clock. The other walls left standing resemble huge icebergs, being covered with a heavy coating of ice. Previous to the breaking out of the big fire there were two other fires within half a mile of Wanamaker's, and just about the time the firemen had gained control of the great conflagration an alarm coming from a point within four blocks caused a portion of the army of If You Want a.

Perfect Burning Coal Try oure. Kjclset IoughUs, Kevins and Douglass ptl. AdY. The Whole Department of the Lower Section Fought the Flames. LOSS WILL BEACH $60,000.

A Large Quantity of Inflammable Material Was Stored in the Building and a Serious Conflagration Was ThreatenedIce Locked Hydrants Hindered the Firemen Women Employes Were Hurried From the Structure. Tbe whole fighting force of the lower section of New York was summoned to the scene of fire at 29 Pearl street this morning. The blaze started at 7:45 o'clock and threatened to assume such proportions that three alarms were sent in. The fire started in the basement of the six story building at 29 Pearl street. Weldon Co.

occupied the first floor and 'basement, the five floors above and the adjoining building being occupied by Percy Kent, dealer In cotton, baling and other inflammable matter. A. F. Burgle, general foreman in the employ of Mr. Kent, claims to have been the first person to discover dhat the "building was on flre when he reached there shortly before 8 o'clock this morning.

Burg Is said he detected the odor of smoke and immediately notified She employes, numbering 70 girle and women, who hastily left the building, while he hlrnjseif hurried to the quarters of Engine company No. 4, In Old Slip, and notified Captain Cook, who, on reaching the scene of the conflagration, promptly turned In two alarms. This brought Fire Chief Castles and all the engines In the lower section of the city. The situation was of such a threatening nature that Chief Castles sent in a third alarm. This brought Fire Chief Hugh Bonner and several more company engines to the scene.

The chief trouble that at first presented itself was the difficulty of securing full streams of water, as the hydrants were ice locked. In the meantime the flames had gained considerable headway and for a tlmo it looked as if the adjoining buildings, at 25 and 31, were doomed. Through the vigorous efforts of the firemen, however, aided by the work of Water To.wer No. 1, the conflagration was confined to Nos. 27 and 29.

The loss will amount to $60,000. Foreman Burgls' story is denied by Mrs. James T. Burnes, who lives on the fourth floor of the building at 18 Bridge street, which is in the rear of the burned building. Mrs.

Burns said she detected the odor of smoke all through the Bight and at 7:30 o'clock this morning she aroused Landlord Kneip and then hastened around to the burning building and gave the alarm which aroused Foreman Burgls. Mrs. Burns said she always feared that a flre would break out in the building and did not rest quietly at night. The structure was damaged by flre two years ago. Chief Bonner is of the opinion that the fire was smoldering In the basement all during the night and ate its way to the floors above where It gained volume by coming in contact with the inflammable material there.

It took an hour and thirty minutes before the flre was under control, at which time the floors were burned to cinders. Despite the keen, biting wind a large crowd of shivering people watched the work of the' firemen. While on the way to the fire engine No. 55, whose quarters are at 137 Elm street. knocked down a boy, Samuel Grossman, of 135 Rlvlngton street, who was on his way to woric, urossman: attempted to cross Broad way at Franklin street.

He did not see the engine until It was too late. He was knocked down and narrowly escaped being trampled upon by the horsaB. As it was the toes of his right foot were crushed. MANY BROOKLYN FIRES. One Blaze at the Erie Basin Caused a Damage of $10,000 Water Hard to Get Engineer Hurt.

There was an epidemic of fires in the South Brooklyn soction last night, which, with the high wind and the bitter cold, caused the firemen great discomfort and made the pos sibility of an extensive blaze in at least one case considerably threatening. This was the flre that broke out from some unknown cause shortly after 1 o'clock this morning in the two story frame building opposite pier No 1, at the Erie basin, owned by John T. Langill of 30 Third place, and occupied by him as a machinery and iron works. The flames rapidly wrapped the entire building in their embrace, making a blaze that could be seen from a long distance. The firemen were obliged to go away out on the long dock and pump direct from the basin as there were no flre hydrants from which to secure a supply of water.

