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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78708 ***
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: VIEW OF THE BURNING CITY FROM POWDERHORN HILL]
+
+
+
+
+                         THE BURNING OF CHELSEA
+
+                                   BY
+                          WALTER MERRIAM PRATT
+
+                       WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS
+                        FROM ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS
+
+                             [Illustration]
+
+                                _BOSTON_
+                       SAMPSON PUBLISHING COMPANY
+                                  1908
+
+
+
+
+                          _Copyright, 1908, by_
+                       SAMPSON PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+                      First impression, June, 1908
+
+                     _Printed by The Sparrell Print
+                         Boston, Massachusetts_
+
+
+_The author dedicates this book to Captain James H. Smyth, Lieutenant
+Olin D. Dickerman, Lieutenant Harry J. Kane, and the enlisted men of
+the Eighth Company, Coast Artillery Corps, with whom he served in
+Chelsea on Provost Guard during the week following the fire._
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+This book is intended by its author to be a story of THE BURNING
+OF CHELSEA as he saw it,--a contribution to local history based on
+personal knowledge and observation. No one man saw, or could see, all
+the phases of the conflagration, but the writer saw more than most.
+He was actively engaged during the entire course of the fire in the
+saving of persons and property, and was able to closely observe the
+whole progress of the flames. He served as a volunteer fireman for
+many hours and afterward on provost guard, being at work continuously
+for forty-eight hours without sleep. As he was thus present during the
+entire period of greatest stress, his narration consists of first-hand
+facts.
+
+It was thought advisable to add chapters on the history of Chelsea,
+and some phases of the period immediately following the fire, for the
+information of those not familiar with the city, and also a chapter on
+the future of the city.
+
+The illustrations are from photographs, and the author’s thanks
+for courteous permission to use them is due to Frank Roy Fraprie,
+Robert Buck Jeffers, of Chelsea, Mass., _Leslie’s Weekly_, William J.
+McClintock, Frank Thompson, the Utica _Saturday Globe_, and Royal S.
+Wentworth.
+
+Mr. Jeffers is maker of the frontispiece, and pictures on pages 56, 78,
+and 102.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+      I  Historical Chelsea           15
+
+     II  Statistics of the Fire       31
+
+    III  The Start                    39
+
+     IV  Beyond Control               52
+
+      V  Under Control                72
+
+     VI  Night among the Ruins        75
+
+    VII  Day Dawns upon the Ruins     83
+
+   VIII  The Firemen                  87
+
+     IX  The Militia                  93
+
+      X  Expressions of Sympathy     104
+
+     XI  The Relief Work             109
+
+    XII  Chelsea’s Future            134
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+  View of the Burning City from Powderhorn
+      Hill                                          _Frontispiece_
+
+  The Bellingham-Cary House                          16
+
+  The Pratt House, built about 1700                  18
+
+  Broadway before the Fire, looking South from
+      Bellingham                                     22
+
+  Broadway, a few Weeks after the Fire, looking
+      South from Bellingham                          24
+
+  Ruins of the Baptist Church and City Hall          32
+
+  The Lynn Engine destroyed by the Flames            34
+
+  Start of the Fire near the Everett Line            38
+
+  Responding to the First Alarm                      42
+
+  Granite Block, Dynamited during the Fire           48
+
+  A Boston Fire Boat fighting the Fire               56
+
+  Brown Stone Houses Fared no Better than
+      Wooden Tenements                               56
+
+  Junction of Washington Avenue and Broadway
+      before the Fire                                58
+
+  Residence of Ex-Mayor Thomas Strahan before
+      and after the Fire                             62
+
+  Boston and Albany Railroad Bridge, with
+      Wrecked East Boston Bridge and Burning
+      Oil Tanks in Background                        68
+
+  The Fitz Public Library before and after the
+      Fire                                           70
+
+  Where the Fire was stopped on Sixth Street         74
+
+  Ruins of the Central Congregational Church         78
+
+  A Vast Expanse of Ruins                            82
+
+  The Highland School before and after the Fire      84
+
+  Shurtleff Street before and after the Fire         86
+
+  Chief Spencer during the Fire                      88
+
+  The Eighth Company, Coast Artillery, keeping
+      back the Crowd in Winnisimmet Square           94
+
+  Troop A, First Squadron of Cavalry                 96
+
+  Granite Crumbled to Gravel under the Heat         102
+
+  The Court House, used as City Hall after the
+      Fire                                          108
+
+  The Bread Line                                    114
+
+  Effect of Fire on Granite Walls and Curbing       120
+
+  The Shurtleff School before and after the Fire    128
+
+  Map showing Burned District                       134
+
+  County Road, in the Residential Section           136
+
+  The Wentworth Residence, among the Places
+      not Destroyed                                 140
+
+  Residence of Ex-Mayor Pratt, in the Prattville
+      District, One of the Many Attractive Places
+      in Chelsea not Burned                         144
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+HISTORICAL CHELSEA
+
+
+Before relating the story of THE BURNING OF CHELSEA it seems that a
+slight sketch of the history of the city may be appropriate. Thousands
+of people read, with mingled interest and horror, newspaper accounts
+of the burning of Chelsea, who had previously only heard of the city
+in a casual way, perhaps in connection with the unfair and time-worn
+expression, “Dead as Chelsea.” Few people who have not made a study of
+the matter realize how much Chelsea stands for in history. To quote
+from a speech made by the late historian, Judge Mellen Chamberlain,
+L.L.D., at the laying of the corner-stone of the Prattville
+Schoolhouse, the city is associated with more really “first things”
+than any other city of this State or continent.
+
+The first settler, Samuel Maverick, landed on the shore of what are
+now the United States Naval Hospital grounds in 1624. In 1625 he built
+a fortified house near the water’s edge, which, according to the
+historical tablet, erected near Chelsea Bridge, was the first house in
+the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Here Governor Winthrop was entertained in
+1630. In 1631 the first ferry in the country was established here, the
+landing being near the present pier on the government grounds, where
+the first county road in the colony, ending at Salem, began. There is a
+story to the effect that Maverick’s house was attacked by the Indians,
+but being completely repulsed, they never attacked again. Maverick
+traded with the Indians, and in this way acquired some five thousand
+acres of land, comprising what is now Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, and
+Saugus, then known as Winnisimmet.
+
+[Illustration: THE BELLINGHAM-CARY HOUSE]
+
+In 1630 Noddle’s Island, now East Boston, was sold to him. About 1632
+Maverick sold Winnisimmet to Richard Bellingham, afterward governor,
+after whom Mount Bellingham was named. Bellingham built the Cary house,
+which is still standing, and used it as a shooting lodge, his home
+being in Boston. Later it was bought by the Carys and greatly altered.
+Tradition says that British troops were quartered in the house and an
+officer committed suicide there. There is a secret chamber in the top
+of the house, reached only by a peculiar passage, which winds about the
+chimney from the cellar. Although the house is two hundred years old,
+it is still used as a dwelling, and fortunately escaped the fire.
+
+Until January 10, 1739, Chelsea was a part of Boston. On that date, by
+the terms of an act passed by the Great and General Court, that part of
+Boston known as Winnisimmet Village, Rumney Marsh, and Pullin’s Point,
+including what is now known as Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, and Saugus
+was, “in consideration that they had long since built a meeting-house
+and supported the same,” set off as a town, to be known by the name of
+Chelsea.
+
+The first naval battle in the history of the United States occurred
+in Chelsea Creek on May 27, 1775. The conflict occurred between the
+Provincials and the British troops. Its outcome was that the armed
+schooner “Diana” was captured by the former and burned on the Chelsea
+shore.
+
+During the siege of Boston, in 1776, revolutionary troops under command
+of Colonel Gerrish were stationed in that part of Chelsea known as
+Prattville, and General George Washington on a tour of inspection took
+dinner at the Pratt homestead. This house was demolished in 1855. Its
+doorstep was built into the wall of Washington Park, where it may still
+be seen. The other old Pratt house which is still standing belonged
+to the same family. It is the second oldest house in Chelsea to-day,
+having been built about 1700. It was in this house that Increase Mather
+(president of Harvard College from 1684 to 1701) took refuge from the
+persecution of Governor Andros.
+
+[Illustration: THE PRATT HOUSE, BUILT ABOUT 1700]
+
+In 1802 The Chelsea Bridge and Salem Turnpike Company received a
+charter, and during that year and the next built a toll bridge between
+Chelsea and Charlestown. Up to this time the only way to reach Boston
+with a loaded team was through Malden, Medford, Cambridge, Roxbury, and
+over Boston Neck, the trip usually requiring a whole day.
+
+On February 28, 1828, the State ceded to the General Government the
+property now used for the Naval and Marine hospitals.
+
+In 1831 an act was passed giving Boston the exclusive control of county
+buildings and relieving Chelsea from all expense attached to them.
+If at any time Chelsea should wish to be set off to another county,
+Boston has no power to appear in opposition.
+
+In 1831 Francis B. Fay and others, acting for a proposed ferry company,
+purchased of Thomas Williams his farm and ferry for the sum of $22,500.
+The company, which still exists, was incorporated in 1833.
+
+In 1832 the first store in the village was built at the corner of
+Broadway and Everett Avenue, by John Low, and he was ridiculed by his
+friends for locating a store so far out of the way, as they said there
+would be few or no dwellings near him for twenty years. In this store
+were kept dry goods, groceries, medicine, the post-office, and baiting
+for horses. This being the only public place in the village, it was a
+general resort for the few early inhabitants, and records show that
+many pleasant evenings were spent there by Major Chase, Squire Knapp,
+Samuel Batchelder, Thomas Pratt, Dr. Stedman, Colonel Fay, Joseph and
+Charles Hanscom, and the “Ferry hands.”
+
+The first postmaster was Rev. Horatio Alger, followed by Abel Bowen and
+then Benjamin Dodge.
+
+In 1835 the town house was built. The town appropriated $3000. The
+building committee expended $3036.33, and for this excess “asked the
+indulgence of the town.”
+
+The first fire in Chelsea of which there is any record occurred in
+1834, in Winnisimmet Square. There was no engine in Chelsea at the
+time, but No. 15 came over from Boston. After this fire the town bought
+an engine, and in 1835 the original Chelsea No. 1 was bought, and a
+house built for it in the square. In 1837 a second engine was bought
+for $150, and a company organized under the name Volunteers No. 2, with
+quarters on Park Street.
+
+On February 22, 1841, a narrow strip of land extending from Malden,
+Melrose, and well into Wakefield, known as the Panhandle, was set off
+to the town of Saugus.
+
+On March 19, 1846, North Chelsea, now Revere and Winthrop, was set
+off, reducing the town to its present size, which is about two and one
+quarter square miles or fourteen hundred and forty-one acres.
+
+In February, 1849, the Grand Junction Railroad was granted a charter
+to run from East Boston through Chelsea to Boston, thus giving Chelsea
+railroad connection with the outside world.
+
+In February, 1857, as the population was in excess of twelve thousand,
+the town petitioned the Legislature for a city charter, and on March 13
+it was granted. On March 23 the charter was presented to the town and
+accepted by a vote of seven hundred and thirty-three to one hundred and
+seven. In the same year the Boston and Chelsea Horse Railroad received
+a charter to run from Revere along Broadway to Boston, and at the same
+time the Winnisimmet Railroad got a charter to run from Prattville
+through Washington Avenue, Park and Winnisimmet streets, to and across
+the ferry.
+
+[Illustration: BROADWAY BEFORE THE FIRE, LOOKING SOUTH FROM BELLINGHAM]
+
+When the Civil War broke out Chelsea was among the first to send men to
+the front, and during the war over one thousand men were forwarded.
+
+Hon. Frank B. Fay, who was mayor at the time, was made chief of the
+United States Sanitary Commission, and spent nearly two years at the
+front.
+
+On June 5, 1868, tolls were abolished on Chelsea Bridge and the Salem
+Turnpike, and they were made free public highways.
+
+Many famous people in all walks of life, both living and dead, came
+originally from or live at present in the city of Chelsea.
+
+Among them are Benjamin P. Shillaber, better known in the literary
+world as Mrs. Partington; Lieutenant William B. Cushing, who became
+famous by his heroic work in blowing up the “Albemarle” during the
+Civil War; Mellen Chamberlain, L.L.D. and L.L.B., lawyer, judge,
+statesman, and historian; Hon. Frank B. Fay, chief of the United
+States Sanitary Commission during the Civil War; Hon. Rufus S. Frost,
+congressman and ex-president of the National Association of Woolen
+Manufacturers; John F. Low, inventor of the famous Low Art Tiles;
+Herman Atkins MacNeil, the sculptor; Rear Admiral John E. Pillsbury,
+United States Navy, assistant chief of the Bureau of Navigation;
+Captain J. B. Briggs, United States Navy; Miss Ellen M. Stone, the
+famous missionary; Congressman Ernest W. Roberts; Ex-Governor John
+L. Bates; David and Levi Slade, known by their famous spices; Henry
+Mitchell, the foremost engraver in this country; Fred L. Cutting, late
+insurance commissioner of Massachusetts; Colonel William Grantman of
+the Civil War; Mr. Frank Roy Fraprie, the author; Hendricks A. Hallet,
+the well-known artist; Jabez K. Montgomery, the ship builder; Samuel
+Orcutt, inventor of the first rapid printing-press ever patented in
+the United States; Hon. Eustis C. Fitz, trustee of Brown and Wellesley
+colleges and ex-president of the Boston Board of Trade; William E.
+McClintock, chairman of the Massachusetts State Highway Commission;
+Dr. William G. Wheeler, associated with Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes
+as examining physician for the Federal Government during the war;
+Mr. Joseph Lincoln, the author; Miss Laura Lee, the artist; Thomas
+and William Martin, manufacturers and exporters of elastic webbing;
+Miss Helen Fitz, president of the National Daughters of the American
+Revolution. There is practically no city of any size in the United
+States that does not contain former Chelsea people.
+
+[Illustration: BROADWAY, A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE, LOOKING SOUTH FROM
+BELLINGHAM]
+
+In Chelsea there are located many manufacturing concerns, famous not
+only locally but all over America, and in many cases throughout the
+civilized world. Among them are The Magee Furnace Company; George D.
+Emery, the largest mahogany works in the United States, which maintains
+a line of steamers between Chelsea and South American ports; The Revere
+Rubber Company; the Low Art Tile Works; the D. & L. Slade Company,
+spices; Thomas Strahan & Company, whose wall paper is considered the
+finest made in America; T. Martin & Brothers, elastic fiber; Atwood &
+McManus, box manufacturers; and many large shoe factories.
+
+There are three prominent hills in Chelsea, Mount Bellingham, already
+mentioned, which was burned over in the recent fire; Sagamore Hill in
+Prattville, where lived the tribe of Sagamore Indians, and where up to
+recent years it was a common thing for Indian graves and relics to be
+found, better known as Mount Washington, after the visit of General
+George Washington; and Powderhorn Hill, which tradition says was once
+sold for a horn of powder. The top of this hill, which was purchased
+by the city in 1897, is set aside to be enjoyed forever as a public
+park. From the top of this hill during the Revolution signals were
+made to the people in Roxbury and Cambridge, giving the news of any
+movements of the British army in Boston. During the winter of 1775-6
+three companies of Colonial troops had their quarters on the south side
+of this hill.
+
+In addition to the park on Powderhorn Hill, Chelsea has Union Park in
+the heart of the city, adjoined by two smaller parks at the railroad
+station, Washington Park in Prattville, and two playgrounds, one in
+the Highland district, and the other in the extreme western end and
+adjoining the boulevard. The latter contains a quarter-mile cinder
+track, a football field, and two baseball diamonds. The Revere
+Beach Parkway passes through the northern end of Chelsea and adds
+twenty-one and one fifth acres of boulevard and parks to its open
+spaces. It connects the city directly with the beautiful Middlesex
+Fells Reservation of eighteen hundred and eighty-five acres, and the
+wonderful five-mile Ocean Drive just completed from Winthrop to Revere
+and Lynn.
+
+Chelsea is the easiest to reach of all the suburbs of Boston, being
+connected with it by the Winnisimmet Ferry, the Boston Elevated by the
+East Boston Tunnel, the Boston and Northern Electric line, and the
+Boston and Maine Railroad. From Chelsea Square to Scollay Square, in
+Boston, the running time is but thirteen minutes. Chelsea has the same
+postal service as Boston. It has the advantage of the Metropolitan
+water system and the Metropolitan sewerage system, both acknowledged
+unexcelled. Its schools are considered by the best colleges as of very
+high standing, and up to April 12, 1908, it had many miles of beautiful
+shaded streets and many natural advantages over other cities.
+
+Why is it, then, that during the few years previous to the fire Chelsea
+had lost so many desirable citizens? Why was it that in less than
+fifty years it had entirely lost its standing as the most aristocratic
+suburb of Boston, a place where people came to spend their summers, as
+they go to-day to Clifton, Magnolia, and Manchester, with a fashionable
+hotel on Powderhorn Hill, now the “Soldiers’ Home,” and beautiful
+country places leading down to the water along Marginal Street? How was
+it possible for a city of wealth, with a population of ten to fifteen
+thousand, to change in so short a time to a business and manufacturing
+community with a population of forty thousand, including ten thousand
+Hebrews?
+
+This is what happened. In 1846 North Chelsea was set off, leaving an
+area of only two and one fourth square miles, including the United
+States Naval and Marine Hospital grounds and the United States Magazine
+Reservation. As the population increased business crowded the people
+back, until those who wished large estates migrated one by one to
+Brookline, Newton, Malden, and other places. The Winnisimmet Ferry
+Company reduced its fare to three cents, and the crowded North End of
+Boston overflowed into Chelsea. Fire restrictions were placed on North
+End property in Boston and more Hebrews landed in Chelsea and set up
+their rag shops. It was gradual,--so gradual that old residents did
+not realize the number that were locating in the city. The water front
+properties were too valuable to lie idle, and large manufacturers
+secured them and located their factories there. With them naturally
+came a poorer class, and every two that came drove one old resident
+away. Young people married and moved away and the old people gradually
+died. This is why on April 12 this change had taken place, and Chelsea
+had become the most thickly populated city in the United States in
+proportion to its size, having forty thousand population in less than
+two square miles.
+
+[Illustration: RUINS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AND CITY HALL]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+STATISTICS OF THE FIRE
+
+
+Few people realize the size of the Chelsea fire from the newspaper
+accounts. In no cases were they exaggerated, while accounts in the
+New York and Western papers invariably underestimated the size of the
+burned district. On the authority of the “Fireman’s Herald” of New York
+it was the third largest fire in point of area in the history of this
+country. The San Francisco fire burned over twenty-seven hundred acres,
+the Chicago fire twenty-one hundred and twenty-four acres, the Chelsea
+fire four hundred and ninety-two acres, and the Portland, Me., fire
+four hundred acres. The great Boston conflagration of 1872 covered only
+sixty-five acres.
+
+The Chelsea fire swept the center of the city, covering a space a
+mile and a half long and three quarters of a mile wide. It destroyed
+practically all the business section, most of the municipal buildings,
+and twenty-eight hundred and twenty-two other buildings, making
+seventeen thousand four hundred and fifty people homeless.
+
+It burned thirteen churches, eight schools, twenty-three oil tanks,
+the City Hall, the Frost Hospital, the Board of Health building, the
+Young Men’s Christian Association, the United States Post-office,
+four newspaper plants, the Masonic Temple, three fine bank buildings,
+two fire stations, and over three thousand shade trees, and ruined
+miles of granite curbing. There were over seven hundred business firms
+and professional men burned out. They included fifty grocery stores,
+twenty-nine barber shops, twenty-eight doctors, twenty-eight tailors
+and dressmakers, twenty-one real estate offices, seventeen insurance
+offices, thirteen apothecaries, and twelve bakers.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908
+
+THE LYNN ENGINE DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES]
+
+The fire spread so rapidly that three engines were caught in its
+path and destroyed, one from Lynn and two from Boston. A peculiar
+coincidence is that one of the Boston engines was “Big 15,” bearing
+the same number as the engine which in 1834 came across the river
+and helped Chelsea put out its first fire. The insurance loss was
+$8,846,879, according to the figures given in the speech of President
+Burchell at the annual convention of the underwriters, on May 14, 1908.
