GREAT CONFLAGRATION

BARNUM'S MUSEUM IN ASHES

Twenty Other Buildings Partially Destroyed

LOSS $1,500,000 TO $2,000,000

HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM

Thrilling and Terrific Scenes

CARNIVAL OF SLAUGHTER

Frightful Combats of the Beasts

Lions, Tigers, Whales and Boa Constrictors Perishing in the Flames

Eccentricities of Blazing Monkeys

Immense and Excited Crowds

Wholesale Plunder and Pocket-Picking

The Greatest Sensation of the Prince of Showmen

Tragedy and Comedy Strangely Combined

Barnum's Museum Fire New York 1892

About 121/2 o'clock the City Hall bell struck the alarm.

The fire companies turned out promptly, and Park-row and  Broadway were soon thronged with excited thousands, attracted to the spot by the rapidly spreading report that Barnum's Museum was on fire

In a brief while everyone could see the flames bursting out form the Museum and spreading in every direction

Fortunately there were not many persons in the building at the time; if there had been a number of lives must have been lost, so rapidly did the conflagration extend. 

Those who were there, so far we have learned, escaped uninjured.

THE SCENE

was picturesque and exciting; the flames spread with great rapidly, rushing out of the windows and doors and from behind the huge transparencies placed on the balcony, which were speedily removed by the hooks of the firemen.

EXPLOSION OF A BOILER

As the fire progressed, the heat became intense. 

The crowd of spectators steadily increased, and had com-pelely filled all the streets in the vicinity, when a boiler inside of the building burst, causing the vast throng to run to all points of the compass. 

Many men women and children were knocked down, and one poor mortal was thrown on his back while a dozen others stumbled over him, almost killing him. 

Finding himself in a dangerous predicament, and not being able to extricate himself, he commenced kicking, as though he was swimming (at this time he was almost swimming in mud), compelling those upon him and around him to seek some other tramping ground, which they quickly did, much to his relief. 

On rising and getting to his feet, he looked about for his hat, which was not to be found. 

This was the case with about one hundred others who were there, as it was soon afterward discovered that in the rush nearly every man had lost his head piece.

RAID ON HAT

After diligent searching about a score of the capital coverings were found, but in such a wet, crushed and dirty condition as not to be fit to wear.

At this juncture several boxes of hats and caps of all descriptions were carried down Fulton at, from Widte's establishment, and every man without one made an individual raid on the coveted articles.  Several persons were fortunate in getting two or three, and those who did not procure them in that way bought from those who had more than they needed.

THE POLICE.

Capt. De Camp of the Second Precinct with a detachment of men was early on the ground, and seeing the probability of an extensive fire, telegraphed at once to the Central Office for help.  In a short time detachments were present from the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Twenty seventh and Twenty-eighth, Precincts, under the-command of their respective captains, the whole commanded by Inspector Carpenter.

Lines were at once formed and none but the firemen and members of the press allowed to pass through.  All displayed equal energy in preserving order, saving property, and keeping a wary eye upon the thieves who were present in large numbers. 

They remained on the ground until an late hour.

THE FIREMEN

Never, since the organization of the Department, have the firemen worked with a better will.  In spite of the intensive heat, they nobly battled with the flames, and to their perseverance may be ascribed the fact that the entire block was not destroyed. 

Several Brooklyn companies, with their apparatuses, came over, and rendered efficient services.

Messrs. Phillip W.. Euge and Charles W. Binckney, two of the new Board of Fire Commissioners, were on the ground directing affairs.  

Chief Engineer Decker and the Assistant Engineers displayed signal ability  in the control of the various apparatus.