Water for the boilers of the engines had to be carried in palls and several times it froze before it reached the engines. With all these difficulties, however, the firemen managed to control the blaze inside of twenty minutes. The flre extended to a two story frame building belonging to the Erie Basin Dry Dock, company, but did slight dam age there. It is estimated that it caused a loss to Langills place of $10,000. The amount of insurance on this Is unknown.

The firemen who guard the same district bad been called out several tlme3 previously dur ing the night, but in cases where there was but brief occasion for their services. Shortly after 7 o'clock in the evening a lamp was upset on the top floor of the house at 206 Harrison street occupied by F. E. Thompson. The loss was $100.

Two hours later a flre, whose origin is a mystery, broke out in the three story brick tenment house at 5 Carroll street, lp a part of the building occupied by Domlnick Belflore as a fruit store. The damage was $100. At 10:30 o'clock the firemen were again called out to extinguish a blaze in the top floor of the three story house at 248 Union street occupied by V. Saverese. A lace curtain took, flre from a gas jet.

Pol'iceman John Frawley of the Butler street station saw the flame3 from the street and ran upstairs in time to arouse the occupants and put out the flre before it became serious. The loss was $50. A little after 3 o'clock this morning a lamp exploded in the apartments occupied by Andrew Sfmone's family, on the second floor of the three story brick building at 53 Summit street. The damage was $10. The firemen had another job at 10 o'clock this morning, when a flre, cause unknown, broke out in the hallway on the second floor of the brick tenement house at 22 Carroll street, where Frank Travis llveB.

It was easily put out. Loss $40. Engineer John Begley, atached to No. 28 engine, while at work on the ruins of Bloom ingdale's hay markot, at the foot of Twenty fifth street, had his left arm caught In the flywheel. The arm was broken.

Begley was taken to the Norwegian hospital. Fire broke out in the cellar of the three story brick dwelling at 303 Grand street at 4:30 o'clock last night. The building which was damaged to the extent of $25 is owned by Mrs. Wernberg of 281 South Second street. H.

B. Rosenson occupied the first floor and cellar as a liquor store. He estimates his loss at $500 and says It Is fully covored by insurance. WILSON'S $25,000 SUIT. James F.

Wilson was the plaintiff in a damage suit against the Brooklyn Heights railroad, which was tried before Justice Osborne of the supremo court this morning. He wants 325,000 damages for injuries received through a collision with a trolley car on Third avenue on May 18, 1895. He was driving at the time and his wagon was upBet and he waH thrown to the ground and badly hurt. His head and body were bruised and he received internal injuries which are claimed to bo permanent. Luke Ii.

Stapleton argued the case for plaintiff and Counsellor Thomas P. llooro appeared for the railroad. James H. PMpDS and T. D.

Rich Included in the Presentment. GRAND JURY'S QUICK WORK. Heard the Testimony of Little Egypt and Minnie Renwood and Deliberated but Filtaen Minutes Defendants Are Charged With Conspiring to Secure an Indecent Performance Will Be Called Upon to Plead To morrow. The New York grand jurv to dav found in dictments against Herbert Barnum Seeley, the host, and Theodore D. Rich and James H.

Phipps, who arranged tho now celebrated banquet at Sherry's, in New York, which resulted in tho trial of Police Captain Chap man or tne Nineteenth New York precinct. District Attorney Olcott began his official Investigation of the dinner this morning. The evidence taken at the trial of Captain Chapman before the police commissioners had been sent to the district attorney several days ago and this morning Assistant District At torney Battle began reading that Dart of the testimony which might criminate the originat ors or tne affair and those who attended it. Little Egypt and Minnie Ren tt Goo. who figured at the dinner, were brought to the aistrict attorneys office this morning, by lawyer Frederick B.