+The taxable value of the property destroyed is estimated as $12,450,000
+and other personal property brought the loss close to $20,000,000.
+
+The insurance loss was well divided, although the various companies
+located in Hartford, Conn., lost in the vicinity of $1,000,000. The
+Royal of England was the heaviest single loser, with a loss roughly
+estimated at $500,000. The Phœnix and Hartford Home offices came next,
+with losses figured at $250,000 each. The losses in addition to those
+mentioned above were as follows:--
+
+  Ætna, Hartford                                  $165,000
+  American, New Jersey                              60,000
+  American Central, St. Louis                      200,000
+  American Lloyds, New York                          4,000
+  Agricultural, New York                            60,000
+  Alliance, London                                  35,000
+  Alliance, Pennsylvania                             2,500
+  Albany, New York                                   7,500
+  Ben Franklin, Pennsylvania                         5,500
+  Boston                                            90,000
+  Buffalo-German, New York                          15,000
+  Cambridge Mutual                                  30,000
+  Caledonian, Scotland                              50,000
+  Capital, New Hampshire                            10,000
+  Camden, New Jersey                                15,000
+  Citizens, Missouri                                27,000
+  Colonial, New York                                20,000
+  Concordia, Wisconsin                              32,500
+  Connecticut                                       50,000
+  County, Pennsylvania                              13,000
+  Delaware                                          35,000
+  Dixie, North Carolina                              8,000
+  Dutchess, New York                                 6,000
+  Eastern, New York                                  4,000
+  Empire City, New York                              5,000
+  Fire Association, Pennsylvania                    80,000
+  Firemen’s, New Jersey                             60,000
+  German-Alliance, New York                         30,000
+  Girard, Pennsylvania                              12,000
+  Granite State, New Hampshire                      15,000
+  Hanover, New York                                175,000
+  Hamburg Bremen, Germany                           40,000
+  Holyoke Mutual, Holyoke                          150,000
+  India Mutual, Boston                               2,500
+  Insurance Co. of North America, Pennsylvania     185,000
+  Jefferson, Pennsylvania                           35,000
+  Law Union and Crown, England                       1,000
+  Liverpool & London & Globe                       100,000
+  London & Lancashire Co                            94,700
+  London Assurance Corporation                      85,000
+  Mechanics, Pennsylvania                            3,000
+  Mercantile Fire and Marine                        15,000
+  Merchants & Farmers Mutual                        30,000
+  Middlesex Mutual, Concord                         60,000
+  Milwaukee Mechanics, Wisconsin                    12,000
+  Nassau, New York                                 $15,000
+  National, Connecticut                             60,000
+  National, Allegheny                                4,000
+  National, Pennsylvania                             2,000
+  National Union, Pennsylvania                      83,000
+  New Brunswick, New Jersey                         10,000
+  New York Underwriters                             25,000
+  Niagara, New York                                115,000
+  North River, New York                             65,000
+  North British, New York                           10,000
+  Norwich Union, England                           300,000
+  Old Colony, Boston                                 5,000
+  Orient, Connecticut                               95,750
+  Palatine, London                                  95,000
+  Pennsylvania                                      96,000
+  Phenix, New York                                 200,000
+  Philadelphia Underwriters                         35,000
+  Providence-Washington, Rhode Island               30,000
+  Queen, New York                                   95,000
+  Richmond, New York                                 1,600
+  Royal Exchange, England                           35,000
+  Scottish Union and National                       50,000
+  Security, New York                                20,000
+  Southern, Louisiana                                5,000
+  St. Paul Fire and Marine, Minnesota              $12,000
+  Spring Garden, Pennsylvania                       50,000
+  State, Pennsylvania                                7,000
+  Sun, London                                      125,000
+  Svea, Sweden                                      25,000
+  Union, Pennsylvania                               25,000
+  Western, Pennsylvania                             10,000
+
+A relief fund was raised through Messrs. Lee, Higginson & Company of
+Boston, amounting at this writing to over $350,000. The contributions
+to this fund were almost entirely from citizens of Massachusetts, as
+outside help was not asked for. They came from all classes of the
+community, and were sent in with the spontaneity and promptness with
+which the people of Massachusetts always respond to an appeal for
+merited aid.
+
+The fire traveled more rapidly than any other of the large fires. It
+reached its most distant point inside of five hours, and inside of ten
+hours all of the buildings burned were totally destroyed. How many
+persons lost their lives in the fire will probably never be known.
+Eighteen bodies were recovered, and it is safe to estimate that as many
+more were entirely burned. Over three hundred injured were treated at
+the United States Naval, United States Marine, and the Massachusetts
+Soldiers’ Home hospitals.
+
+The Metropolitan Water Commission records show that forty million
+gallons of water were used in Chelsea on April 12, instead of an
+average consumption of 3,000,583, the cost of extinguishing the fire in
+water alone being $1600.
+
+[Illustration: START OF THE FIRE NEAR THE EVERETT LINE]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE START
+
+
+The fire started a little before eleven on Sunday morning, April 12,
+1908. Its origin will probably never be positively known. The most
+plausible theory, however, is that the roof of a building of the Boston
+Blacking Company, which is located just off Summer Street, close to
+the Everett line, in the extreme western part of the city, caught fire
+from a burning pile of rags on the dump to the windward. At all events,
+the flames were first seen just before eleven o’clock licking up this
+inflammable building with its contents of oil, and sending a shower of
+sparks blown by a forty-mile gale towards the heart of the city, and an
+alarm was at once sent in.
+
+Immediately upon his arrival Fire Chief Spencer ordered a second alarm
+sounded as a matter of precaution, owing to the high wind. The firemen
+did good work and soon had the initial blaze well in check, as is shown
+by the fact that the remaining buildings of this company close by were
+saved.
+
+Soon after the second alarm was sounded the firemen and spectators were
+astonished to see the three-story rag-shop of T. Lewitzky & Son, fully
+two blocks away, burst into flames. Apparatus to successfully fight its
+burning was not available. It was this fire that doomed Chelsea, for
+sparks from it started fires in several directions.
+
+Opposite Lewitzky’s factory was the tar paper factory of Chapin &
+Sawdin. The fierce heat from the tar paper drove the firemen back.
+A shed containing a large quantity of gasoline near by soon caught
+fire and blew up, just after a man, who was trying to save it, was
+ordered off by the police. This explosion set fire to houses in the
+vicinity, which were principally of old-fashioned wooden construction,
+and allowed the fire to get such impetus that it spread out diagonally
+across the wind like a fan. When it reached Everett Avenue on the north
+and set fire to Justin S. Perkins’ hay shed it looked as if nothing
+could save the Standard Oil Station, not over two hundred feet to the
+windward. “Cy” Coben was showing his nerve by sticking to his plant,
+but it was to the Malden firemen that Chelsea people are indebted for
+the saving of the northern section of the city. They arrived just in
+the nick of time and without thought of their personal safety, or of
+the awful result if the thousands of gallons of naphtha blew up, stuck
+by and saved the building.
+
+If this plant had burned the exploding oil would have set fire to the
+great building of the Eastern Storage Company across the railroad
+track, and nothing could have prevented it making a clean sweep of
+Caryville, increasing the burned area by at least one hundred acres.
+
+As it was, the fire did not cross the tracks until an hour later, and
+then there was enough apparatus to extinguish it. After once getting
+hold of the little buildings on Maple Street, the flames almost
+simultaneously laid relentless hold of wooden buildings on all the
+surrounding streets. It raced down Summer, West Third, and Elm streets
+to Arlington Street, burning everything on Spruce Street and Everett
+Avenue.
+
+Although it took but a short time for the fire to reach and burn the
+city stables, through the energy of City Engineer O’Brion all of the
+horses, carts, harnesses, tools, etc., were saved, which was fortunate,
+as it enabled the city to set large numbers of unemployed to work the
+next day cleaning the streets.
+
+Before this time assistance had been asked of Boston, Everett, Revere,
+Lynn, Winthrop, Cambridge, Malden, Medford, and Melrose, and the
+engines soon began to arrive; but from the moment the fire crossed
+Arlington Street there was no formidable stand made against it, as it
+spread so rapidly under the impulse of the gale and stretched out over
+so long a front, backed by acres of lurid flames.
+
+[Illustration: RESPONDING TO THE FIRST ALARM]
+
+Not till it actually passed Arlington Street did people have any
+apprehension that it would not be stopped at this line, where the
+houses were of substantial brick construction. Ash Street, next to
+Arlington, was soon blazing and spreading the fire towards the railroad
+track in one direction, and Second Street in the other. The people on
+Walnut Street, next beyond, began moving out, and soon Union Park, near
+by, was filled with household goods. Women with babies in their arms
+stood huddled in the smoke, old men stood guard over the few things
+they had saved, and crying children hunted in vain for their parents.
+All the section about Walnut Street was inhabited by poor people with
+large families; Jews predominated, but all nations were represented.
+Many could not speak English, and panic seized all.
+
+It seems as if every one tried first to save a mattress, which would
+become ignited before it was carried a block, and add to the volume
+of the flames. The yards and open spaces were strewn with old bedding
+and other inflammable material, which assisted in spreading the
+fire. Trunks and other heavy things were dropped from upper windows,
+regardless of those beneath. In some cases men and women fought as to
+what they would save, while their houses burned. One man loaded a team
+with old junk; some women cried and refused to look at the flames,
+others were hysterical and looked and laughed. Many Jewish women
+carried live hens in their arms. All fled towards the park, but this
+haven of refuge was only temporary, for soon the suffocating smoke
+drove them out, and a few minutes later the flames destroyed most of
+the property laboriously removed from the houses. From here people
+dragging little ones or some article of furniture made for the railroad
+station, with the flames in close pursuit.
+
+While the human beings were having such a hard time of it, dogs and
+cats were also having their sufferings. Looking out into Walnut Street
+one dog was seen, that had once been black, rushing madly about; its
+hide had been singed to a crisp, and when last seen it was headed right
+into the flames. On many streets dogs, cats, and hens were found after
+the fire, burned to death, and many horses also perished, as more would
+have, but for heroic work. In one instance Frank W. Wentworth, with
+some help, saved nineteen horses from a burning building by covering
+their eyes with blankets.
+
+Huntington Smith of the Animal Rescue League estimates that as many as
+two thousand cats were burned to death. He says that these figures are
+conservative, and gives as the reason their devotion to their homes;
+dogs, on the other hand, are more devoted to their masters, whom they
+followed, and for this reason very few perished.
+
+From Walnut Street the fire leaped across Fifth and entered the windows
+of the new Jewish synagogue and literally lapped it up, and then hurled
+itself against the imposing brick walls of the Central Congregational
+Church at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets. This church is one
+of the largest in the city, yet the flames took but a few moments to
+go from the basement up through the immense auditorium into the tower.
+While these buildings were burning the fire had destroyed on the other
+side of the city and at intermediate places the African Methodist
+Church, two Jewish synagogues, one on Walnut Street and one on Fourth
+Street, the Williams School, the Universalist Church and the Polish
+Church on Chestnut Street, and was headed straight for Broadway.
+
+The Universalist Church caught first in the steeple, as did most of the
+churches. It burned very slowly, but finally the great golden cross
+fell with a crash into Fourth Street. After this the pastor, Rev. R.
+Perry Bush, went in by a back way and up into the pulpit to take a last
+look at the familiar scene which was so dear to him. In a lecture which
+he afterwards gave he described his feelings very dramatically, and
+said that he stood in the pulpit until the church was filled with smoke
+and the flames broke through the big stained glass window, then saying,
+“Good-by, dear old church,” he went as he came.
+
+The deacons had saved the communion service and had loaded a team with
+other church property, including valuable books and documents. On top
+of these they piled many pew cushions,--a fatal error. To quote Dr.
+Bush, “Do not ever try to save cushions under such conditions; if we
+hadn’t tried to, we would have our books and papers to-day.” The
+cushions caught fire before they had been taken two blocks and were
+instrumental in setting fire to several wooden houses in the vicinity
+of Chestnut Street and Washington Avenue.
+
+Chestnut Street was, until a few years ago, one of the best streets
+in the city, and parts of it were still considered very nice. Among
+the prominent people still living on the street was Dr. J. B. Fenwick,
+whose wife lost her life in the fire, together with her niece, Mrs.
+Walter C. Barnes, of New York, and Elvina Boyn, Mrs. Fenwick’s maid.
+Mrs. Fenwick was prominent in Chelsea, being a member of the School
+Board and an active member of the Woman’s Club.
+
+It is not known how the women met their death, but it is believed they
+left the house by the rear door, as the street in front was thick with
+smoke and flying fire brands. They may have first turned up Cherry
+Street, a narrow street which ran past the rear of their house, and
+been stopped by the falling tower of the Polish Church. This would
+have caused them to return towards Fourth Street. At about this time
+Granite Block on Broadway, directly back of which their bodies were
+found, was dynamited in an attempt to stop the conflagration, and the
+women probably took shelter in the porch of the building where their
+bodies were found, and were overcome by smoke.
+
+[Illustration: GRANITE BLOCK, DYNAMITED DURING THE FIRE]
+
+Dr. George Fenwick, the son, has told friends that the last he saw
+of them was on the second floor of his home. As he was going to his
+room on the third floor Mrs. Barnes stopped him and handed him a wet
+towel to put over his face. The house had not yet caught fire, but
+the windows were cracked and broken by the heat from the fires across
+the street, and the building was full of smoke. He says he was not in
+his room over five minutes collecting his valuables. When he returned
+downstairs the women had left, and after making sure of this fact
+he made a dash down the street to the fire lines. Here he met his
+father, who had previously gone out with things of value and was not
+allowed to return. As the women left before young Dr. Fenwick, both men
+supposed them safe, and getting out their automobile, which was at a
+garage, helped others save property. The bodies were not found for four
+days.
+
+On Chestnut Street, not far from the Fenwicks, lived Miss Ellen
+M. Stone, the missionary, who a few years before was captured by
+Macedonian brigands and held for a large ransom. People from all over
+this country contributed. Her home was filled with priceless souvenirs
+and a great many valuable books. Miss Stone was away from home over
+Sunday, and her servants had been given a holiday. Her brother, knowing
+that she was out of town, secured a horse and express wagon and drove
+to the house to save whatever might be possible. The doors, of course,
+were locked, and while he was battering one in the structure caught
+fire. When the door finally yielded the interior was all ablaze, and
+Mr. Stone had to flee without saving a thing.
+
+Captain Frederick M. Whiting of the Eleventh Company, Coast Artillery
+Corps, also lived on Chestnut Street. When his company was ordered out,
+he went with it. When the fire reached his home, his brother gathered
+some valuables into a trunk and removed them to the Armory for safe
+keeping, but later the Armory burned and they were lost.
+
+Dr. J. M. Putnam was another resident of Chestnut Street, and was
+fortunate enough to save a few things with the aid of his son, Dr.
+Ralph Putnam, who came over from Winchester.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+BEYOND CONTROL
+
+
+Every one seemed to feel sure that the fire would be stopped at
+Broadway, as the buildings on this street were substantial structures
+built of stone and brick, and no one even then judged rightly the havoc
+which must ensue before the fury would abate.
+
+The local militia (the Fifth Company, Coast Artillery Corps) had been
+summoned, and the militiamen had donned their service uniforms and
+overcoats, leaving in their lockers, in security as they supposed,
+their civilian clothes, their watches, and pocket money. Hardly had
+they been assigned to their posts before Broadway was threatened,
+and soon their new $100,000 Armory became a volcano of flame as the
+element of destruction spread on.
+
+It first reached Broadway between Third and Fourth streets. Here a
+heavy battery of engines was assembled to prevent its crossing, but the
+efforts of man and the floods of water were of no avail; the fire was
+beyond human control.
+
+Up to now the flames had rushed through the foreign tenement district,
+but when it passed Chestnut Street it entered the business center.
+Before the fire had even reached Chestnut and Fifth streets awnings
+in Bassett Square, two and three blocks away, caught fire. The fire
+reached Bellingham Station about two o’clock. The sight from here,
+looking down Broadway and Hawthorne Street, was beyond description. The
+fire fairly lay across the streets in a cyclonic whirl of flame.
+
+All at once out of Hawthorne Street shot an engine, as if coming out of
+a cannon. The driver was almost doubled up and the horses were going
+at a two-twenty clip; where they came from or how they ever got out of
+that furnace alive is a mystery.
+
+The new six story brick Young Men’s Christian Association building
+caught first in the upper story and then all over; hose was burned
+at this point as fast as it was laid. An electric car of the Boston
+and Northern Railroad which had been stopped on Broadway, just below
+Bellingham, by the shutting off of the power, was pushed up the street
+and over the bridge to safety by fully a hundred men.
+
+Beyond Broadway lay blocks of substantial residences. The flames were
+gnawing up the structures on Hawthorne Street, and the Unitarian Church
+and Newspaper Row on Fourth Street were quickly burned. The fury of the
+spreading flames was indescribable. There would be no sign of fire in
+a building, when all at once it would seem to fairly burst into flames
+and simply melt away. One large double house, which was timed, took
+just eight minutes to burn from the moment the flames were first seen
+until the building was a mass of ruins in the cellar.
+
+All this time people were fleeing from the fire, many moving things
+to what they considered a place of safety, only to be obliged to move
+them again and eventually have them burned. Many people who lived
+east of Broadway went out to see the fire before it had crossed that
+thoroughfare, only to return and find their homes either on fire
+or already destroyed. No one seemed to realize how fast the fire
+was traveling, except those who fought it. If people had heeded the
+first warnings of the soldiers and the police, many could have saved
+something, but they waited, not wishing to appear timid, and afraid of
+ridicule if they started to move too soon. In the face of the great
+battle they had to fight, firemen and police officers could not give
+heed to the frantic appeals of women to save furniture.
+
+[Illustration: A BOSTON FIRE BOAT FIGHTING THE FIRE]
+
+Many people, when they realized that they had lost everything, threw
+themselves in the street and cried aloud in their suffering. It was no
+uncommon sight to see white-faced women walking aimlessly along the
+street, heedless of where they were going, yet carrying a frying pan or
+tin dipper. One man rushed into his house, at the risk of his own life,
+to save the family cat. After carrying it a block the cat scratched
+itself free and dashed back into its burning home. Hundreds of people
+saved canary birds, and one woman came along the street with a statue,
+which had no head or feet, under one arm, and a bird cage with a cat
+in it under the other. When asked why she was saving the broken statue
+she looked at it in a dazed sort of a way and threw it away in disgust,
+and then wonderingly inquired how her bird had got out of the cage,
+never realizing that the cat had eaten it. One woman, remembering
+that she had left a pocket-book containing $17 on her dining-room
+table, rushed back into her home and grabbed up what she thought was
+her pocket-book, but when she had gotten several blocks away she found
+that in her excitement she had taken a piece of cut glass instead, and
+it was then too late to return. Another woman was ordered out of her
+house by a militiaman, but would not go until she had first filled her
+teakettle with water. Afterward she couldn’t explain why herself. Many
+people went temporarily insane. On the Washington Avenue bridge one
+man stood for hours making appeals for volunteers to fight the fire;
+his coat was off and his hair was mussed. People paid no heed to his
+frantic gestures, but he probably imagined he was saving the city.
+Another man committed suicide by shooting himself near Union Park. Some
+lost the power of speech, but under the circumstances the number of
+minds affected was small.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908
+
+BROWN STONE HOUSES FARED NO BETTER THAN WOODEN TENEMENTS]
+
+One woman lugged a great marble clock under one arm and a dog under
+the other for three quarters of a mile. The dog couldn’t lay down for
+three days, she had held him so tight. Many people saved things of
+little value and left things impossible to replace. One man carried
+twenty-two pieces of cut glass loose and unpacked, tied up in a
+sheet and thrown over his shoulder, for over a mile, through all the
+excitement, and not one piece was smashed.
