Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
1888 - FIRE AT CHATTANOOGA. DESTROYS BOTH LIFE AND PROPERTY - MANY BURNED TO DEATH.

WHILE STRIVING TO SAVE GOODS FROM THE FLAMES - THE LOSS TO PROPERTY WILL REACH $225,000 - COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS.

Chattanooga, Tenn., August 10 - The ruin of last night's terrible fire is very great. The following business firms were entirely burned out:

Shelton, Howard & Co., wholesale saddlery.
Phelps & Long, clothiers.
Rosenay, Crutchfield & Co., wholesale dry goods.
M. Block drug company.
Dietzer Bros., wholesale fruits and vegetables.
Roshbaum & Co., clothiers.
Bradt Printing company.
Chattanooga paper box factory.
Rosenhelm Sons, wholesale liquor dealers.
A. Schopen, confectionery and wines.
Simpson clothing, damaged by fire.

Loss on building, $91,000. The loss by firms is $225,000; insurance about $175,000. The total loss is in the neighborhood of $310,000.
The loss of life has been very great. In the excitement of the conflagration hundreds of citizens rushed into the building and endeavored to save threatened goods. It seems that there was criminal carelessness in erecting the four-story structure, because they collapsed solely from the heat. One building fell in which were fifty persons. At noon today five dead bodies have been recovered, and it is feared that the loss of life is considerably greater.

The following remains recovered have been identified:
JAMES P. McMILLAN.
HENRY WELCH.
JAMES SMITH, colored.
EDWARD S. LOWE.

Another colored man has been recovered, but the remains have not been identified. Two more bodies have been discovered beneath the ruins, but they can not be reached before night, and it is believed that ED KUEGER is also buried beneath the ruins and six or seven others. The total loss of life is estimated at ten and four badly wounded.

J. P. McMILLAN was killed trying to save books. He was a prominent citizen. ED LOWE was trying to save goods. He was a leading builder and contractor.

Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
August 11, 1888

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