House, counsel for Oscar Hammersteln, who was yesterday Indicted for his production of the burlesque on tne dinner. The women were taken tn. fho private room of Mr. Olcott, where they re mained a long time. As they entered the criminal court building they created a small stampede amontr.

the lawvers. In th i. dors, who were anxious to get a peep at the aancers. The women were in Mr. aierrtjt'K rnnm about ten minutes when Mr.

Battle was intro duced to them. Mr. Battle then led the way to his office, where for ten minutes more thov rehearsed the evidence. It was about 11:20 when teh mattBr ram up before the grand Jury and the two women were taken to the ante room to bo called as witnesses. William P.

Howe, counsel foj Llfrl Vxrrm i saw her in Mr. Olcott's rooms and told her to tell everytMng. Maurice Mever. mutual for Miss Renwood, gave her similar advice. It was said by Mr.

Meyer that Mr. 01en hud promised that no steps would be taken to inaict tne girls for appearing in the Immoral erfhihltion. Little Egypt was before the grand Jury more than a half an hour and the evidence she gave was very complete. She told r.f tho performances at the dinner and her evidence was corroDorated by Miss Renwood. The grand jury considered the matter about fifteen minutes and then ordered an indictment against Seeley, Phipps and Rich.

Seeley and Rich got up the dinner and Phipps was the theatrical agent who furnished the attractions. Tho indictment, which will be filed to morrow, will charge the three men with conspiring to procure an Indecent performance, especially on the part of the two women. The Indictments will be filed to morrow and the three defendants will appear in part I of general sessions and plead to them. After appearing before the grand jury the two women, Little Egypt and Miss Renwood, left the building with a man employed by Oscar Hammersteln and who accompanied them to the building. KILLED BY A COAL WAGON.

Thomas Ellner Stumbled and Fell Under the Wheels. At noon to day Thomas an old man Who lived at 143 Twenty tflrslt street, was carrying a hod of coal along Third avenue ex Twenty third street, when he stepped in'to rtie street to cross to the west side. He ran Into the forward pan of a large coal wagon and fell between the wheels. The driver reined In his horses and jumped to the pavement. He pulled Ellner out from between tho wheels, but the old man was unconscious, and upon being carried to his home he died before toe ambulance surgeon arrived.

The driver of the wagon was arrested. He give bis name as Bernard Hosc of 250 Bond street and said he was employed by McCurty, Fenwick Emerson of 147 Hamilton avenue. Hosey says that Ellner stumblier as he approached the wagon as though he seemed to be nirsighced or dizzy. The man's head was cut, but Hcsey says the wGeels did not pass ver the head. He Is the only w.tness of the accident and tells a straight story.

Ellner wa3 76 years ctf age and very PARK LAKES OPEN. Skaters May Go as Far as Terrace Bridge. At 10 o'clock this morning tho park depart men issued orders to allow the skaters upon the frozen lakes. Terrace bridge is as far as the public will be permitted to advance at present, as beyond that the ico Is not sufficiently secure to resist a great strain. About the boat house and beyond the ice is over four Inches in thickness, while the surface is smoother and better than It has been at any ether times this winter.

About one hundred skaters were gliding over the lakes this morning, and by noon the number had Increased perceptibly. At 3 o'clock the schools transferred a large quota of their pupils to the way3 leading to the park, while for to night the prellminary outlook seems to prophesy a record breaking crowd. WOULD WED A PARSON, But the Rev. Moses Manning Is Coy, Says Catherine. Catherine Taylor, colored, 55 years old.

a widow, residing at 331 Rodney street, called at the charities department this morning and aBlced tho commissioners if they would not compel MoseH Manning a colored preacher, 72 years old, and living at 84 Bartlett street, to marry her. She explained that tho parson had been paying her attention for some time with the avowed purpose of making her his wife, but lately his love had grown cold and he had shown a disposition not to keep his promiwe. Belief Clerk Short, to whom Catherine wan referred, advised her to consult counsel if she meditated an action against the parson, as the charities department could not tako action under tho circumstancOB. Mrs. Taylor weighs about l'JO pounds.