+
+A fireman entered Freeman’s drug store while it was burning and taking
+the reflection of himself in the long mirror at the end of the store
+for another fireman walked through the glass.
+
+Two men trying to save an upright piano gave it up when the cloth in
+the back caught fire. One opened the lid and played “There’ll be a
+hot time in the old town to-night,” while the buildings all about him
+burned.
+
+Fate was especially kind to Eli C. Bliss, who lived in what is called
+Chestnut Street Pocket,--a short blind end of Chestnut Street beyond
+Washington Avenue, ending in a steep embankment at the railroad
+tracks. The fire approached so rapidly that escape was impossible,
+except by way of the embankment. Just as Mr. Bliss was leaving his
+attractive home a passing freight train stopped directly at the end of
+the street, and the train crew rushed up the bank and announced that
+they had two empty box cars. Working like demons nearly everything in
+the house of any value, including a grand piano, a lot of old mahogany
+furniture, books, and paintings, was piled into the cars, until they
+were nearly full. The train then pulled out just as the house commenced
+to burn, none too soon, as the cars were smoking themselves. Mr. Bliss
+later located his furniture in Lynn, after it had landed in Portland
+and been shipped back.
+
+[Illustration: JUNCTION OF WASHINGTON AVENUE AND BROADWAY BEFORE THE
+FIRE]
+
+The railroad tracks which passed through this part of the city have
+always been considered an eyesore and have been the cause of much
+regret to many residents. There is not a resident of Chelsea to-day,
+however, who is not glad of their presence, as they were the means of
+saving the northern part of the city, the best residential section. The
+fire burned only a single building north of the tracks.
+
+Not far from the Bliss estate lived the Millers. Miss Edith Miller was
+to be married in a few days, but so hurriedly were they obliged to
+leave that not even her wedding dress was saved, and all her beautiful
+presents and trousseau were lost.
+
+When the fire started up Mount Bellingham, hurried calls were made for
+ambulances to take the patients out of the Frost Hospital. There were
+twenty-five patients suffering from different injuries and diseases in
+the building, and the doctors and nurses showed great heroism. But for
+their running into the street and hailing all the automobiles and teams
+in the vicinity, and making them carry the patients to the other three
+hospitals in the city, none would have been saved. As it was, before
+the last patient was out the roof was blazing. Meanwhile the children
+at the day nursery had been taken care of and were nicely housed,
+thanks to Mr. Jesse Knowlton, at his home on Powderhorn Hill.
+
+The City Hall did not last long after the flames took their first
+mouthful. The city treasurer, Thomas B. Frost, early recognized the
+peril and removed all the city funds, while the books were locked
+in the safes by the city clerk, Charles H. Reed, who stayed in the
+building so long, saving property, that he was obliged to make his
+escape through a second-story window. The beautiful Baptist Church
+across the street melted away before the flames in a few minutes.
+
+Many people made a frightful mistake by thinking they were safe in
+fleeing to the Garden Cemetery. Those who did were surrounded on all
+sides by the flames, and for hours they crouched behind tombs, fighting
+the burning embers and gasping for breath.
+
+The flames fairly shot up Bellingham Street, on which were many fine
+homes. Chief among them, on the very top of the hill, was the beautiful
+estate of Ex-Mayor Thomas Strahan, filled with valuable paintings,
+tapestries, and art treasures, collected from all parts of the world.
+The house was of brick and stone with a slate roof and plenty of land
+about it, and it seemed as if it could be saved. The view from the
+tower of the Strahan house can never be forgotten. As far as one could
+see, a seething mass of flame, like a tidal wave, was rolling up the
+hill. So fast had the fire approached that the Lynn engine, stationed
+halfway up Bellingham Street, was unable to get away. The firemen did
+not abandon it until their faces were burned and their hair singed. It
+was beyond human force to withstand the terrific heat and suffocating
+smoke, and it was with difficulty, when they finally abandoned it, that
+they were able to save their lives, as the fire completely surrounded
+them.
+
+[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF EX-MAYOR THOMAS STRAHAN BEFORE AND AFTER
+THE FIRE]
+
+At this time the fire had already passed the Strahan house in the
+valley to the left, and the Highland School, halfway up the hill on
+that side, was in flames. Great pieces of burning wood came into the
+tower and the wind was so strong that it was hard to stand against it.
+
+So fascinating was the sight that it was not until the Strahan
+barn, only a few feet away, burst into flames, as if it was made
+of celluloid, that the writer descended from the tower to help the
+Strahans to escape; but they, like too many others, had waited too
+long, in hopes their home would be saved. With the help of the servants
+we carried out several blankets filled with clothing, a chest of silver
+and some jewelry, leaving thousands of dollars’ worth of beautiful
+things to be devoured by the flames.
+
+We fled down the hill in the direction of Orient Heights. Hundreds were
+going the same way; poor and rich were on equal terms. The wind blew
+with such force that women were blown into fences and trees or lost
+their balance and fell. Great pieces of furniture went bounding end
+over end down the hill, blown by the wind. Horses were running away,
+and the scene was one of terrifying confusion. Escape was possible
+only by enduring the hostile breath of the flames, running, tripping
+over abandoned furniture in the blinding, sickening smoke, towards
+the marshes to the northeast, where, although safe from the flames,
+the refugees suffered untold agony from the hail-storm of stones and
+showers of blazing embers that fell upon them, burning holes in their
+clothes and starting grass fires in every direction.
+
+One old lady’s celluloid back comb caught fire and her white hair was
+burned down to the scalp in back before the flames could be smothered.
+The many horses set loose on the marsh also endangered lives. The wails
+of hundreds of frantic parents vainly searching for their children
+added to the excitement. One mother fell in a dead faint when her
+two-year-old child, whom she had given up as lost, was brought to her.
+
+In the crowd racing down Mount Bellingham were many men, who had
+assumed the duties of clearing houses of inmates, lending a hand to all
+the weak and faltering, until they themselves were obliged to flee for
+their lives. Perhaps the most touching spectacle was the old people,
+forgotten by their relatives. In many cases these old women had to be
+carried bodily to safety, and it speaks well for the city that there
+were men doing this work amid the confusion and at the risk of their
+own lives. Men and boys, crazed by the thought of losing their homes,
+clambered to the roofs and tried to save them with puny buckets of
+water, replying to frantic warnings to escape while there was time,
+only with curses, until in many cases they had to be driven by blows to
+a place of safety.
+
+The flames came down the hill like a forest fire. They were upon the
+people before they realized it, and when they attacked at the front
+door there was but one thing to do, and that was to make a rush for the
+rear door.
+
+In the meanwhile, on the south side of the city the fire had burned
+from building to building. There was no stopping it, although the
+firemen worked desperately. It kept on towards the water front until it
+reached the buildings of the Tidewater Oil Company. Here five oil tanks
+caught fire and exploded and set fire to the docks along the water
+front, and then three barges loaded with oil a little farther on caught
+fire and spread to the Ellis yard, where more oil was stored. The fire
+boats came as near as they dared and poured streams of water on the
+flames, but it was like trying to check a volcanic eruption.
+
+The two bridges to East Boston next fell and cut off this means of
+escape, and in this way a Boston engine was burned and a boy lost his
+life. Near the bridges were many fine yachts, that of Mr. Seaver being
+worth $50,000. This, and many other vessels, were burnt. One broke
+away from its moorings and drifted to the East Boston shore, setting
+fire to the Standard Oil Works. This was about four o’clock, but from
+the time the fire began to spread into the east side of Chelsea, East
+Boston was in peril from the shower of sparks and burning brands which
+the high wind swept over its roofs. More than half the residents packed
+their belongings and were ready to move at a moment’s notice. Despite
+the desperate efforts of the many engines the flames spread to a
+one-story brick building, containing three hundred barrels of oil, and
+soon four other buildings of the plant were burning. Next the great oil
+tanks went up, the flames shooting several hundred feet into the air
+and sending skyward great clouds of flame and thick, black smoke. This
+swept down the harbor, across the bay, and out to sea, continuing to do
+so for two days and two nights. Reports from Scituate, Cohasset, and
+other places showed that showers of embers dropped from the clouds,
+and in places good-sized pieces of burnt shingles were picked up.
+Grass fires were started in Nantasket and Winthrop. The glare from the
+fire in the evening was seen from Portland, Me. The natives at first
+believed it to be York Beach, it was so bright.
+
+Meanwhile about fifty houses in East Boston had their roofs badly
+damaged. These fires, however, mark the extreme limit of the flames in
+this direction and were soon extinguished.
+
+Although much credit is due the firemen, they were greatly helped by
+the fact that the velocity of the wind began to decrease about the time
+the oil works caught fire.
+
+While this contest was being waged, another army of firemen was
+struggling on the north. About two o’clock the Armory burned; and
+when it was all ablaze, a large quantity of ammunition which was
+stored in the building exploded with a tremendous report, while tons
+of burning wood were shot across the street and into the adjoining
+buildings.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908
+
+BOSTON AND ALBANY RAILROAD BRIDGE, WITH WRECKED EAST BOSTON BRIDGE AND
+BURNING OIL TANKS]
+
+The Public Library directly across the street, a gift to the city
+from the Hon. Eustis C. Fitz, containing over eighty thousand volumes
+and many historical records and relics, caught and burned without an
+attempt being made to save it or its contents.
+
+One of the best illustrations of the heat of the fire to those familiar
+with the burning of books, is the fact that after the fire not one
+scrap of paper was found. Granite will often crumble and iron melt
+before a book will be totally burned up.
+
+The Convent and Parochial School also were among the buildings which
+caught from the Armory, and the twenty-eight sisters made a hasty
+departure. Next went Saint Rose Catholic Church, remodeled at an
+expense of $50,000 a short time before. Beyond this was the railroad
+track, and here a determined stand was made. Thousands of people lined
+the opposite side of the track, and water was played on most of the
+buildings. Soon after the Catholic Church commenced to burn the Melrose
+fire department crossed the track with a line of hose and climbed the
+steep bank just in the rear of the church, which was like a flaming
+furnace. Hardly had they got the water on when the roof fell. The heat
+was so terrific that the firemen who held the hose were obliged to drop
+flat on their faces with their hands under their bodies. Even then they
+were more or less burned about the neck and ears. One fireman, who was
+nearest the building, groaned in agony, “Give me hell in preference to
+this.”
+
+On Washington Avenue there stand to-day three wooden houses. They are
+the only buildings, with the exception of part of Cobb’s stable on
+Broadway, which were saved on that side of the Boston and Maine tracks,
+and that they are still standing is due to two things:--
+
+First, to the fact that Union Park and the park at the station are in
+the rear and the fire had to burn around them and then up into the
+wind.
+
+Second, to Dr. Thomas Green and Robert Hamilton, who, after the others
+had deserted their homes, remained and helped the firemen.
+
+On the south of the city firemen were stubbornly fighting to save
+Winnisimmet Square. The flames upon spreading along Everett Avenue had
+made away with the great Chelsea Trust Company building on the corner
+of Everett Avenue and Broadway. They then reached out to the other
+corner and caught on every floor of the building. Across the street was
+the Post-office and this was doomed, but at the Park Hotel the flames
+were checked.
+
+[Illustration: THE FITZ PUBLIC LIBRARY BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+UNDER CONTROL
+
+
+By six o’clock the firemen were keeping the fire confined to the
+buildings already burned on the south. On the north they had succeeded
+in preventing its crossing the railroad tracks, and on the east and
+west it had burned itself out, while in East Boston the firemen seemed
+to be holding their own. It was not until one o’clock in the morning,
+however, that Commissioner Parker announced that all danger of its
+further spreading had passed.
+
+Late in the afternoon the United States marines from the Navy Yard,
+who had been ordered to Chelsea by Admiral Swift, arrived in Chelsea
+Square. The detail consisted of one hundred and ten men under command
+of Captain C. S. Hill, Lieutenants Moses, Williams, and Judson, with
+rifles and ball cartridges, and they at once cleared the square and the
+surrounding streets, and assisted the firemen in many ways.
+
+The good work done by this corps and their ability to carry out
+instructions is well illustrated by a story which went the rounds at
+the Puritan Club a few days later, at the expense of Harry Frothingham,
+one of the members.
+
+It seems that the former Boston fire commissioner, “Ben” Wells, and Mr.
+Frothingham went over to Chelsea, arriving shortly after the marines
+had cleared the square. Mr. Wells’ fire badge admitted him through
+the lines, and although Mr. Frothingham had no badge, he got through
+at the same time. Reporters who recognized Mr. Wells joined him,
+anxious to get an interview from a man of so much experience in fires.
+A corporal of the guard who saw the crowd broke in with the remark,
+“Have you fellows all got badges?” Mr. Frothingham had none and the
+corporal ordered him out. The reporters could not stand for this,
+and one excitedly exclaimed, “Look here, what are you doing? That is
+Ex-Alderman Frothingham, and he is with Ex-Fire Commissioner Wells.” “I
+don’t care who he is or who he’s with; if he hasn’t got a badge, out
+he goes,” replied the corporal, and turning to one of his men he said,
+“Put that man out and keep him out. See!” and Mr. Frothingham went.
+
+[Illustration: WHERE THE FIRE WAS STOPPED ON SIXTH STREET]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+NIGHT AMONG THE RUINS
+
+
+As night approached the problem of protecting the seventeen thousand
+refugees and their goods confronted those in authority, and it was
+realized that it was too great for the local artillery company and the
+detail from the Marine Corps to handle. The State was called upon for
+more military assistance and eight companies of the Coast Artillery,
+four of the Fifth Infantry, six of the Eighth Infantry, and four of the
+First Corps of Cadets were rushed to the scene, making twelve hundred
+troops on duty before morning. At ten thirty the city was declared
+under martial law, and no one was allowed in or out until morning.
+Seven hundred tents and seven hundred and fifty blankets were ordered
+down from the barracks at South Framingham, and a special train with
+Battalion Adjutant Kendall in charge brought them through in record
+time, arriving shortly after midnight. All trains on the Boston and
+Maine, and all electric cars on the Boston and Northern and the Boston
+Elevated had been stopped. The Chelsea Ferry was commanded to cease
+its trips and a cordon of soldiers was thrown entirely about the city.
+At the principal approaches it is estimated that one hundred thousand
+curious people were turned back. The telephone exchange had been burned
+and of course the service was useless. Early in the day the electric
+power plant was shut down to prevent death by live wires, and the
+streets outside the burned district would have been dark, but for the
+glow which was reflected from the sky and the moon, which dimly beamed
+through the pall of smoke. At the Court House, where scores of injured
+were taken in ambulances, doctors and nurses, under charge of Dr. J.
+A. Johnson, worked as best they could by the light of lanterns.
+
+In the court room were homeless women huddled in gray despairing heaps
+on the hard benches. At the back of the room rows of rubber-coated
+men leaned back on their hard benches, their inflamed eyes completely
+hidden by squares of soft absorbent cotton, soaked with ointments,
+which showed up with startling effect against their blackened faces. In
+the center of the room, under the sickly ray of a red lantern, stood
+the big court table piled high with thick square loaves of bread,
+big four-gallon cans of milk, and fifty-gallon cans of coffee. At
+either end of this table were well-dressed women, their faces pale and
+haggard, one cutting slices of bread and others pouring coffee. Men ate
+in huge gulps and drank from thick white mugs and quart dippers, then
+rushed out to the fire, taking handfuls of food to those who could not
+leave their engines. The difference between the room, with its misery
+and confusion, and the orderly hall of justice for which it had served
+up to that day, was as marked a contrast as could readily be imagined.
+
+All night long ambulances dashed from the ruins to the United States
+Naval Hospital, where, under the direction of Medical Inspector H.
+E. Ames of the United States Navy the majority of the injured were
+treated, and to the United States Marine and Soldiers’ Home hospitals,
+and but for the unflagging efforts of the hospital sergeants, doctors,
+and nurses many more lives would have been lost.
+
+[Illustration: RUINS OF THE CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH]
+
+One man, when picked up by the ambulance with his face and arms
+terribly burned, was nearly dead. Attempts were made to learn his name
+in case he should die, but in reply to the attendant’s question he only
+moaned, “My God! My God!” Another man was picked up with both legs
+broken, still another had a terrible gash in his forehead caused by
+a falling wall, another man fell from a roof and broke two ribs, and so
+it went. In all, three hundred injured persons were treated.
+
+Mayor Beck, who had lost his home and his newspaper plant, was
+everywhere, and it was nearly morning when he lay down on a policeman’s
+cot at the station for a few hours’ sleep. Many of the policemen who
+were on duty lost their homes, but stuck to their posts, although they
+did not know where their wives and families were.
+
+About midnight a gang of men started to clear the street railway tracks
+on Broadway and Everett Avenue, which are the outlets from Boston
+to many of the northern suburbs. In places they were piled several
+feet high with bricks, granite blocks, and other debris. The rails
+themselves had been twisted and bent into all conceivable shapes by
+the heat, and the trolley wires and poles were down. In spite of the
+several miles of track thus destroyed the company ran cars through
+the city the second day after the fire. Through the orders of Henry
+Mitchell, chairman of the High School Committee, the doors of the
+High School on Crescent Avenue had been thrown open early in the day
+to hundreds of women and children who were wandering aimlessly about
+the streets and parks. The corridors were now filled to overflowing
+with sobbing women, little children, and a few old men. Husbands and
+brothers were out hunting for relatives, directing people to shelter
+or helping in some other way. Few men slept during that night, and
+hundreds had their eyes so badly burned and inflamed by the smoke and
+heat that they were in great pain.
+
+The High School could hold only a limited number, and it was pitiful
+to see women and children huddled together for warmth in little groups
+along the railroad tracks, in the parks, or in side streets. Thousands
+flocked to Powderhorn Hill and spent the night sobbing out some story
+of woe to any bystander who might seem at all interested.
+
+During the evening a citizens’ meeting was held in the High School,
+which was attended by many prominent men. A Relief Committee was formed
+to care for the destitute and needy. Mr. Wm. E. McClintock, chairman
+of the State Highway Commission, was chosen chairman; City Treasurer
+Thomas B. Frost, treasurer, and Benjamin P. Nichols, secretary. After
+sending out the following letter of appeal the meeting was adjourned
+until eight o’clock in the morning.
+
+      “Chelsea, April 12, 1908.
+
+    “We have been visited by a most terrible catastrophe. One half
+    the area of our city has been swept by fire. Fifteen thousand
+    people are homeless.
+
+    “Twelve million dollars’ worth of property has been destroyed.
+    Our business section is almost wholly wiped out. We are in sore
+    need. We have not lost our courage, but are applying ourselves
+    with all our ability to the task before us.
+
+    “But that task is stupendous, and we ask assistance of all who
+    are beneficently inclined. He who gives quickly gives double.
+    Subscriptions may be sent to City Treasurer Thomas B. Frost.”
+
+    (Signed)
+
+      “JOHN E. BECK,
+
+      “Mayor of Chelsea.
+
+      “WILLIAM E. MCCLINTOCK,
+
+      “Chairman of Relief Committee.”
+
+Later it was decided to accept no aid outside the State of
+Massachusetts.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908
+
+A VAST EXPANSE OF RUINS]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+DAY DAWNS UPON THE RUINS
+
+
+As the sky grew light and the morning mist cleared away, it disclosed a
+vast expanse of smoking ruins. The night had passed, and what a night!
+filled with vivid, awful memories of the dead and injured, the homeless
+and destitute. The great blackened tract over which the fire had swept,
+which only the day before had been covered with dwellings, stores, and
+public buildings, was deserted, save for the soldiers, and here and
+there little groups of firemen, tired and worn out, but still working.