She says she has a married daughter iu Morichos, L. 1. BIG CONCERN ASSIGNS. Canton, N. January 26 The Highfalls Sulphite Pulp and Mining company assigned this morning.

Tho plant is said to have coat 300.000. No schedule of liabilities hni yet been filed. Th proprietors claim that all banks holding their paper will Ik; protcetod. Mr. Usher, president of tho National bank of Potsdam, which clofed Hk doors yesterday, was interested in the company.

the Sew Clurmpntrne Vintage, A remarkable vintage fur quality as well an natural dryness, without beinn hoary, now shipped to this market, i O. II. Ml mm's Kxtua 1rt. Its Importation in 1890 was 70M oases, or 36.S60 cases more than aty other brand. Adv.

Corporation Counsel Burr and Edward M. Shepard in Appellate Division. SHEPARD ATTACKS PALMER. The Counsel for the Civil Service Reformers Foints to the Record of Removals Made by the Controller and Declares He Has Violated the Constitution of the State Questions Bearing on the Case Asked by Justices Goodrich, Cullen and Bartlett Able Presentation of Points on Both Sides. The appeal from the decision of Justlca Keogh in the now famous Chittenden civil service case, which has tied up the pay of about fifty employes of the city, was argued before the appellate division of tho supreme court to day.

Justices Goodrich, Cullen, Bartlett, Bradley and Hatch being on the bench. Corporation Counsel Burr appeared for those who were incumbents of tho eleven positions, having In them the above fifty employes, affected by Justice Keogh's decision. Edward M. Shepard appeared for Mr. Chittenden and his associates.

Ex Assistant Corporation Counsel Henry M. Yonge assisted Mr. Shepard. The arguments were begun at 10:30 and at the request of Mr. Shepard the time limit of one hour for each side was removed and the, court dismissed all other cases set down for the day to give opportunity for counsel to state their points in full.

Corporation Counsel Burr, who spoke first, said that It had been artfully inferred by th counsel for the plaintiffs and the public press that tho opposition to the plaintiff's position was an advocacy of the spoils system. If such was the case, Mr. Burr declared, ha would not be before the court as the representative of tho defendants. He called attention to the fact that only about 170 out of over 5,000 appointees in the city government, or 3 per cent, of the total number were appointed without competitive examination and included in schedule that the other 97 per cent, were In schedule and were examined for their positions. Mr.

Burr stated that Tour positions were assigned by Mayor Low and Mayor Sehieren had added still other of the positions to schedule which were now In dispute. The corporation counsel, after making clear that the statute had been taken in good faith by previous mayors of the city, who believed that they had the right undor tho law to assign as they saw fit positions to schedule A and schedule as they appeared suitable for appointment by examination or without it, took up the consideration of the elementary state law in con trast with tho later provisions of the law il the provisions incorporated in th state constitution two years ago. Mr. Burr cemtended thait tho constitution provided thajt appointments should be made, "as far as possible," by examinations. This elhowod at once that the constttirtion recognized in some cases that it was not practicable to examine for an office and giving some discrimination in use ot examinations.

This constititHonal provision then was not repugnant to the old civil service law, which gxr tho mayor discrimination. Tho law relaittw to the state civil service had the same feature, leaving leeway for Judgment as the city civil service law did to the city. The revised constitution did not contemplate, he declared, tlhe entire ignoring of the previous experience incorporated in the law, but the keeping of its best features, which made Its strength, that examinations should be held, "as far as praoticaible." It did not intend to wipe out the older idea. The revised constitution was not the beginning of law; it wa a revision, with a well defined form of government in existence, and It must be assumed that the framers knew of the Civil service law. Indeed, the debate in the convention showed that the law was considered along with the constitutional provision, with th.0 inten tlon of taking what was best out of tho law for crystallization in the constitution.

The records of the convention proved that the civil service provision was Included in the constitution with the idea of preserving the civil service law against future aratack by unfriendly legislatures, as indeed one or the advocates of the provision urged in so many words. It was not intended to elaborate the then existing law. but to fix It. Mr. Burr considered at length the opinion handed down by Justice Herrick in the Sweedoy case and by Justice Brown in the Kymer case.