+As it grew lighter more people appeared. On the playground to the west
+soldiers were pitching tents for the homeless. As far as one could see
+lay nothing but a barren waste, with here and there the ragged walls
+of a church or school standing out against the sky, like the ruins of
+some old castle.
+
+On the sides of Bellingham Hill, with the exception of the walls of
+the Highland School, nothing remained. Far off in the distance towards
+the west stood the ruins of the big Frank B. Fay School, named for
+Chelsea’s war mayor.
+
+[Illustration: THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE]
+
+Broadway had been partly cleared during the night and was passable.
+The other streets, however, were piled with debris. The telephone,
+electric light, and street railway wires were in a tangled mass all
+over the city. In spite of this, by noon the telephone people had six
+lines operating for official business. A line of hose had been kept
+playing on the vaults of the County Savings Bank all night, and about
+ten o’clock they were opened. A great cloud of smoke poured out, but
+the contents were intact, giving confidence to the other bank officials
+that their securities were safe, which later proved true. To the
+southeast the huge oil tanks still belched forth clouds of smoke and
+flame, showing that here the fight was not yet over.
+
+The granite curbs that edged the streets were crumbled into little
+piles of sand and gravel, and in the entire area there was not enough
+inflammable material to kindle a kitchen fire. So intense and searching
+had been the heat that the telegraph poles in places were burned two
+feet into the ground. Nowhere were there any ashes; they had all gone
+with the gale. It was the most complete sweep that could be imagined;
+hardly a brick wall stood, save those of public buildings. The sight
+was like nothing so much as the skeleton of Pompeii, with the great
+smoke clouds of the oil tanks to represent Vesuvius in eruption. The
+cellars were often filled with glowing coals, with here and there a
+darting flame and drifts of black smoke.
+
+The horror of the devastation thrilled the tingling nerves, and it all
+seemed like a fearful dream until a sharp, “Halt! Who’s there?” from a
+guard, brought back the reality of the thing.
+
+With the dawn the people of Chelsea got their first glimpse of the
+burnt area, and began to realize what the fire demon had accomplished.
+The work of over one hundred years had been destroyed in a few hours.
+In every direction were the skeletons of what had been beautiful shade
+trees that it had taken God fifty years to grow, and which “Hell’s
+breath” had withered and killed in a few minutes.
+
+With the daylight people took courage; there was no weeping, and
+the excited crowds of the day before were no more. Men who had lost
+everything smiled and extended sympathy to others. The one thing that
+impressed the observer was the matter-of-fact way in which all took
+their losses. They kept their troubles to themselves and got to work
+helping others.
+
+[Illustration: SHURTLEFF STREET BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE FIREMEN
+
+
+No set of men ever worked harder than the firemen. They put up as
+gallant a fight as was ever fought on a battlefield. Old men, who had
+spent their lives fighting the flames, admitted that it was the hottest
+fire that they had ever seen. No amount of apparatus could have stopped
+it after the second fire had got started. The way the gale swept the
+flames along was beyond comprehension.
+
+The Chelsea firemen had been kept constantly on the jump for two
+years previous to the fire in the performance of their duties, and
+when this fire started they, like other citizens, thought it would be
+extinguished, as many others had been in that district, without much
+loss, but the second fire changed everything.
+
+At the meeting of the Fire Chiefs’ Club of Massachusetts, held at the
+Hotel Cecil, Boston, on April 15, the sentiment expressed was that
+no fire-fighter in the country could have done any better than Chief
+Spencer, with such odds against him, and as a token of their sympathy
+and esteem they elected him their president. They agreed, however, that
+the fire was not handled systematically, but that this was through
+no fault of Chief Spencer. If he had had a corps of deputies, there
+would have been some one in authority to meet the out-of-town firemen
+when they arrived. As it was, these companies had to rely on their own
+judgment and get to work without making a report.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COURTESY OF UTICA SATURDAY GLOBE
+
+CHIEF SPENCER DURING THE FIRE]
+
+And speaking of Chief Spencer, a good story is told at his expense.
+During the fire a bundle of woman’s wearing apparel was left at the
+Central Fire Station for safety. Shortly after Chief Spencer entered
+the building and threw his hat down upon the bundle, and when he
+left, hurriedly grabbed up a different hat. Later in the day the
+Central Fire Station burned, and one of the firemen, assuming that
+the chief had packed up his uniform in the bundle from the fact that
+his hat was on top of it, with much difficulty carried the bundle to
+a place of safety. The next day the man proudly went to his chief and
+notified him that he had saved his uniform. The chief was greatly
+surprised, but naturally pleased, and thanked him cordially, at which
+the blushing fireman replied he was glad to have been of service to
+him. The chief sent for the things, and notified his wife that he had
+sent his uniform home and asked her to open the bundle and hang it up.
+But it was up to the chief to explain, when his wife met him in the
+front hall with indescribable articles of female wearing apparel and
+demanded to know if they were a part of his uniform.
+
+Many firemen were injured or burned during the day; all suffered
+terribly with their eyes, and men like Dr. W. S. Walkley (and there
+were a lot of them), who went about among the firemen bathing their
+eyes and putting cold cream on their burns, were a godsend and did much
+good.
+
+A great many Chelsea firemen lost their homes, but even when it became
+apparent that they were to be destroyed, they did not waver, but stuck
+to their duty. They would enter a burning building with their hose and
+stay there in an attempt to save it until their clothes were on fire,
+enduring suffocating smoke and intense heat, and many times did not
+leave their positions until their lines commenced to burn. In many
+cases they stuck to their posts, playing streams of water on burning
+oil tanks and buildings containing explosives, when at any moment they
+were liable to be blown into eternity. Their courage and their loyalty
+to their superior officers will always be a lesson to follow to those
+who were among them. No criticisms have been made of their work; it
+has been universally acknowledged that no human agency could have won
+out against such odds on that day.
+
+The following letter, sent by Mayor Hibbard of Boston to Fire
+Commissioner Parker, would apply to the firemen from any of the many
+cities that gave aid to Chelsea. Each department was responsible for
+checking the fire and saving some portion of the city.
+
+      “April 15, 1908.
+
+      “Samuel D. Parker, Esq.,
+
+      “Fire Commissioner:
+
+    “My Dear Mr. Parker,--I congratulate you and the officers
+    and men of the Fire Department on behalf of the city for the
+    magnificent work done in the Chelsea and East Boston fires on
+    Sunday last.
+
+    “The latter district owes its preservation to the courage and
+    ability of the Fire Department of the city of Boston.
+
+    “Only those familiar with the conditions can appreciate how
+    magnificently the work was handled.
+
+    “Let me add my personal thanks and congratulations to you and
+    your men.
+
+      “Yours very truly,
+
+      “G. A. HIBBARD, Mayor.”
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908
+
+THE EIGHTH COMPANY, COAST ARTILLERY, KEEPING BACK THE CROWD IN
+WINNISIMMET SQUARE]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE MILITIA
+
+
+Troops arrived all night on April 12, coming from different parts of
+the State. They were quartered in the electric cars stalled in Chelsea
+Square, in Grand Army Hall, in stores, and in fact, about any place
+where they happened to be. It mattered little, as very few men got a
+chance to sleep. Headquarters were established at the Police Station
+in the Court House, Colonel Charles P. Nutter taking command, being
+relieved later by Colonel E. Leroy Sweetser. A very heavy sentry detail
+was swung out during the night, forming a complete cordon around
+the burned area and the houses on the edge, which were only partly
+destroyed. Each man had ten rounds of ball cartridges issued him with
+instructions to use them if his challenge was unheeded. Orders had
+been issued to pass no one in or out of the burned area during the
+night, but early in the morning orders were given to admit those with
+passes.
+
+The following is the first general order issued in Chelsea:--
+
+                                “Headquarters Provisional Battalion,
+                                      Chelsea, Mass, April 13, 1908.
+
+    “General Orders No. 1:
+
+    “1. The headquarters of this Battalion will be at police
+    headquarters until further orders.
+
+    “2. Officers will be held strictly accountable for the safety
+    of all private property within their districts, and will allow
+    no one to disturb or carry away any private property from the
+    ruins without a permit signed by Herbert W. Stebbins, or upon
+    orders from the proper authorities.
+
+    “3. Enlisted men will not leave the street to trespass upon
+    private property, nor will they touch any private property,
+    except to save it from loss, and then turn it over at once to
+    their company commanders. Sentinels will treat all persons
+    courteously in enforcing orders.
+
+    “4. All officers and men will cooperate and assist the members
+    of the city government, the police department, and authorized
+    committees in their work.
+
+    “5. Lieutenant Williams, assistant surgeon, Eighth Infantry,
+    will make an inspection of the sanitary conditions within the
+    city limits and report to these headquarters.
+
+    “6. Captain Whitney, Fifth Infantry, will inspect and report
+    all walls that are unsafe within the burnt district.
+
+                                      “By order of Colonel Sweetser,
+
+                                        “HARRY F. BROWN,
+                           “First Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant,
+                                              “Acting Adjutant.”
+
+There were three forms of passes issued, a blue one, which admitted to
+the lines, which was taken up; a white one, which permitted the bearer
+to search among the ruins; and a special one, allowing the holder to
+open a safe, which read as follows:--
+
+    “Permit to Enter upon Property.
+
+    Good for this day only
+
+    ---- has permission to enter upon ---- Street, previously
+    occupied by him, to examine premises, open safe and remove
+    property belonging to him, between the hours of 8 A.M. and 5
+    P.M.,----April --, 1908.
+
+                                        “GASPAR G. SHANNON,
+                                                   “Chief of Police.
+
+    “Use of Explosives Forbidden.”
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908
+
+TROOP A, FIRST SQUADRON OF CAVALRY]
+
+Many who had fled from the city when their homes were burned were
+unable to get back without much trouble, having first to satisfy guards
+on Chelsea Bridge and the highways leading to Everett and Revere that
+they had a right to be in the city. After they got through these
+outposts they could not get into the burned area without a pass from
+Colonel Nutter, who was in command. During the early hours hundreds of
+residents on the farther side of the fire desired to go to Boston and
+other places to work, but could not do so on account of the cordon of
+soldiers, until arrangements were made to gather the people together in
+large groups and march them through.
+
+The police willingly gave in to the soldiers, and in no instance did a
+clash occur. Every one was stopped at the picket line and only firemen,
+policemen, and people with passes got by. Many people were indignant
+when stopped, and commenced to abuse the soldiers, but as a rule the
+reply, “Those are the orders, sir,” brought a smile and, “Well, I’m not
+blaming you.”
+
+An incident of the military patrol of the ruins was an encounter
+between the sentries and a gang of one hundred and fifty Italian
+laborers, who failed to comprehend the fact that they could not pass
+the guard lines without permits, although they had been sent to work
+on the ruins. The gang tried to rush the lines and a hand-to-hand
+tussle followed, in which some of the workmen were roughly handled.
+
+Another incident occurred on Broadway. A soldier ordered a chauffeur to
+stop his machine. The man replied in an insulting manner and continued
+on his way. He was placed under arrest and turned over to the civil
+authorities. Judge Bossom sentenced him to six months in the House of
+Correction, stating that his conduct was reprehensible, and that at
+such a time every one should obey orders of those in charge and do
+everything in his power to assist.
+
+There is no question that the militia did its duty; the men worked
+hard, with practically no sleep and little food for days. They not only
+did guard duty, but helped in the relief work, and volunteered for many
+other duties.
+
+Soldiers were detailed to search among the ruins for bodies; and when
+one was found, a guard was placed over it and was obliged to stay
+there, sometimes for hours, until the coroner could be found. They
+kept people away from the threatening walls and guarded what property
+was left. They acted as messengers and stood for six to eight hours
+at a stretch on guard. The rations consisted of whatever could be got
+together, always coffee and bread, with sometimes canned meats or
+beans, which was very meager compared to the regulation field ration.
+
+It was unjust and contemptible for a certain Boston paper to come out
+with big headlines to the effect that the soldiers were looting, and
+the fact that this paper made an editorial apology the next day does
+not excuse the city editor for allowing it to get in. In the first
+place the soldiers had no time for looting, and in the second there
+was nothing of value left to steal. The following article taken from
+“Practical Politics” expresses the writer’s feelings very well:--
+
+    “Whoever framed up the story that there was looting by the
+    soldiers placed to guard people’s property as well as the
+    lives of the community, did the soldier boys a great wrong,
+    for the story went broadcast all over the country, to the
+    effect that they had been guilty of the most heinous offense,
+    either in times of war or peace, that of looting the dead and
+    the helpless people. The stories did a great injustice to the
+    marines and jackies from the Navy Yard, as well as to the State
+    forces, and that it was not true was very promptly shown by
+    the governor and the adjutant general, both of whom nailed
+    the story before it had traveled much. The harm was done when
+    the press associations, accepting it as a bonafide piece of
+    news, sent it to all parts of the world. One of the odd things
+    about the accusation is that two members of the Massachusetts
+    Legislature, Senator Tilton S. Bell and Representative J. B.
+    Ferber, were among the soldiers on guard at Chelsea during the
+    critical times, and they did not see or hear of any looting.”
+
+Editorials like the following appeared in many papers through the
+State:--
+
+    “We have no hesitation in saying that the charge of looting
+    made against the militia on duty in Chelsea is wholly
+    unwarranted, and that even were some individual member of our
+    military force guilty of such unsoldierly conduct, his offense
+    is no excuse for wholesale accusations against the body. The
+    troops, national and State, on duty in the burnt district have
+    been doing splendid work; everybody who has watched their
+    course has spoken in the highest terms of their care, courtesy,
+    vigilance, and soldierly bearing; and their services have
+    been of great value to the afflicted community in preserving
+    peace and property and facilitating the humanitarian work the
+    occasion demanded.
+
+    “We have every confidence in the discipline, efficiency,
+    integrity, and fidelity to duty of our troops; and if any
+    individual militiaman has deflected from the standards of
+    conduct expected and enforced, we may confidently count on his
+    punishment for his offense and his expulsion from the body.
+    Accusations against our troops are in bad taste and should not
+    be indulged in unless backed by the best evidence.”
+
+Upon the withdrawal of the State troops from Chelsea, Mayor Beck sent
+the following letter to Adjutant General Brigham:--
+
+    “William M. Brigham, Adjutant General:
+
+    “Dear Sir,--As mayor of the city of Chelsea, I desire to
+    tender this official recognition of the prompt, efficient, and
+    valuable services rendered by the militia under your command,
+    detailed to preserve order and protect life and property in
+    Chelsea during and since the great conflagration.
+
+    “Order was maintained by your officers and troops under the
+    most trying circumstances, and no just criticism of their
+    conduct, other than that which is creditable, can exist.
+
+    “I feel especially grateful to both Colonel Charles P. Nutter
+    and Colonel E. Leroy Sweetser for their harmonious cooperation
+    with the civil authorities during this period.
+
+    “My grateful acknowledgment of obligation is also due to the
+    rank and file of each company, including the Fifth Company,
+    C. A. C., a large number of which, although their entire
+    possessions were lost and their families rendered homeless by
+    the fire, responded faithfully to the high call of military
+    duty without regard to their personal interests.
+
+                                          “Respectfully yours,
+
+                                              “JOHN E. BECK, Mayor.”
+
+[Illustration: GRANITE CRUMBLED TO GRAVEL UNDER THE HEAT]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY
+
+
+Before the fire was extinguished messages offering aid and sympathy
+began to pour in. One of the first was a telegraphic despatch from
+President Roosevelt as follows:--
+
+    “Mayor John E. Beck, Chelsea, Mass.
+
+    “In company with all our people, I am inexpressibly shocked at
+    the tragedy that has befallen Chelsea. Is there anything the
+    national government can do, in connection with the Navy Yard
+    or with either the military or naval establishments at Boston,
+    which will be of service?
+
+                                               “THEODORE ROOSEVELT.”
+
+to which Mayor Beck by the light of the fire wrote the following
+despatch in reply:--
+
+      “President Roosevelt,
+      Washington, D. C.
+
+    “Your telegram of sympathy and tender of service is deeply
+    appreciated by our people. The marines from the Navy Yard have
+    done yeoman service for us. In the hour of this sad affliction
+    the kind words of our sister cities and States have steeled
+    our arm. We will arise from the ashes and build a new city
+    that will show to the world the courage and fortitude of the
+    citizens of Chelsea. Respectfully,
+
+                                              “JOHN E. BECK, Mayor.”
+
+The Massachusetts senators sent the following:--
+
+    “John E. Beck, Mayor, Chelsea, Mass.
+
+    “We have learned with deep regret of the great misfortune which
+    has befallen Chelsea. If there is anything we can do to aid
+    you, please let us know at once.
+
+                                     (Signed) “HENRY CABOT LODGE.
+                                            “WINTHROP MURRAY CRANE.”
+
+Congressman Roberts of Chelsea telegraphed: “Do you want me to
+introduce a resolution in Congress for blankets?”
+
+Acting Governor Draper went to Chelsea as soon as he learned of the
+catastrophe, and offered the aid and sympathy of the State.
+
+A cable was received at the State House from the Irish National Party
+as follows:--
+
+                                   “Dublin, Ireland, April 13, 1908.
+
+          “To Governor, State House,
+              Boston, Mass.
+
+    “Irish National Party deeply sympathize with Boston in tragic
+    calamity.
+
+                                                 “(Signed) REDMOND.”
+
+to which the governor replied:--
+
+                                                    “April 14, 1908.
+
+           “Hon. John E. Redmond, M. P.,
+              Dublin, Ireland.
+
+    “Thanks for expression of sympathy. While great loss of
+    property and much suffering, our people have situation well in
+    hand.
+
+                                 “(Signed) DRAPER, Acting Governor.”
+
+The following despatch was sent to Mayor Beck immediately after a
+hurried meeting of the citizens of Brookline had been called:--
+
+    “In behalf of the town of Brookline, I send to you our deepest
+    sympathy for the calamity which has come to your city.
+
+    “I authorize you to draw on the town of Brookline now for
+    the sum of $1000, and further steps will be taken to aid you
+    financially. I trust you will call upon me at the Brookline
+    Town Hall if there is any other assistance which our citizens
+    can render you at the present moment. We stand ready to help
+    you in whatever way we can.
+
+                          “Respectfully yours,
+                               “WILLIAM CRAIG,
+                                      “Chairman Board of Selectmen.”
+
+General Booth of the Salvation Army cabled from London as follows:--
+
+    “Mayor, Chelsea: I mourn with you in this calamity. Sympathize
+    with sufferers and pray that God may be with them and comfort
+    them.
+
+                                                    “WILLIAM BOOTH.”
+
+Hundreds of similar messages were received from all parts of this
+country and abroad, and the two telegraph stations, hurriedly
+established, one on Charlestown Bridge, and the other at the Boston
+and Maine railroad station, were kept busy. Hundreds of telegrams and
+cables were received which could not be delivered as the people to whom
+they had been addressed had been burned out and in many cases had left
+the city.
+
+[Illustration: THE COURT HOUSE, USED AS CITY HALL AFTER THE FIRE]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE RELIEF WORK
+
+
+The work of relief started almost before the flames of the first
+section destroyed had died away. Acting Governor Draper, who had
+arrived in Chelsea about the middle of the afternoon, at once realized
+the immediate need of assistance, turned about and had his chauffeur
+take him speedily to his office at the State House. Here he got
+into communication with the City Hall, and a meeting was arranged
+at the mayor’s office. Mayor Hibbard, who was at his summer home in
+Provincetown, arrived about six o’clock. The first move was to get
+hospital service to the city and all available doctors, nurses, and
+ambulances were sent to Chelsea.
+
+Messengers were despatched to bring many prominent citizens to a
+citizens’ meeting, and among the first to arrive was Major Henry
+L. Higginson of the firm of Lee, Higginson & Company, who at once
+offered all immediate financial assistance necessary. Provisions for
+the refugees were the first necessity, and the authorities in Boston
+and Chelsea combined to secure them. Bakers, provision dealers, and
+restaurant keepers readily volunteered to furnish them, and what is
+more important, had them ready and delivered in Chelsea by midnight.
+
+Meanwhile, the residents of Chelsea had not been idle. While the fire
+was at its height, J. Travis Roberts went to the junction of County
+Road and the Boulevard, and stopped every motor car that came along,
+courteously requesting the drivers to loan their cars to the city. In a
+very short time about fifty cars had been secured, and their help was
+of great value.
+
+Dr. Charles N. Cutler organized a rescue corps with motor cars to take
+the needy people to the First Congregational Church on County Road,
+where Mrs. Henry A. Tenney had charge, and was assisted by Mr. Herbert
+Slade, Miss Florence H. Mitchell, and many others. H. P. McManus of
+the firm of Atwood & McManus summoned all his teamsters and got out
+ten double wagons, which he ordered into the burning district and put
+at the disposal of the fleeing population. In this way a great many
+families saved most of their belongings. He then secured ten bushels
+of sandwiches to feed the fire fighters. All about the edge of the
+fire luncheons were to be had for the asking. Mr. R. H. Grant made
+and served many gallons of coffee. Dr. Charles Reeds went through the
+burning district near his home, handing out food to the soldiers and
+firemen. Every namable kind of relief sprang into action, and the
+organized Relief Committee was relieved of a large proportion of its
+duty. The National, American, and Adams Express companies put their
+teams at the disposal of the Relief Committee and offered to transport
+all relief supplies free.
+
+Mr. Albert Tenney, manager of the Suburban Electric Company of Malden,
+placed five automobiles at the disposal of the committee, and ran one
+himself for several days.
+
+The Chelsea Relief Committee, which was selected early in the evening,
+set up headquarters in the High School building just outside the fire
+lines. The first step was to open an information bureau, where the
+homeless were directed to churches and other places open to receive
+them, and where the missing could report and the lost get in touch with
+their friends.
+
+The next morning there were organized a bureau of general information,
+a committee for medical relief, and a housing and employment bureau.
+The insurance companies also established a bureau of information.
+In the basement a bakery and lunch counter was started, and great
+four-horse loads of food were delivered at one door and distributed at
+another.
+
+The Scenic Temple on Second Street, at the other end of the city, was
+opened as a dispensary distributing station, in charge of George H.
+Willie and George H. Dunham. Other places of refuge were the Salvation
+Army Barracks in Chelsea Square, Saint Luke’s Parsonage, the Cary
+Avenue Methodist Church, the First Congregational Church, the Soldiers’
+Home, and scores of other places where small numbers could be cared for.
+
+William E. McClintock, chairman of the Relief Committee, opened his
+headquarters at his residence opposite the High School. The Young
+Men’s Christian Association opened headquarters in the Review Club
+next door. Voting booths were erected on the club’s tennis court for
+the use of the city officials. Crowds gathered on the streets about
+these buildings, and it took a large detail of soldiers to keep things
+straightened out. In the High School, lines of young women were busy
+making card catalogues of new addresses and telling the inquirers where
+their friends and relatives were to be found. In the rooms off the
+corridors, committees inquired into each case, and issued cards for
+food and clothing. At every entrance stood sentries to keep out the
+merely curious, and outside other soldiers kept the deserving crowd
+in a line, which for days reached far down the street and turned the
+corner. On the third floor were piled articles of clothing. At first
+there was naturally a great confusion, but soon the committee got
+things down to a system.
+
+[Illustration:
+
+  BY WM. J. MCCLINTOCK
+
+THE BREAD LINE]
+
+The Massachusetts Chelsea Relief Committee issued the following
+bulletin for information of fire sufferers and others:--
+
+    Executive Headquarters--Chamber of Commerce, Boston, Mass.;
+    telephone, Fort Hill 1834. Edmund Billings, executive
+    secretary, James J. Storrow, chairman.
+
+    Treasurers--Lee, Higginson & Company, 44 State Street, Boston,
+    Mass.
+
+    Chelsea Relief Committee--High School Building, Chelsea.
+
+    Insurance Information--High School Building, Chelsea.
+
+    Receiving Station--For supplies, except food, Keany Building,
+    251 Causeway Street, Boston; telephone, Richmond 777.
+
+    Registration for Lodgings--Municipal Building, 427 Blossom
+    Street, Boston; telephone, Haymarket 427.
+
+    Registration for Volunteer Workers--Room 31, Charity Building,
+    Chardon Street, Boston; telephone, Haymarket 847.
+
+    Automobiles--Owners who can loan their machines for use,
+    telephone Room 31, Charity Building; telephone, Haymarket 847.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    All supplies (except food) should be sent to the Keany Square
+    Building, 251 Causeway Street, which is in charge of Miss
+    Katherine D. Loring of the Red Cross Society.
+
+    From this point they are distributed on proper requisition to
+    the various points where the refugees are located.
+
+    There is a great necessity for underclothing, men’s, women’s
+    and children’s, babies’ blankets, blankets, sheets, and pillow
+    cases.
+
+    They cannot use anything that is dirty or torn, nor clothing
+    trimmed with lace, or evening dresses.
+
+    Offers of food, milk, and other perishable supplies should
+    be made to Mr. Billings, the executive secretary. Chamber of
+    Commerce Building; telephone, Fort Hill 1834.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    All persons who had any fire insurance and who had a fire loss
+    should apply to the Insurance Information Committee, High
+    School Building, Chelsea, Room 11.
+
+    The fire insurance companies have established this committee
+    to furnish free information and advice to any person who was
+    insured and suffered any fire loss, whether their policies were
+    burned or not.
+
+    There is a great need for automobiles to be used in moving the
+    sufferers and in distributing nurses, etc., both in Chelsea and
+    Boston.
+
+    Owners who are willing to loan their cars for such use should
+    telephone to Room 31, Charity Building, Boston, Haymarket 847.
+
+The following relief stations were established by the committee:--
+
+First District--High School Building, Crescent Avenue.
+
+    Second District--Lincoln Hall, Second Street.
+
+    Third District--First Congregational Church, County Road.
+
+    Fourth District--880 Broadway.
+
+    Fifth District--Spencer Avenue School Building.
+
+These were the only ones provided for by the committee in Chelsea,
+although special interests looked out for their own people. Among them
+were the following stations:--
+
+    Central Congregational Church--Washington Avenue opposite Heard
+    Street.
+
+    Christian Science Church--Rear of 2 County Road.
+
+    St. Luke’s Episcopal Church--Parish house, Washington Avenue,
+    corner Spruce Street.
+
+    All denominations--Cary Avenue Methodist Church.
+
+    Catholic--Old parochial residence, Crescent Avenue near
+    Broadway.
+
+    Labor Unions--195 Broadway.
+
+    Elks--Corner Williams Street and Broadway.
+
+    Eagles--Broadway, opposite Court House.
+
+    Foresters and Knights of Columbus--66 Williams Street.
+
+    Red Men--Towne’s store, Broadway Square near Second Street.
+
+    Hebrew Information Bureau--129 Winnisimmet Street.
+
+    N. E. O. P.--371 Spruce Street.
+
+    Masonic Bodies--136 Broadway.
+
+    District Nurses--Lincoln Hall, Second Street.
+
+    Knights of Columbus--Old Salvation Army building, Park Street.
+
+    Christian Scientists--General distribution of relief supplies,
+    carriage house rear of Wilson estate, Carter Street off
+    Washington Avenue.
+
+The regular relief stations in Chelsea in one day distributed the
+following supplies:--
+
+  FOOD
+  Milk, gallons                      400
+  Coffee, gallons                    600
+  Canned meat, cases                  75
+  Canned soup, cases                 100
+  Canned salmon, cases                50
+  Dry codfish, large boxes            50
+  Coffee, pounds                     100
+  Condensed milk, cans             1,200
+  Granulated sugar, pounds           500
+  Eggs, dozens                     1,000
+  CLOTHING
+  Boys’ suits                        500
+  Children’s underwear               500
+  Men’s underwear                    500
+  Men’s trousers                     250
+  Men’s shoes, cases                  25
+  Women’s shoes, cases                25
+  Women’s underwear, suits           100
+  Hosiery, men and women, pairs    1,500
+  Blankets                         1,000
+  Mattresses                         500
+  Pillows                            500
+
+[Illustration: EFFECT OF FIRE ON GRANITE WALLS AND CURBING]
+
+Among the Chelsea women who worked untiringly for days at the relief
+stations were: Mrs. Grace D. Bancroft, Miss Mary Keen, Miss Alice
+Dorkhann, Mrs. Charles Bourne, Mrs. Boyd Bartlett, Mrs. Andrew T.
+Hunnewell, Miss Ethel F. Bourne, Mrs. C. Willis Gould, Miss Edith Bush,
+Miss Margaret H. Ames (Naval Hospital), Miss Agnes Peck, Mrs. F. L.
+Avery, Miss Abbie Tarrell, Mrs. E. Frank Guild.
+
+It was found after the second day that many applicants who crowded
+into the relief stations were simply taking bundles of clothing and
+supplies across to Boston and selling them for what they would bring.
+It was learned that some of these people did not live in Chelsea at
+all, being impostors from various quarters, who were fraudulently
+obtaining places in the relief line, and it was found absolutely
+necessary to have some kind of personal identification. The committee,
+therefore, adopted the following identification card:--
+
+    SAVE TIME FOR YOURSELF
+
+    and help the committee by having the attached card of
+    identification filled out and signed by your pastor, doctor,
+    or some business or professional man known to the committee.
+    With the identification card you will be served without delay.
+    Without the identification card you will go to Room -- and be
+    specially examined.
+
+    Below is a blank, as follows:--
+
+    I am personally acquainted with ---- of No. -- ---- Street, and
+    know that he is worthy of aid. I recommend that he be given
+    ----, etc.
+
+An average of twelve thousand people a day were fed at the various
+relief stations for weeks. H.P. Hood & Son sent wagon loads of fine
+milk free of charge. Henry Siegel wired his Boston manager to establish
+immediately a tent for the free distribution of soup, sandwiches, and
+coffee, and the instructions were carried out. A. Shuman sent over one
+thousand dollars’ worth of wearing apparel.
+
+A relief station was established at the Keany Square Building in Boston
+and was under the charge of Miss Katherine Loring, who was assisted by
+Miss Eleanor Sears, Miss Higginson, Miss Hunnewell, Miss Olive Ames,
+Mrs. Arthur D. Cook, Miss Dorothy Forbes, and other young society
+leaders of Boston. A detachment of ten signal corps men were placed
+here under command of Lieutenant R. E. Blecher to guard the place and
+help sort goods sent in.
+
+Mr. Herbert Norton, chairman of the Chelsea License Commission,
+immediately canceled all licenses which had been issued in Chelsea and
+Police Commissioner O’Meara of Boston issued the following order the
+night of the fire:--
+
+                                “City of Boston, Police Department.
+                                                    “April 12, 1908.
+
+    “Under the authority conferred upon me by sec. 19, chap. 291,
+    acts of 1906, I hereby suspend and make inoperative until
+    further notice all licenses to sell intoxicating liquors in
+    police division 7 (East Boston) and in that part of police
+    division 15 (Charlestown) lying between Mystic and Charles
+    rivers and the harbor on the north and east and southwest and
+    a line on the west drawn through Everett Street, extended to
+    Mystic River, Concord Street, Monument Square, Pleasant and
+    Devens streets, Rutherford Avenue and Arrow Street, extended
+    to the water, including both sides of said streets, square, and
+    avenue.
+
+    “Sec. 19 provides further that:--
+
+    “Any licensee who personally or by his servants or agents
+    sells, furnishes, or delivers any intoxicating liquors during
+    such suspension shall be punished by a fine of $200 for said
+    offense, and his license shall become forfeited.
+
+    “This suspension will be revoked as soon as it becomes evident
+    that public safety and order in the parts of the city specified
+    no longer require it.
+
+                        “(Signed) STEPHEN O’MEARA,
+
+                        “Police Commissioner of the City of Boston.”
+
+Nearly two hundred refugees were sent to the South Armory, and housed
+in the quarters of Battery A, Field Artillery. Armorer George Thorpe
+worked untiringly for their comfort. The Mellin’s Food Company sent to
+Chelsea twenty-five cases of malted milk, the National Biscuit Company
+two hundred boxes of Uneeda biscuits. The Horace Memorial Church on
+Webster Avenue took care of two hundred people. The Magee Furnace
+Company, the Revere Rubber Company, the Forbes Lithograph Company, and
+many other big manufacturing plants, established relief stations for
+their own employees.
+
+The rector of Saint Rose Catholic Church issued the following notice:--
+
+                                           “Chelsea, April 15, 1908.
+
+    “The parish is fully covered by insurance and has no need of
+    assistance, and has a glorious future before it. We have no
+    need to think of that now. Provision will be made for masses
+    and everything of that kind.
+
+    “What we are wholly intent on now is the relief of the poor. We
+    have three bureaus of supplies open day and night, and all may
+    come for relief. All who are in the city, whether of our faith
+    or not, will be gladly welcomed. We will supply them with food
+    and clothing, and will engage and furnish tenements in Boston
+    and elsewhere. We beg Chelsea people who have left the city,
+    and are temporarily with friends, but who cannot stay long
+    where they are, to come and let us provide for them.
+
+    “Our depots are at the Spencer Avenue Catholic school, at the
+    old parochial residence, Broadway and Crescent Avenue, and at
+    the corner of Williams and Broadway.
+
+                                         “THOMAS J. CUSICK, Rector.”
+
+The three banks which were destroyed secured temporary quarters in a
+building near the Court House, and inside of twenty-four hours had
+their securities out of the ruins, and were able to pay depositors who
+needed money.
+
+The morning after the fire the Chelsea Post-office opened temporary
+quarters in a pool room on Park Street. All mail that was in the burned
+Post-office was saved by heroic work of the department, and three
+deliveries were made during the day following the fire, although the
+majority of people to whom mail was addressed could not be found.
+
+Congressman Roberts at once introduced a bill in the House of
+Representatives appropriating $125,000 to provide for a new building.
+
+Furniture companies and other business concerns took immediate measures
+to relieve their patrons. Instalment houses announced that their
+customers having unsettled accounts need not worry about payment, as
+all goods sold were insured.
+
+Major Walter E. Lombard made an appeal to the military organizations
+throughout the State for funds to relieve the members of the Fifth
+Company, Coast Artillery Corps, whose Armory had been destroyed, and
+who had lost, not only their clothes, but in thirty-five cases their
+homes. Over $1500 was contributed to this fund.
+
+The labor unions of Boston were prompt in coming to the aid of their
+members who suffered in the fire.
+
+Hundreds of loaves of bread came over in the wagons of Ferguson, Fox,
+and other bakers, while Cobb, Bates & Yerxa and S. S. Pierce & Company
+had great four-horse wagons early on the scene, loaded with provisions
+of all sorts. Supplies piled in from all sides. The Keany Square Relief
+Station looked like a great warehouse. In one day the following gifts
+were acknowledged by this station:--
+
+A carload of clothing from the Phillips Brooks House, a carload of
+suits from the Brookline relief committee, a box of clothing from
+Mrs. Kennison, gifts from the First Presbyterian Church on Columbus
+Avenue, clothing from boys of Phillips School, gifts from Shepard,
+Norwell & Company, gifts from C. F. Hovey & Company, an express load of
+packages from the city of Somerville, gifts from the King’s Daughters
+of Cambridge, twelve barrels of gifts from the Salem Thought and
+Work Club, gifts from W. S. Butler, fifteen mattresses from the New
+York Mattress Company, three boxes of goods from the Jordan Marsh
+Company, goods from James A. Houston & Company, goods from W. H. Brine
+& Company, goods from High School at Dorchester Heights, goods from the
+Friendly Society of the South Congregational Church, goods from the
+Concord Woman’s Club, one hundred and seven dozen pairs of stockings
+from the Star Theater Company, goods from the Women’s Guild of the
+Church of the Good Shepherd, and gifts from G. B. H. Macomber.
+
+[Illustration: THE SHURTLEFF SCHOOL BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE]
+
+The spirit the citizens themselves showed, compelled admiration from
+every outsider. They were courageous, to say the least, and the general
+sentiment among them was not downheartedness, but determination to
+relieve the suffering at once, and then to reestablish the municipality
+on a better basis than formerly.
+
+The people fully appreciated the generosity shown them throughout the
+State, and more than one, big, strong, able-bodied man felt a lump come
+into his throat when he read of and saw the many things that were being
+done by strangers outside of the city for its relief.
+
+Two days after the fire the city had hundreds of unemployed at work
+clearing the streets. Judge Bossom announced that until conditions
+were relieved he would deal stringently with drunkards and other law
+breakers, and suiting his actions to his words, gave four men arrested
+the night after the fire the full penalty allowed by the law.
+
+The prompt and systematic organization for relief gave assurance to
+the people of the State that their funds would be wisely directed in
+relieving the needs of the people and resulted in private purses being
+opened in a most generous and liberal way.
+
+Lee, Higginson & Company received sums ranging from a few dollars up
+to several thousand, aggregating in the neighborhood of $350,000.
+
+In spite of all that was done in the city there was not room for all,
+and the surrounding towns and cities made Chelsea’s needs their own.
+The Revere Town Hall was thrown open to the refugees, the Revere
+Women’s Club taking care of one hundred and fifty at night and feeding
+more during the day.
+
+In Malden Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, the First Baptist Church, the
+Congregational, the Methodist, and the Catholic churches were thrown
+open to the needy.
+
+Everett, Medford, and Winthrop also took care of many of the destitute.
+The Civil Service House in Boston was opened from the beginning of the
+trouble, and most of the lost children were sent there. The Boston
+English High School opened its doors and took care of about one hundred
+refugees as long as was necessary.
+
+A monster dramatic entertainment was held at the Boston Theater, and
+all the actors playing in Boston at the time gave their services. The
+entire proceeds were given to the relief fund. The best seats sold at
+large premiums, and every seat and all standing room was taken.
+
+Mrs. Pelbouth of the Dennison House, offered the service of women
+connected with that institution; the Wayfarers’ Lodge accommodated two
+hundred men; the Bay State House on Hanover Street took care of from
+thirty to forty; the Parker Memorial on Appleton Street offered the
+use of its rooms; H. F. Denny of the Lakeshore Home, Sharon, took care
+of fifty women and children; Sister Gabriel of the home for Destitute
+Children offered shelter for children left homeless; about five hundred
+people found shelter at the Salvation Army Palace; the Saint James
+Hotel, Bowdoin Square, Boston, offered to take care of a number; the
+Massachusetts General Hospital offered employment to five men and
+agreed to take twenty to thirty sick people and supply nurses.
+
+The Animal Rescue League sent men to Chelsea to look out for the
+homeless dogs and cats in the burned district. Those suffering from
+injuries were at once chloroformed; the others were taken to the Carver
+Street Home and held for owners to claim.
+
+Help of every description was offered to man and beast. It came quickly
+and in abundance without being called for; and those who wondered
+during the fire if there was a God, soon found him in the hearts of the
+people of the Commonwealth.
+
+[Illustration: MAP SHOWING BURNED DISTRICT]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+CHELSEA’S FUTURE
+
+
+In spite of the fact that no municipality in the State ever had such a
+blow as Chelsea, which lost millions of taxable property and fully one
+third of its population, the city has a glorious future before it. Of
+this there is no doubt. It will be rebuilt, bigger and better in every
+way. It will be a different kind of a city, however. The conservative
+people, who have lived in their old houses year after year, although
+the environment about them had changed, will in many cases rebuild in
+different sections of the town. The old style of architecture will give
+way to the new. There will be a relocation of schools and churches, and
+the City Hall and other public buildings will be more conveniently
+located. Streets will be widened and laid out differently in many
+cases, and the old houses and buildings which had been remodeled into
+stores along Broadway will be replaced by fine business blocks of brick
+and concrete construction. Hardly had the smoke of the fire cleared
+away when the people turned their thoughts towards rebuilding.