He also referred to opinions on appeal of these cases and others making the deduction that in no place was the contention advanced that the civil service law and the constitution were antagonistic, but on the contrary that they were most harmonious. Thus it was. he held, that the three methods of examination were recognized by the constitution, the law relative to the state and the law relative to the cities, namely, appointment without examination, appointment by non competitive examination and appointment by competitive examination. The governor performed the rame function for the state service as the mayor did for the city. Justice Cullen interrupted to ask Mr.

Burr whether ho believed the governor had a right to appoint from any part of the list; whether his acts would be reviewable by the court. Mr. Burr replied that without question In such an ovent the governor's action would be reviewable by the courts and that, too, without prejudice to bis own argument. For the violation of the constitution must always bo reviewable by the courts or else this constitution would be swept away. But in the case of the mayor's assignment of positions to schedule there was no question of bad faith; it was assumed by both sides that tli action was taken with the highest good of the service in view and that such purely administrative action was a part of the duty of th mayor under the law and entirely distinct from any Judicial decision.

Mr. Burr thought the acts of the governor or the mayor in the assigning of positions to schedule A were not In violation of the law, provided they were made in good faith. If there was neglect of this duty the courts could compel the official to act, but they could not toll him how he should act. In case the administrative oiTIcer had not the power to determine as to classification of positions. ther was possibility for endless litigation and endless Judgments on all sides.

In the brief which he handed up at tho conclusion of the hearing Burr summarized his argument as follows: The aiiellant5 d' slre to submit to the court th following pniiHiFltlonrt for arxunient: 1. The rvte'i constitution, which went into effect nti first tiny of January. 1S35, has not mu'lllieU or nltore'l the provisions or the statute relative to civil service appointments In the state of New York fexcept those portions of the statute which are In the nature of exceptions in tho s'eneral provisions thereof, such thoae respecting veterans). A. In the nifthfiil of It.

In the liinl for classifying positions In the civil service for the purpose of making such appointments. 2. As between the threv methods of appolntlEnt recognized both In the statute and, tile constitution, the determination as to.tfnTch method shall be adopted an'l to which class a position hall bo asslcned, Ik both by the constitution and the statute expressly made a legislative and administrative question and not a Judicial one. SyracSsisjBfters a Loss by Flames of $110,000 Big Chicago Grain Elevator Burned. Syracuse, N.

January 20 Fire which at one time threatened to destroy the business portion of the city broke out in the cloak establishment of. the "New York Cloak company shortly after 7 o'clock last evening. A gale was blowing and the thermometer was down to the zero point, making successful fighting of the flre a work of "The flames spread rapidly and within a short time the two adjoining buildings to the north were a mass of flames. The water froze almost as soon as It was thrown on the buildings and the firemen were coated with ice. The smoke from the burning goods was so dense that it interfered seriously with the work of the firemen.

The roof of Dinturft's photograph gaMery fell In and cut off Colonel Yale and a party of friends, who were In the rear of Colonel Yale's store, directly under the gallery. They escaped tfy a rear staircase leading Into an ad Joining building. The wall of the Burdlck building fell into the street shortly before 10 o'clock. Captain Coombs of Chemical company No. 1, with a gang of men were playing a stream on the wall and all had a narrow escape.

F. T. Stearns, a hoseman, was hit on the head with a flying brick and knocked insensible. A message was sent to 03wego for aid, but before the Oswego engines could be loaded on the cars the flre was under control and the request' was countermanded. The fire crept under the cornice of the Pike building and a coating of some four inches of ice made it a hard matter to get at the flames.

It wa3 some hours before they were extinguished. The street car service was interfered with, but not seriously interrupted. At 12:30 midnight a landmark of the city wtfiich withstood Che great flre of 1841, a brick block, 1,706 North Sallna street, took flre and the department was forced to divide Its Continued on Page 2. The dut devolved Uon thg governor to s..