+
+[Illustration: COUNTY ROAD, IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION]
+
+Chelsea is the home of many able and influential people, representing
+large manufacturing, banking, political, and professional interests.
+These men, who had their business and property interests at stake,
+decided that to secure confidence in the city and rapid rebuilding was
+impossible under the existing city charter, but that if a board of five
+competent men were appointed by the governor and given the power of
+the mayor, Board of Aldermen and School Committee for five years, it
+would be possible. The appointment of such a board or commission, it
+was believed, would cut out all political strife. A bill was therefore
+introduced and at a hearing held on April 28 at the State House nearly
+all the prominent citizens were present. As a matter of record the
+following speeches are of interest, showing, as they do, the general
+feeling of the people.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mayor John E. Beck spoke as follows:--
+
+    “We have come to the conclusion, regardless of everything else
+    in the city, that legislation is needed to promote the welfare
+    and future of our city. Nearly five hundred acres have been
+    destroyed by the fire, and now we are confronted with the task
+    of rebuilding the city. We have agreed, I believe, in the city
+    of Chelsea, almost to a man, that if we have Chelsea’s future
+    at heart, and we believe that her future must be protected,
+    that legislation of this kind is needed. Political ambition
+    and other things of that nature must be eliminated. We have
+    come to you as a unit from the city of Chelsea, to ask you
+    gentlemen of the committee to give us this bill. It will
+    then be in the hands of the governor to appoint whom he sees
+    fit, citizens, as the members of that commission, so long as
+    they are of our own citizenship. We can then bring back the
+    confidence that is desired, and build a more beautiful and
+    substantial Chelsea than before. The mayor or Board of Aldermen
+    lack the power to do what is now needed to accomplish this
+    work. The work of reconstruction must be carried on by a body,
+    independent in action, and as a citizen, I wish to further
+    those things which are of essential benefit to every inhabitant
+    of our city. This cannot be accomplished by politics. This is
+    my first year as mayor; I am willing to sacrifice that and all
+    my own political ambitions, that our city may prosper in this
+    year of progress and take its place among the leading cities of
+    the Commonwealth. A bill of this nature carries with it the one
+    thought, that we must have the best men possible; in order to
+    restore confidence and thus secure results which will insure
+    the future and best interest of the city.”
+
+Congressman Ernest W. Roberts said:--
+
+    “The little I have to say will be as a citizen of Chelsea, a
+    resident of that municipality for over forty years. Chelsea of
+    to-day is not a city of wealthy people. You have heard from the
+    city treasurer somewhat of the losses that we have sustained.
+    If our city is to be rehabilitated, if we are to become once
+    more a flourishing municipality, it is necessary in the first
+    instance to restore confidence, both in the people now living
+    in Chelsea and those who have been forced out of the city by
+    reason of this fire, and what is much more important, the
+    confidence in financial men in the future of that city. We
+    have got to have large amounts of money poured into the city
+    to rebuild it, and without that basic principle of confidence
+    in the future of the city we are not going to get the money.
+    I am not in favor of government by commission, but there are
+    times and conditions when it seems to me that the commission is
+    the only solution of the problem, and I firmly believe to-day
+    that the question confronting the people of Chelsea can only
+    be solved through a commission. Without a commission there
+    would be a lack of continuity of government, so essential for
+    the successful solution of the problem that now confronts the
+    people of Chelsea. Through a commission a comprehensive scheme
+    can be laid out and can be carried out, step by step. After
+    its conclusion and when the commission has done that work,
+    the government of the city can be turned back to its citizens
+    under its present plan, or such other plan as the conditions
+    then presented to the city and country may warrant. I am not
+    here to argue for every line in the bill, but I am in favor of
+    the basic idea of the bill, which is a commission which shall
+    have a fixed tenure of office in order that there may be given
+    to those men sufficient time to carry out their plans. If
+    your bill does not provide enough time, you are not going to
+    accomplish what we want, and that is the creation of confidence
+    among monied men. I would suggest for the consideration of the
+    committee one possible amendment, and that would be towards
+    fixing a definite sum of money which the commission could raise
+    by the issue of bonds. It would seem to be wise not to leave
+    the matter entirely open in the bill as it is to-day.”
+
+[Illustration: THE WENTWORTH RESIDENCE AMONG THE PLACES NOT DESTROYED]
+
+Hon. Willard Howland spoke as follows:--
+
+    “I think there has been wiped out no single complete ward.
+    The area of the city is fourteen hundred acres, and about
+    four hundred and ninety have been devastated. That is a strip
+    about six thousand feet long and one thousand feet wide. It is
+    estimated that about $8,000,000 of its taxable property has
+    been destroyed. This bill comes before you as the result, I
+    think, of a very great concerted action among all the citizens.
+    Necessarily, some one must take the lead. Shortly after the
+    fire, within a day or two, representatives of the financial
+    interests and the insurance interests, manufacturing and
+    other interests of the city, were called together by some few
+    representative men and others and discussed the prospective
+    needs of the city. The great problem is the one of to-morrow,
+    and it was believed that inasmuch as a very large proportion
+    of the property destroyed must be rebuilt by capital borrowed
+    for the purpose, the essential was a large degree of confidence
+    in the city’s ability to go forward and pay the debts which it
+    would be obliged to incur, a confidence which it was necessary
+    to reestablish, if it had been destroyed. Now it is true that
+    the fire passed through largely the residential portion of
+    the city, and on both sides of the fire-swept district remain
+    many business enterprises. I think there were thirty-seven of
+    the various institutions represented in the consideration of
+    this matter, for we have some manufacturers there who employ
+    a thousand men and whose payroll amounts from $10,000 to
+    $11,000 a week. The people’s opportunity for employment has not
+    been interrupted, but their homes have been destroyed. It is
+    intended to rebuild them, but the constitutional limitations
+    would prevent our asking for aid for the accomplishment of
+    that purpose. That must come through the confidence of private
+    investors in our ability to rebuild and maintain our city.
+
+    “I think, however, it may be said that there are three
+    propositions on which we agree absolutely, and that is, that
+    there should be at this time a commission appointed to take
+    charge of financial affairs and administer the government for
+    the city. I think we are agreed that the commission should be
+    appointed by the governor with the advice of the council.
+    There is necessity for the State’s assistance to be rendered
+    in this emergency. We differ on some things which I think
+    are not so essential as those things upon which we agree. I
+    think that the appointment of the commission should be in the
+    hands of the governor, without the limitation as made. We are
+    not agreed as to the terms of the commission, that is, the
+    length of time that it should serve. My own opinion of that
+    is this, that we should appoint a commission for such term as
+    should be sufficient to warrant the opinion that some policy
+    could be defined and carried out. If the Legislature chooses
+    at some future time to change the situation, they can do so.
+    If any citizen desires a change, he, individually, or they,
+    collectively, can come to the Legislature and ask for a change.
+    If government by commission is to the satisfaction of all
+    citizens, it may continue without further legislation. The
+    necessity is apparent and I think nine tenths of the citizens
+    are in favor of the bill. You may feel that some of its
+    elements should be changed or limitations made, and, of course,
+    that is open to your consideration.”
+
+Others who appeared in favor of the commission were: Judge Albert D.
+Bossom, Ex-Mayor Carter, Ex-Mayor Mitchell, A. B. Atwood, Rev. R. Perry
+Bush, Hon. James Gould, William Martin, Hon. H. W. Pratt, Walter C.
+Mitchell, Ex-Mayor Strahan, Benjamin F. Dodge, Colonel Moses, Councilor
+Hoag, Charles G. Roberts, H. P. Sanborn, Royal S. Wentworth, C. Willis
+Gould, John Duncan, William Prescott, George H. Buck, Reinhard E.
+Bartels, Lorenzo D. Dixon, George H. Dunham, Hon. Eugene T. Endicott,
+George B. Guild, Ralph W. E. Hopper, Andrew T. Hunnewell, Geo. E.
+Morrill, Herbert L. Slade, Henry H. Stickney, Leonard A. Treat, Walter
+Whittelsey, and James S. Wilson.
+
+The hearing was practically unanimous in favor of the bill as presented.
+
+The next day two other bills were put in, not greatly different,
+and after a tiresome delay a combination of the three was made up by
+the Committee on Metropolitan and City Affairs and put before the
+Legislature. The bill quickly passed the Senate, only to be held up in
+the House, but finally after a lengthy debate passed, to the general
+satisfaction of all those who had the best interest of Chelsea at heart.
+
+It is pretty safe to say that any commission the governor appoints will
+prohibit light and flimsy buildings. This will tend more than anything
+else to drive out the undesirable citizens.
+
+This commission will not be prejudiced for or against any particular
+ward, neither will the members have any constituents to care for to the
+detriment of the city.
+
+Although Chelsea has an attractive residential district, which was not
+destroyed by the fire, as can readily be seen by the illustrations,
+it never again will be the residential city that it was fifty years
+ago, as the area is too limited and the shipping facilities make it too
+valuable for anything but manufacturing purposes.
+
+When the work of dredging, now in progress along the water front, is
+completed the city will have a mile of valuable wharf property, which
+is bound to bring more business into the city and to increase the
+valuation.
+
+The shoe factories, which employ thousands of people, were just outside
+the burned area, which was fortunate for the employees, who lost their
+homes. Most of these people carried some insurance and can rebuild as
+long as they are assured of employment.
+
+The Chelsea Trust Company proposes to erect a fine building entirely
+for their own use. The Chelsea Savings Bank has bought additional
+property, and in rebuilding will double the size of its former building.
+
+The city is assured of a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollar
+Post-office. Ex-Mayor Strahan proposes to rebuild his beautiful home on
+Bellingham Hill.
+
+The Frost Hospital drew $35,000 insurance, and as much more is assured
+to build a new hospital.
+
+The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will certainly provide Chelsea with a
+fine armory to replace the one destroyed.
+
+Most of the churches will at once start to rebuild; and when the city
+gets its many buildings up, it will not be long before many new and
+desirable people will locate in Chelsea.
+
+An attempt is to be made to get the Metropolitan Park Commission to
+secure permission from the United States government and carry out the
+plans originally made during Mayor Pratt’s administration for a Marine
+Park along the Mystic River in front of the Naval Hospital.
+
+At that time John D. Long was Secretary of the Navy and was interested
+to the extent of visiting Chelsea and inspecting the project. It was
+found, however, that the cost of filling would be too great.
+
+Since then the government has appropriated money to dredge the Mystic
+River, and the only expense would be to move the sea wall out several
+hundred feet to the low-tide mark. The dredging could then be done by
+the new hydraulic system, thus saving carting the dirt out to sea to be
+dumped.
+
+This improvement would not only greatly help Chelsea, but would make
+the hospital grounds and neighborhood much healthier.
+
+The residents of Chelsea are determined to drive out the Hebrew junk
+dealers, and the insurance companies are helping by canceling all
+policies on rag shops. The people of Chelsea have tolerated these
+undesirable citizens as long as they propose to; fire after fire of
+incendiary origin has taken place until there is no alternative,--they
+have got to go.
+
+As terrible as the fire was, God saw it was for the best, and in a very
+few years the people are going to look at it in the same way. The new
+city which is about to spring up will take the place that the Chelsea
+of the sixties held,--excelled by none, and better than most.
+
+[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF EX-MAYOR PRATT IN THE PRATTVILLE DISTRICT
+ONE OF THE MANY ATTRACTIVE PLACES IN CHELSEA NOT BURNED]
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+Transcriber’s Notes.
+
+Italic text is indicated with _underscores_, bold text with =equals=.
+Small/mixed capitals have been replaced with ALL CAPITALS.
+
+Evident typographical and punctuation errors have been corrected
+silently. Inconsistent spelling/hyphenation has been normalised.
+
+Half-title pages have been discarded.
+
+To improve text flow, illustrations have been relocated between
+paragraphs.
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78708 ***
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+      The burning of Chelsea | Project Gutenberg
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78708 ***</div>
+
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a><a id="Page_2"></a>2</span></p>
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="002" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/002.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    VIEW OF THE BURNING CITY FROM POWDERHORN HILL
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">3</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<h1>
+THE BURNING OF CHELSEA
+</h1>
+</div>
+
+<p class="p2 center"><span class="sm">BY</span><br>
+<span class="big">WALTER MERRIAM PRATT</span></p>
+
+<p class="xsm center">WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS<br>
+FROM ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowe8" id="003">
+  <img class="w100 p4" src="images/003.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation">
+</figure>
+
+<p class="p4 xsm center"><i>BOSTON</i><br>
+SAMPSON PUBLISHING COMPANY<br>
+1908</p>
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">4</span></p>
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1908, by</i>
+<span class="smcap">Sampson Publishing Company</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">First impression, June, 1908</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Printed by The Sparrell Print
+Boston, Massachusetts</i></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">5</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><i>The author dedicates this book to Captain
+James H. Smyth, Lieutenant Olin D.
+Dickerman, Lieutenant Harry J. Kane,
+and the enlisted men of the Eighth Company,
+Coast Artillery Corps, with whom he
+served in Chelsea on Provost Guard during
+the week following the fire.</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a><a id="Page_7"></a>7</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">
+    PREFACE
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>This book is intended by its author to
+be a story of <span class="smcap">The Burning of Chelsea</span>
+as he saw it,—a contribution to local
+history based on personal knowledge and
+observation. No one man saw, or could
+see, all the phases of the conflagration, but
+the writer saw more than most. He was
+actively engaged during the entire course
+of the fire in the saving of persons and
+property, and was able to closely observe
+the whole progress of the flames. He
+served as a volunteer fireman for many
+hours and afterward on provost guard,
+being at work continuously for forty-eight
+hours without sleep. As he was thus
+present during the entire period of greatest
+stress, his narration consists of first-hand
+facts.</p>
+
+<p>It was thought advisable to add chapters
+on the history of Chelsea, and some
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">8</span>phases of the period immediately following
+the fire, for the information of those
+not familiar with the city, and also a
+chapter on the future of the city.</p>
+
+<p>The illustrations are from photographs,
+and the author’s thanks for courteous
+permission to use them is due to Frank
+Roy Fraprie, Robert Buck Jeffers, of
+Chelsea, Mass., <i>Leslie’s Weekly</i>, William
+J. McClintock, Frank Thompson, the
+Utica <i>Saturday Globe</i>, and Royal S.
+Wentworth.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jeffers is maker of the frontispiece,
+and pictures on pages 56, 78, and 102.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">
+    CONTENTS
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+<table class="autotable3">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+I
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Historical Chelsea
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_15">15</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+II
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Statistics of the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_31">31</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+III
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Start
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_39">39</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+IV
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Beyond Control
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_52">52</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+V
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Under Control
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_72">72</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+VI
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Night among the Ruins
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_75">75</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+VII
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Day Dawns upon the Ruins
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_83">83</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">10</span>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+VIII
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Firemen
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_87">87</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+IX
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Militia
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_93">93</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+X
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Expressions of Sympathy
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_104">104</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+XI
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Relief Work
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_109">109</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdr">
+XII
+</td>
+<td class="tdl">
+Chelsea’s Future
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#Page_134">134</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">11</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="ILLUSTRATIONS">
+    ILLUSTRATIONS
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<table class="autotable3">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+View of the Burning City from Powderhorn Hill
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<i><a href="#002">Frontispiece</a></i>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Bellingham-Cary House
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#016">16</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Pratt House, built about 1700
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#018">18</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Broadway before the Fire, looking South from Bellingham
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#022">22</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Broadway, a few Weeks after the Fire, looking South from Bellingham
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#024">24</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Ruins of the Baptist Church and City Hall
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#032">32</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Lynn Engine destroyed by the Flames
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#034">34</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Start of the Fire near the Everett Line
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#038">38</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Responding to the First Alarm
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#042">42</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Granite Block, Dynamited during the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#048">48</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+A Boston Fire Boat fighting the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#056over">56</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Brown Stone Houses Fared no Better than Wooden Tenements
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#056under">56</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Junction of Washington Avenue and Broadway before the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#058">58</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Residence of Ex-Mayor Thomas Strahan before and after the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#062">62</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Boston and Albany Railroad Bridge, with Wrecked East Boston Bridge and Burning Oil Tanks in Background
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#068">68</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Fitz Public Library before and after the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#070over">70</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Where the Fire was stopped on Sixth Street
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#074">74</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Ruins of the Central Congregational Church
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#078">78</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+A Vast Expanse of Ruins
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#082">82</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Highland School before and after the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#084over">84</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Shurtleff Street before and after the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#086over">86</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Chief Spencer during the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#088">88</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Eighth Company, Coast Artillery, keeping back the Crowd in Winnisimmet Square
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#094">94</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Troop A, First Squadron of Cavalry
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#096">96</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Granite Crumbled to Gravel under the Heat
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#102">102</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Court House, used as City Hall after the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#108">108</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Bread Line
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#114">114</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Effect of Fire on Granite Walls and Curbing
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#120">120</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Shurtleff School before and after the Fire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#128over">128</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Map showing Burned District
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#134">134</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+County Road, in the Residential Section
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#136">136</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+The Wentworth Residence, among the Places not Destroyed
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#140">140</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Residence of Ex-Mayor Pratt, in the Prattville District, One of the Many Attractive Places in Chelsea not Burned
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+<a href="#144">144</a>
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a><a id="Page_15"></a>15</span></p>
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">
+    CHAPTER I
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   HISTORICAL CHELSEA</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Before relating the story of <span class="smcap">The Burning
+of Chelsea</span> it seems that a slight
+sketch of the history of the city may be
+appropriate. Thousands of people read,
+with mingled interest and horror, newspaper
+accounts of the burning of Chelsea,
+who had previously only heard of the city in
+a casual way, perhaps in connection with
+the unfair and time-worn expression,
+“Dead as Chelsea.” Few people who have
+not made a study of the matter realize
+how much Chelsea stands for in history.
+To quote from a speech made by the
+late historian, Judge Mellen Chamberlain,
+L.L.D., at the laying of the corner-stone
+of the Prattville Schoolhouse, the city
+is associated with more really “first
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span>things” than any other city of this State
+or continent.</p>
+
+<p>The first settler, Samuel Maverick,
+landed on the shore of what are now the
+United States Naval Hospital grounds in
+1624. In 1625 he built a fortified house
+near the water’s edge, which, according to
+the historical tablet, erected near Chelsea
+Bridge, was the first house in the Massachusetts
+Bay Colony. Here Governor
+Winthrop was entertained in 1630. In
+1631 the first ferry in the country was
+established here, the landing being near
+the present pier on the government
+grounds, where the first county road in
+the colony, ending at Salem, began.
+There is a story to the effect that Maverick’s
+house was attacked by the Indians,
+but being completely repulsed, they never
+attacked again. Maverick traded with
+the Indians, and in this way acquired
+some five thousand acres of land, comprising
+what is now Chelsea, Revere,
+Winthrop, and Saugus, then known as
+Winnisimmet.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="016" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/016.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    THE BELLINGHAM-CARY HOUSE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span></p>
+
+<p>In 1630 Noddle’s Island, now East
+Boston, was sold to him. About 1632
+Maverick sold Winnisimmet to Richard
+Bellingham, afterward governor, after
+whom Mount Bellingham was named.
+Bellingham built the Cary house, which
+is still standing, and used it as a shooting
+lodge, his home being in Boston. Later
+it was bought by the Carys and greatly
+altered. Tradition says that British
+troops were quartered in the house and
+an officer committed suicide there.
+There is a secret chamber in the top of
+the house, reached only by a peculiar
+passage, which winds about the chimney
+from the cellar. Although the house is
+two hundred years old, it is still used
+as a dwelling, and fortunately escaped
+the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Until January 10, 1739, Chelsea was
+a part of Boston. On that date, by the
+terms of an act passed by the Great and
+General Court, that part of Boston
+known as Winnisimmet Village, Rumney
+Marsh, and Pullin’s Point, including
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span>what is now known as Chelsea, Revere,
+Winthrop, and Saugus was, “in consideration
+that they had long since built
+a meeting-house and supported the same,”
+set off as a town, to be known by the
+name of Chelsea.</p>
+
+<p>The first naval battle in the history
+of the United States occurred in Chelsea
+Creek on May 27, 1775. The conflict
+occurred between the Provincials and
+the British troops. Its outcome was
+that the armed schooner “Diana” was
+captured by the former and burned on
+the Chelsea shore.</p>
+
+<p>During the siege of Boston, in 1776,
+revolutionary troops under command of
+Colonel Gerrish were stationed in that
+part of Chelsea known as Prattville, and
+General George Washington on a tour
+of inspection took dinner at the Pratt
+homestead. This house was demolished
+in 1855. Its doorstep was built into
+the wall of Washington Park, where it
+may still be seen. The other old Pratt
+house which is still standing belonged
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">19</span>to the same family. It is the second
+oldest house in Chelsea to-day, having
+been built about 1700. It was in this
+house that Increase Mather (president
+of Harvard College from 1684 to 1701)
+took refuge from the persecution of
+Governor Andros.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="018" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/018.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    THE PRATT HOUSE, BUILT ABOUT 1700
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>In 1802 The Chelsea Bridge and
+Salem Turnpike Company received a
+charter, and during that year and the
+next built a toll bridge between Chelsea
+and Charlestown. Up to this time the
+only way to reach Boston with a loaded
+team was through Malden, Medford,
+Cambridge, Roxbury, and over Boston
+Neck, the trip usually requiring a whole
+day.</p>
+
+<p>On February 28, 1828, the State ceded
+to the General Government the property
+now used for the Naval and Marine
+hospitals.</p>
+
+<p>In 1831 an act was passed giving
+Boston the exclusive control of county
+buildings and relieving Chelsea from all
+expense attached to them. If at any
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">20</span>time Chelsea should wish to be set off
+to another county, Boston has no power
+to appear in opposition.</p>
+
+<p>In 1831 Francis B. Fay and others,
+acting for a proposed ferry company,
+purchased of Thomas Williams his farm
+and ferry for the sum of $22,500. The
+company, which still exists, was incorporated
+in 1833.</p>
+
+<p>In 1832 the first store in the village
+was built at the corner of Broadway and
+Everett Avenue, by John Low, and he
+was ridiculed by his friends for locating
+a store so far out of the way, as they
+said there would be few or no dwellings
+near him for twenty years. In this
+store were kept dry goods, groceries,
+medicine, the post-office, and baiting for
+horses. This being the only public place
+in the village, it was a general resort for
+the few early inhabitants, and records
+show that many pleasant evenings were
+spent there by Major Chase, Squire
+Knapp, Samuel Batchelder, Thomas
+Pratt, Dr. Stedman, Colonel Fay, Joseph
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span>and Charles Hanscom, and the “Ferry
+hands.”</p>
+
+<p>The first postmaster was Rev. Horatio
+Alger, followed by Abel Bowen and
+then Benjamin Dodge.</p>
+
+<p>In 1835 the town house was built.
+The town appropriated $3000. The
+building committee expended $3036.33,
+and for this excess “asked the indulgence
+of the town.”</p>
+
+<p>The first fire in Chelsea of which there
+is any record occurred in 1834, in Winnisimmet
+Square. There was no engine
+in Chelsea at the time, but No. 15 came
+over from Boston. After this fire the
+town bought an engine, and in 1835 the
+original Chelsea No. 1 was bought, and
+a house built for it in the square. In
+1837 a second engine was bought for
+$150, and a company organized under the
+name Volunteers No. 2, with quarters on
+Park Street.</p>
+
+<p>On February 22, 1841, a narrow strip
+of land extending from Malden, Melrose,
+and well into Wakefield, known as the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span>Panhandle, was set off to the town of
+Saugus.</p>
+
+<p>On March 19, 1846, North Chelsea,
+now Revere and Winthrop, was set off,
+reducing the town to its present size,
+which is about two and one quarter
+square miles or fourteen hundred and
+forty-one acres.</p>
+
+<p>In February, 1849, the Grand Junction
+Railroad was granted a charter to
+run from East Boston through Chelsea
+to Boston, thus giving Chelsea railroad
+connection with the outside world.</p>
+
+<p>In February, 1857, as the population
+was in excess of twelve thousand, the
+town petitioned the Legislature for a
+city charter, and on March 13 it was
+granted. On March 23 the charter was
+presented to the town and accepted by
+a vote of seven hundred and thirty-three
+to one hundred and seven. In the same
+year the Boston and Chelsea Horse Railroad
+received a charter to run from
+Revere along Broadway to Boston, and
+at the same time the Winnisimmet Railroad
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span>got a charter to run from Prattville
+through Washington Avenue, Park
+and Winnisimmet streets, to and across
+the ferry.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="022" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/022.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    BROADWAY BEFORE THE FIRE, LOOKING SOUTH FROM BELLINGHAM
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>When the Civil War broke out Chelsea
+was among the first to send men to
+the front, and during the war over one
+thousand men were forwarded.</p>
+
+<p>Hon. Frank B. Fay, who was mayor
+at the time, was made chief of the United
+States Sanitary Commission, and spent
+nearly two years at the front.</p>
+
+<p>On June 5, 1868, tolls were abolished
+on Chelsea Bridge and the Salem Turnpike,
+and they were made free public
+highways.</p>
+
+<p>Many famous people in all walks of
+life, both living and dead, came originally
+from or live at present in the city of
+Chelsea.</p>
+
+<p>Among them are Benjamin P. Shillaber,
+better known in the literary world
+as Mrs. Partington; Lieutenant William
+B. Cushing, who became famous by his
+heroic work in blowing up the “Albemarle”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span>during the Civil War; Mellen
+Chamberlain, L.L.D. and L.L.B., lawyer,
+judge, statesman, and historian;
+Hon. Frank B. Fay, chief of the United
+States Sanitary Commission during the
+Civil War; Hon. Rufus S. Frost, congressman
+and ex-president of the National
+Association of Woolen Manufacturers;
+John F. Low, inventor of the famous
+Low Art Tiles; Herman Atkins MacNeil,
+the sculptor; Rear Admiral John E.
+Pillsbury, United States Navy, assistant
+chief of the Bureau of Navigation; Captain
+J. B. Briggs, United States Navy;
+Miss Ellen M. Stone, the famous missionary;
+Congressman Ernest W. Roberts;
+Ex-Governor John L. Bates; David and
+Levi Slade, known by their famous spices;
+Henry Mitchell, the foremost engraver in
+this country; Fred L. Cutting, late insurance
+commissioner of Massachusetts;
+Colonel William Grantman of the Civil
+War; Mr. Frank Roy Fraprie, the author;
+Hendricks A. Hallet, the well-known
+artist; Jabez K. Montgomery, the ship
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">25</span>builder; Samuel Orcutt, inventor of the
+first rapid printing-press ever patented in
+the United States; Hon. Eustis C. Fitz,
+trustee of Brown and Wellesley colleges
+and ex-president of the Boston Board of
+Trade; William E. McClintock, chairman
+of the Massachusetts State Highway
+Commission; Dr. William G.
+Wheeler, associated with Dr. Oliver
+Wendell Holmes as examining physician
+for the Federal Government during
+the war; Mr. Joseph Lincoln, the author;
+Miss Laura Lee, the artist; Thomas and
+William Martin, manufacturers and exporters
+of elastic webbing; Miss Helen
+Fitz, president of the National Daughters
+of the American Revolution. There is
+practically no city of any size in the
+United States that does not contain former
+Chelsea people.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="024" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/024.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    BROADWAY, A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE, LOOKING SOUTH FROM BELLINGHAM
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>In Chelsea there are located many
+manufacturing concerns, famous not only
+locally but all over America, and in many
+cases throughout the civilized world.
+Among them are The Magee Furnace
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">26</span>Company; George D. Emery, the largest
+mahogany works in the United States,
+which maintains a line of steamers between
+Chelsea and South American ports;
+The Revere Rubber Company; the Low
+Art Tile Works; the D. &amp; L. Slade Company,
+spices; Thomas Strahan &amp; Company,
+whose wall paper is considered the finest
+made in America; T. Martin &amp; Brothers,
+elastic fiber; Atwood &amp; McManus, box
+manufacturers; and many large shoe
+factories.</p>
+
+<p>There are three prominent hills in
+Chelsea, Mount Bellingham, already mentioned,
+which was burned over in the
+recent fire; Sagamore Hill in Prattville,
+where lived the tribe of Sagamore Indians,
+and where up to recent years it
+was a common thing for Indian graves
+and relics to be found, better known as
+Mount Washington, after the visit of
+General George Washington; and Powderhorn
+Hill, which tradition says was
+once sold for a horn of powder. The top
+of this hill, which was purchased by the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span>city in 1897, is set aside to be enjoyed
+forever as a public park. From the top
+of this hill during the Revolution signals
+were made to the people in Roxbury
+and Cambridge, giving the news of any
+movements of the British army in Boston.
+During the winter of 1775-6 three
+companies of Colonial troops had their
+quarters on the south side of this hill.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the park on Powderhorn
+Hill, Chelsea has Union Park in the
+heart of the city, adjoined by two smaller
+parks at the railroad station, Washington
+Park in Prattville, and two playgrounds,
+one in the Highland district, and the
+other in the extreme western end and adjoining
+the boulevard. The latter contains
+a quarter-mile cinder track, a football
+field, and two baseball diamonds.
+The Revere Beach Parkway passes
+through the northern end of Chelsea and
+adds twenty-one and one fifth acres of
+boulevard and parks to its open spaces.
+It connects the city directly with the
+beautiful Middlesex Fells Reservation of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span>eighteen hundred and eighty-five acres,
+and the wonderful five-mile Ocean
+Drive just completed from Winthrop to
+Revere and Lynn.</p>
+
+<p>Chelsea is the easiest to reach of all the
+suburbs of Boston, being connected with
+it by the Winnisimmet Ferry, the Boston
+Elevated by the East Boston Tunnel,
+the Boston and Northern Electric line,
+and the Boston and Maine Railroad.
+From Chelsea Square to Scollay Square,
+in Boston, the running time is but thirteen
+minutes. Chelsea has the same
+postal service as Boston. It has the advantage
+of the Metropolitan water system
+and the Metropolitan sewerage system,
+both acknowledged unexcelled. Its
+schools are considered by the best colleges
+as of very high standing, and up to
+April 12, 1908, it had many miles of
+beautiful shaded streets and many natural
+advantages over other cities.</p>
+
+<p>Why is it, then, that during the few
+years previous to the fire Chelsea had
+lost so many desirable citizens? Why
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span>was it that in less than fifty years it had
+entirely lost its standing as the most
+aristocratic suburb of Boston, a place
+where people came to spend their summers,
+as they go to-day to Clifton, Magnolia,
+and Manchester, with a fashionable
+hotel on Powderhorn Hill, now the “Soldiers’
+Home,” and beautiful country places
+leading down to the water along Marginal
+Street? How was it possible for a
+city of wealth, with a population of ten to
+fifteen thousand, to change in so short a
+time to a business and manufacturing
+community with a population of forty
+thousand, including ten thousand
+Hebrews?</p>
+
+<p>This is what happened. In 1846 North
+Chelsea was set off, leaving an area of only
+two and one fourth square miles, including
+the United States Naval and
+Marine Hospital grounds and the United
+States Magazine Reservation. As the
+population increased business crowded
+the people back, until those who wished
+large estates migrated one by one to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span>Brookline, Newton, Malden, and other
+places. The Winnisimmet Ferry Company
+reduced its fare to three cents, and
+the crowded North End of Boston overflowed
+into Chelsea. Fire restrictions
+were placed on North End property in
+Boston and more Hebrews landed in
+Chelsea and set up their rag shops. It
+was gradual,—so gradual that old residents
+did not realize the number that
+were locating in the city. The water
+front properties were too valuable to lie
+idle, and large manufacturers secured
+them and located their factories there.
+With them naturally came a poorer class,
+and every two that came drove one old
+resident away. Young people married
+and moved away and the old people
+gradually died. This is why on April 12
+this change had taken place, and Chelsea
+had become the most thickly populated
+city in the United States in proportion
+to its size, having forty thousand population
+in less than two square miles.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="032" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/032.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    RUINS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AND CITY HALL
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span>
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">
+
+    CHAPTER II
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   STATISTICS OF THE FIRE</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Few people realize the size of the
+Chelsea fire from the newspaper accounts.
+In no cases were they exaggerated, while
+accounts in the New York and Western
+papers invariably underestimated the
+size of the burned district. On the
+authority of the “Fireman’s Herald” of
+New York it was the third largest fire in
+point of area in the history of this country.
+The San Francisco fire burned over
+twenty-seven hundred acres, the Chicago
+fire twenty-one hundred and twenty-four
+acres, the Chelsea fire four hundred and
+ninety-two acres, and the Portland, Me.,
+fire four hundred acres. The great Boston
+conflagration of 1872 covered only
+sixty-five acres.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span></p>
+
+<p>The Chelsea fire swept the center of the
+city, covering a space a mile and a half
+long and three quarters of a mile wide.
+It destroyed practically all the business
+section, most of the municipal buildings,
+and twenty-eight hundred and twenty-two
+other buildings, making seventeen thousand
+four hundred and fifty people homeless.</p>
+
+<p>It burned thirteen churches, eight
+schools, twenty-three oil tanks, the
+City Hall, the Frost Hospital, the
+Board of Health building, the Young
+Men’s Christian Association, the United
+States Post-office, four newspaper plants,
+the Masonic Temple, three fine bank
+buildings, two fire stations, and over
+three thousand shade trees, and ruined
+miles of granite curbing. There were
+over seven hundred business firms and
+professional men burned out. They included
+fifty grocery stores, twenty-nine
+barber shops, twenty-eight doctors,
+twenty-eight tailors and dressmakers,
+twenty-one real estate offices, seventeen
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span>insurance offices, thirteen apothecaries,
+and twelve bakers.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp92" id="034" style="max-width: 30em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/034.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908</p>
+
+    THE LYNN ENGINE DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>The fire spread so rapidly that three
+engines were caught in its path and destroyed,
+one from Lynn and two from
+Boston. A peculiar coincidence is that
+one of the Boston engines was “Big
+15,” bearing the same number as the
+engine which in 1834 came across the
+river and helped Chelsea put out its first
+fire. The insurance loss was $8,846,879,
+according to the figures given in the
+speech of President Burchell at the
+annual convention of the underwriters,
+on May 14, 1908. The taxable value
+of the property destroyed is estimated
+as $12,450,000 and other personal property
+brought the loss close to $20,000,000.</p>
+
+<p>The insurance loss was well divided,
+although the various companies located
+in Hartford, Conn., lost in the vicinity
+of $1,000,000. The Royal of England
+was the heaviest single loser, with a loss
+roughly estimated at $500,000. The
+Phœnix and Hartford Home offices came
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">34</span>next, with losses figured at $250,000
+each. The losses in addition to those
+mentioned above were as follows:—</p>
+
+<table class="autotable3">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Ætna, Hartford
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+$165,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+American, New Jersey
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+60,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+American Central, St. Louis
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+200,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+American Lloyds, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+4,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Agricultural, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+60,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Alliance, London
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+35,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Alliance, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+2,500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Albany, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+7,500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Ben Franklin, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+5,500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Boston
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+90,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Buffalo-German, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+15,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Cambridge Mutual
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+30,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Caledonian, Scotland
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+50,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Capital, New Hampshire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+10,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Camden, New Jersey
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+15,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Citizens, Missouri
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+27,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Colonial, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+20,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Concordia, Wisconsin
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+32,500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Connecticut
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+50,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+County, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+13,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Delaware
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+35,000<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Dixie, North Carolina
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+8,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Dutchess, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+6,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Eastern, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+4,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Empire City, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+5,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Fire Association, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+80,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Firemen’s, New Jersey
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+60,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+German-Alliance, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+30,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Girard, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+12,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Granite State, New Hampshire
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+15,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Hanover, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+175,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Hamburg Bremen, Germany
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+40,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Holyoke Mutual, Holyoke
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+150,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+India Mutual, Boston
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+2,500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Insurance Co. of North America, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+185,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Jefferson, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+35,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Law Union and Crown, England
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+1,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Liverpool &amp; London &amp; Globe
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+100,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+London &amp; Lancashire Co
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+94,700
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+London Assurance Corporation
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+85,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Mechanics, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+3,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Mercantile Fire and Marine
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+15,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Merchants &amp; Farmers Mutual
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+30,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Middlesex Mutual, Concord
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+60,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Milwaukee Mechanics, Wisconsin
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+12,000<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">36</span>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Nassau, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+$15,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+National, Connecticut
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+60,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+National, Allegheny
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+4,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+National, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+2,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+National Union, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+83,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+New Brunswick, New Jersey
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+10,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+New York Underwriters
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+25,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Niagara, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+115,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+North River, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+65,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+North British, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+10,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Norwich Union, England
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+300,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Old Colony, Boston
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+5,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Orient, Connecticut
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+95,750
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Palatine, London
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+95,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+96,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Phenix, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+200,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Philadelphia Underwriters
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+35,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Providence-Washington, Rhode Island
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+30,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Queen, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+95,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Richmond, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+1,600
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Royal Exchange, England
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+35,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Scottish Union and National
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+50,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Security, New York
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+20,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Southern, Louisiana
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+5,000<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+St. Paul Fire and Marine, Minnesota
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+$12,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Spring Garden, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+50,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+State, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+7,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Sun, London
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+125,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Svea, Sweden
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+25,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Union, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+25,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Western, Pennsylvania
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+10,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p>A relief fund was raised through
+Messrs. Lee, Higginson &amp; Company of
+Boston, amounting at this writing to
+over $350,000. The contributions to
+this fund were almost entirely from citizens
+of Massachusetts, as outside help
+was not asked for. They came from all
+classes of the community, and were sent
+in with the spontaneity and promptness
+with which the people of Massachusetts
+always respond to an appeal for merited
+aid.</p>
+
+<p>The fire traveled more rapidly than
+any other of the large fires. It reached
+its most distant point inside of five hours,
+and inside of ten hours all of the buildings
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span>burned were totally destroyed. How
+many persons lost their lives in the fire
+will probably never be known. Eighteen
+bodies were recovered, and it is safe to
+estimate that as many more were entirely
+burned. Over three hundred injured
+were treated at the United States
+Naval, United States Marine, and the
+Massachusetts Soldiers’ Home hospitals.</p>
+
+<p>The Metropolitan Water Commission
+records show that forty million gallons
+of water were used in Chelsea on April 12,
+instead of an average consumption of
+3,000,583, the cost of extinguishing the
+fire in water alone being $1600.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="038" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/038.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    START OF THE FIRE NEAR THE EVERETT LINE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">
+    CHAPTER III
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   THE START</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The fire started a little before eleven
+on Sunday morning, April 12, 1908. Its
+origin will probably never be positively
+known. The most plausible theory, however,
+is that the roof of a building of
+the Boston Blacking Company, which is
+located just off Summer Street, close to
+the Everett line, in the extreme western
+part of the city, caught fire from a burning
+pile of rags on the dump to the
+windward. At all events, the flames were
+first seen just before eleven o’clock licking
+up this inflammable building with
+its contents of oil, and sending a shower
+of sparks blown by a forty-mile gale
+towards the heart of the city, and an
+alarm was at once sent in.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span></p>
+
+<p>Immediately upon his arrival Fire
+Chief Spencer ordered a second alarm
+sounded as a matter of precaution, owing
+to the high wind. The firemen did good
+work and soon had the initial blaze well
+in check, as is shown by the fact that
+the remaining buildings of this company
+close by were saved.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the second alarm was
+sounded the firemen and spectators were
+astonished to see the three-story rag-shop
+of T. Lewitzky &amp; Son, fully two blocks
+away, burst into flames. Apparatus to
+successfully fight its burning was not
+available. It was this fire that doomed
+Chelsea, for sparks from it started fires
+in several directions.</p>
+
+<p>Opposite Lewitzky’s factory was the
+tar paper factory of Chapin &amp; Sawdin.
+The fierce heat from the tar paper drove
+the firemen back. A shed containing
+a large quantity of gasoline near by soon
+caught fire and blew up, just after a man,
+who was trying to save it, was ordered
+off by the police. This explosion set
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span>fire to houses in the vicinity, which were
+principally of old-fashioned wooden construction,
+and allowed the fire to get such
+impetus that it spread out diagonally
+across the wind like a fan. When it
+reached Everett Avenue on the north
+and set fire to Justin S. Perkins’ hay
+shed it looked as if nothing could save
+the Standard Oil Station, not over two
+hundred feet to the windward. “Cy”
+Coben was showing his nerve by sticking
+to his plant, but it was to the Malden
+firemen that Chelsea people are indebted
+for the saving of the northern section
+of the city. They arrived just in the
+nick of time and without thought of
+their personal safety, or of the awful
+result if the thousands of gallons of
+naphtha blew up, stuck by and saved
+the building.</p>
+
+<p>If this plant had burned the exploding
+oil would have set fire to the great building
+of the Eastern Storage Company across
+the railroad track, and nothing could have
+prevented it making a clean sweep of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span>Caryville, increasing the burned area
+by at least one hundred acres.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, the fire did not cross the
+tracks until an hour later, and then
+there was enough apparatus to extinguish
+it. After once getting hold of
+the little buildings on Maple Street, the
+flames almost simultaneously laid relentless
+hold of wooden buildings on all
+the surrounding streets. It raced down
+Summer, West Third, and Elm streets to
+Arlington Street, burning everything on
+Spruce Street and Everett Avenue.</p>
+
+<p>Although it took but a short time for
+the fire to reach and burn the city stables,
+through the energy of City Engineer
+O’Brion all of the horses, carts, harnesses,
+tools, etc., were saved, which was fortunate,
+as it enabled the city to set
+large numbers of unemployed to work
+the next day cleaning the streets.</p>
+
+<p>Before this time assistance had been
+asked of Boston, Everett, Revere, Lynn,
+Winthrop, Cambridge, Malden, Medford,
+and Melrose, and the engines soon began
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">43</span>to arrive; but from the moment the
+fire crossed Arlington Street there was
+no formidable stand made against it, as
+it spread so rapidly under the impulse
+of the gale and stretched out over so
+long a front, backed by acres of lurid
+flames.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="042" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/042.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    RESPONDING TO THE FIRST ALARM
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Not till it actually passed Arlington
+Street did people have any apprehension
+that it would not be stopped at this line,
+where the houses were of substantial
+brick construction. Ash Street, next to
+Arlington, was soon blazing and spreading
+the fire towards the railroad track in
+one direction, and Second Street in the
+other. The people on Walnut Street,
+next beyond, began moving out, and soon
+Union Park, near by, was filled with
+household goods. Women with babies in
+their arms stood huddled in the smoke,
+old men stood guard over the few things
+they had saved, and crying children
+hunted in vain for their parents. All
+the section about Walnut Street was inhabited
+by poor people with large families;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">44</span>Jews predominated, but all nations
+were represented. Many could not speak
+English, and panic seized all.</p>
+
+<p>It seems as if every one tried first to
+save a mattress, which would become
+ignited before it was carried a block, and
+add to the volume of the flames. The
+yards and open spaces were strewn with
+old bedding and other inflammable material,
+which assisted in spreading the
+fire. Trunks and other heavy things
+were dropped from upper windows,
+regardless of those beneath. In some
+cases men and women fought as to
+what they would save, while their houses
+burned. One man loaded a team with
+old junk; some women cried and refused
+to look at the flames, others were hysterical
+and looked and laughed. Many
+Jewish women carried live hens in their
+arms. All fled towards the park, but
+this haven of refuge was only temporary,
+for soon the suffocating smoke drove
+them out, and a few minutes later the
+flames destroyed most of the property
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span>laboriously removed from the houses.
+From here people dragging little ones
+or some article of furniture made for
+the railroad station, with the flames
+in close pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>While the human beings were having
+such a hard time of it, dogs and cats were
+also having their sufferings. Looking
+out into Walnut Street one dog was seen,
+that had once been black, rushing madly
+about; its hide had been singed to a
+crisp, and when last seen it was headed
+right into the flames. On many streets
+dogs, cats, and hens were found after the
+fire, burned to death, and many horses
+also perished, as more would have, but
+for heroic work. In one instance Frank
+W. Wentworth, with some help, saved
+nineteen horses from a burning building
+by covering their eyes with blankets.</p>
+
+<p>Huntington Smith of the Animal Rescue
+League estimates that as many as
+two thousand cats were burned to death.
+He says that these figures are conservative,
+and gives as the reason their
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span>devotion to their homes; dogs, on the
+other hand, are more devoted to their
+masters, whom they followed, and for
+this reason very few perished.</p>
+
+<p>From Walnut Street the fire leaped
+across Fifth and entered the windows of
+the new Jewish synagogue and literally
+lapped it up, and then hurled itself
+against the imposing brick walls of the
+Central Congregational Church at the
+corner of Fifth and Walnut streets.
+This church is one of the largest in the
+city, yet the flames took but a few moments
+to go from the basement up
+through the immense auditorium into
+the tower. While these buildings were
+burning the fire had destroyed on the
+other side of the city and at intermediate
+places the African Methodist Church,
+two Jewish synagogues, one on Walnut
+Street and one on Fourth Street, the
+Williams School, the Universalist Church
+and the Polish Church on Chestnut
+Street, and was headed straight for
+Broadway.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span></p>
+
+<p>The Universalist Church caught first
+in the steeple, as did most of the churches.
+It burned very slowly, but finally the
+great golden cross fell with a crash into
+Fourth Street. After this the pastor,
+Rev. R. Perry Bush, went in by a back
+way and up into the pulpit to take a last
+look at the familiar scene which was so
+dear to him. In a lecture which he afterwards
+gave he described his feelings very
+dramatically, and said that he stood in
+the pulpit until the church was filled
+with smoke and the flames broke through
+the big stained glass window, then saying,
+“Good-by, dear old church,” he
+went as he came.</p>
+
+<p>The deacons had saved the communion
+service and had loaded a team with other
+church property, including valuable
+books and documents. On top of these
+they piled many pew cushions,—a fatal
+error. To quote Dr. Bush, “Do not ever
+try to save cushions under such conditions;
+if we hadn’t tried to, we would
+have our books and papers to-day.”
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span>The cushions caught fire before they had
+been taken two blocks and were instrumental
+in setting fire to several wooden
+houses in the vicinity of Chestnut Street
+and Washington Avenue.</p>
+
+<p>Chestnut Street was, until a few years
+ago, one of the best streets in the city,
+and parts of it were still considered very
+nice. Among the prominent people still
+living on the street was Dr. J. B. Fenwick,
+whose wife lost her life in the fire,
+together with her niece, Mrs. Walter C.
+Barnes, of New York, and Elvina Boyn,
+Mrs. Fenwick’s maid. Mrs. Fenwick was
+prominent in Chelsea, being a member of
+the School Board and an active member
+of the Woman’s Club.</p>
+
+<p>It is not known how the women met
+their death, but it is believed they left
+the house by the rear door, as the street
+in front was thick with smoke and flying
+fire brands. They may have first turned
+up Cherry Street, a narrow street which
+ran past the rear of their house, and been
+stopped by the falling tower of the Polish
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">49</span>Church. This would have caused them
+to return towards Fourth Street. At
+about this time Granite Block on Broadway,
+directly back of which their bodies
+were found, was dynamited in an attempt
+to stop the conflagration, and the women
+probably took shelter in the porch of the
+building where their bodies were found,
+and were overcome by smoke.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="048" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/048.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    GRANITE BLOCK, DYNAMITED DURING THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Dr. George Fenwick, the son, has told
+friends that the last he saw of them was
+on the second floor of his home. As he
+was going to his room on the third floor
+Mrs. Barnes stopped him and handed
+him a wet towel to put over his face. The
+house had not yet caught fire, but the
+windows were cracked and broken by the
+heat from the fires across the street, and
+the building was full of smoke. He says
+he was not in his room over five minutes
+collecting his valuables. When he returned
+downstairs the women had left,
+and after making sure of this fact he
+made a dash down the street to the fire
+lines. Here he met his father, who had previously
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">50</span>gone out with things of value
+and was not allowed to return. As the
+women left before young Dr. Fenwick,
+both men supposed them safe, and getting
+out their automobile, which was at
+a garage, helped others save property.
+The bodies were not found for four days.</p>
+
+<p>On Chestnut Street, not far from the
+Fenwicks, lived Miss Ellen M. Stone, the
+missionary, who a few years before was
+captured by Macedonian brigands and
+held for a large ransom. People from
+all over this country contributed. Her
+home was filled with priceless souvenirs
+and a great many valuable books. Miss
+Stone was away from home over Sunday,
+and her servants had been given a holiday.
+Her brother, knowing that she
+was out of town, secured a horse and
+express wagon and drove to the house to
+save whatever might be possible. The
+doors, of course, were locked, and while
+he was battering one in the structure
+caught fire. When the door finally
+yielded the interior was all ablaze, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">51</span>Mr. Stone had to flee without saving a
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Frederick M. Whiting of the
+Eleventh Company, Coast Artillery
+Corps, also lived on Chestnut Street.
+When his company was ordered out, he
+went with it. When the fire reached his
+home, his brother gathered some valuables
+into a trunk and removed them to
+the Armory for safe keeping, but later
+the Armory burned and they were lost.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. J. M. Putnam was another resident
+of Chestnut Street, and was fortunate
+enough to save a few things with
+the aid of his son, Dr. Ralph Putnam,
+who came over from Winchester.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">52</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">
+    CHAPTER IV
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   BEYOND CONTROL</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Every one seemed to feel sure that
+the fire would be stopped at Broadway,
+as the buildings on this street were substantial
+structures built of stone and
+brick, and no one even then judged
+rightly the havoc which must ensue
+before the fury would abate.</p>
+
+<p>The local militia (the Fifth Company,
+Coast Artillery Corps) had been summoned,
+and the militiamen had donned
+their service uniforms and overcoats,
+leaving in their lockers, in security as
+they supposed, their civilian clothes,
+their watches, and pocket money.
+Hardly had they been assigned to their
+posts before Broadway was threatened,
+and soon their new $100,000 Armory
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">53</span>became a volcano of flame as the element
+of destruction spread on.</p>
+
+<p>It first reached Broadway between
+Third and Fourth streets. Here a heavy
+battery of engines was assembled to
+prevent its crossing, but the efforts of
+man and the floods of water were of
+no avail; the fire was beyond human
+control.</p>
+
+<p>Up to now the flames had rushed
+through the foreign tenement district,
+but when it passed Chestnut Street it
+entered the business center. Before the
+fire had even reached Chestnut and Fifth
+streets awnings in Bassett Square, two
+and three blocks away, caught fire. The
+fire reached Bellingham Station about
+two o’clock. The sight from here, looking
+down Broadway and Hawthorne
+Street, was beyond description. The
+fire fairly lay across the streets in a
+cyclonic whirl of flame.</p>
+
+<p>All at once out of Hawthorne Street
+shot an engine, as if coming out of a
+cannon. The driver was almost doubled
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">54</span>up and the horses were going at a two-twenty
+clip; where they came from or
+how they ever got out of that furnace
+alive is a mystery.</p>
+
+<p>The new six story brick Young Men’s
+Christian Association building caught
+first in the upper story and then all over;
+hose was burned at this point as fast as
+it was laid. An electric car of the Boston
+and Northern Railroad which had been
+stopped on Broadway, just below Bellingham,
+by the shutting off of the power,
+was pushed up the street and over the
+bridge to safety by fully a hundred men.</p>
+
+<p>Beyond Broadway lay blocks of substantial
+residences. The flames were
+gnawing up the structures on Hawthorne
+Street, and the Unitarian Church
+and Newspaper Row on Fourth Street
+were quickly burned. The fury of the
+spreading flames was indescribable.
+There would be no sign of fire in a building,
+when all at once it would seem to
+fairly burst into flames and simply melt
+away. One large double house, which
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">55</span>was timed, took just eight minutes to
+burn from the moment the flames were
+first seen until the building was a mass
+of ruins in the cellar.</p>
+
+<p>All this time people were fleeing from
+the fire, many moving things to what
+they considered a place of safety, only
+to be obliged to move them again and
+eventually have them burned. Many
+people who lived east of Broadway went
+out to see the fire before it had crossed
+that thoroughfare, only to return and
+find their homes either on fire or already
+destroyed. No one seemed to realize
+how fast the fire was traveling, except
+those who fought it. If people had
+heeded the first warnings of the soldiers
+and the police, many could have saved
+something, but they waited, not wishing
+to appear timid, and afraid of ridicule
+if they started to move too soon. In
+the face of the great battle they had to
+fight, firemen and police officers could
+not give heed to the frantic appeals of
+women to save furniture.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">56</span></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="056over" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/056over.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    A BOSTON FIRE BOAT FIGHTING THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Many people, when they realized that
+they had lost everything, threw themselves
+in the street and cried aloud in
+their suffering. It was no uncommon
+sight to see white-faced women walking
+aimlessly along the street, heedless of
+where they were going, yet carrying a
+frying pan or tin dipper. One man
+rushed into his house, at the risk of his
+own life, to save the family cat. After
+carrying it a block the cat scratched
+itself free and dashed back into its burning
+home. Hundreds of people saved
+canary birds, and one woman came along
+the street with a statue, which had no
+head or feet, under one arm, and a bird
+cage with a cat in it under the other.
+When asked why she was saving the
+broken statue she looked at it in a dazed
+sort of a way and threw it away in disgust,
+and then wonderingly inquired how
+her bird had got out of the cage, never
+realizing that the cat had eaten it. One
+woman, remembering that she had left
+a pocket-book containing $17 on her
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">57</span>dining-room table, rushed back into her
+home and grabbed up what she thought
+was her pocket-book, but when she had
+gotten several blocks away she found
+that in her excitement she had taken
+a piece of cut glass instead, and it was
+then too late to return. Another woman
+was ordered out of her house by a militiaman,
+but would not go until she had first
+filled her teakettle with water. Afterward
+she couldn’t explain why herself.
+Many people went temporarily insane.
+On the Washington Avenue bridge
+one man stood for hours making appeals
+for volunteers to fight the fire; his coat
+was off and his hair was mussed. People
+paid no heed to his frantic gestures, but
+he probably imagined he was saving the
+city. Another man committed suicide
+by shooting himself near Union Park.
+Some lost the power of speech, but under
+the circumstances the number of minds
+affected was small.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="056under" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/056under.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908</p>
+
+    BROWN STONE HOUSES FARED NO BETTER THAN WOODEN TENEMENTS
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>One woman lugged a great marble
+clock under one arm and a dog under
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">58</span>the other for three quarters of a mile.
+The dog couldn’t lay down for three days,
+she had held him so tight. Many people
+saved things of little value and left
+things impossible to replace. One man
+carried twenty-two pieces of cut glass
+loose and unpacked, tied up in a sheet
+and thrown over his shoulder, for over
+a mile, through all the excitement, and
+not one piece was smashed.</p>
+
+<p>A fireman entered Freeman’s drug
+store while it was burning and taking
+the reflection of himself in the long
+mirror at the end of the store for another
+fireman walked through the glass.</p>
+
+<p>Two men trying to save an upright
+piano gave it up when the cloth in the
+back caught fire. One opened the lid
+and played “There’ll be a hot time in
+the old town to-night,” while the buildings
+all about him burned.</p>
+
+<p>Fate was especially kind to Eli C. Bliss,
+who lived in what is called Chestnut
+Street Pocket,—a short blind end of
+Chestnut Street beyond Washington Avenue,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">59</span>ending in a steep embankment at
+the railroad tracks. The fire approached
+so rapidly that escape was impossible,
+except by way of the embankment. Just
+as Mr. Bliss was leaving his attractive
+home a passing freight train stopped
+directly at the end of the street, and the
+train crew rushed up the bank and
+announced that they had two empty box
+cars. Working like demons nearly everything
+in the house of any value, including
+a grand piano, a lot of old mahogany
+furniture, books, and paintings, was piled
+into the cars, until they were nearly full.
+The train then pulled out just as the house
+commenced to burn, none too soon, as
+the cars were smoking themselves. Mr.
+Bliss later located his furniture in Lynn,
+after it had landed in Portland and been
+shipped back.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="058" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/058.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    JUNCTION OF WASHINGTON AVENUE AND BROADWAY BEFORE THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>The railroad tracks which passed
+through this part of the city have always
+been considered an eyesore and have
+been the cause of much regret to many
+residents. There is not a resident of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">60</span>Chelsea to-day, however, who is not glad
+of their presence, as they were the means
+of saving the northern part of the city,
+the best residential section. The fire
+burned only a single building north of
+the tracks.</p>
+
+<p>Not far from the Bliss estate lived the
+Millers. Miss Edith Miller was to be
+married in a few days, but so hurriedly
+were they obliged to leave that not even
+her wedding dress was saved, and all her
+beautiful presents and trousseau were
+lost.</p>
+
+<p>When the fire started up Mount Bellingham,
+hurried calls were made for
+ambulances to take the patients out of
+the Frost Hospital. There were twenty-five
+patients suffering from different injuries
+and diseases in the building, and
+the doctors and nurses showed great
+heroism. But for their running into the
+street and hailing all the automobiles and
+teams in the vicinity, and making them
+carry the patients to the other three
+hospitals in the city, none would have
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">61</span>been saved. As it was, before the last
+patient was out the roof was blazing.
+Meanwhile the children at the day nursery
+had been taken care of and were nicely
+housed, thanks to Mr. Jesse Knowlton,
+at his home on Powderhorn Hill.</p>
+
+<p>The City Hall did not last long after
+the flames took their first mouthful. The
+city treasurer, Thomas B. Frost, early
+recognized the peril and removed all the
+city funds, while the books were locked
+in the safes by the city clerk, Charles H.
+Reed, who stayed in the building so long,
+saving property, that he was obliged to
+make his escape through a second-story
+window. The beautiful Baptist Church
+across the street melted away before the
+flames in a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>Many people made a frightful mistake
+by thinking they were safe in fleeing to
+the Garden Cemetery. Those who did
+were surrounded on all sides by the
+flames, and for hours they crouched behind
+tombs, fighting the burning embers
+and gasping for breath.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">62</span></p>
+
+<p>The flames fairly shot up Bellingham
+Street, on which were many fine homes.
+Chief among them, on the very top of the
+hill, was the beautiful estate of Ex-Mayor
+Thomas Strahan, filled with valuable
+paintings, tapestries, and art treasures,
+collected from all parts of the world. The
+house was of brick and stone with a slate
+roof and plenty of land about it, and it
+seemed as if it could be saved. The
+view from the tower of the Strahan
+house can never be forgotten. As far as
+one could see, a seething mass of flame,
+like a tidal wave, was rolling up the hill.
+So fast had the fire approached that the
+Lynn engine, stationed halfway up Bellingham
+Street, was unable to get away.
+The firemen did not abandon it until
+their faces were burned and their hair
+singed. It was beyond human force to
+withstand the terrific heat and suffocating
+smoke, and it was with difficulty, when
+they finally abandoned it, that they were
+able to save their lives, as the fire completely
+surrounded them.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" style="max-width: 40em;" id="062">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/062over.jpg" alt="">
+ <img class="w100" src="images/062under.jpg" alt="">  <figcaption>
+    RESIDENCE OF EX-MAYOR THOMAS STRAHAN
+    BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">63</span></p>
+
+<p>At this time the fire had already passed
+the Strahan house in the valley to the
+left, and the Highland School, halfway
+up the hill on that side, was in flames.
+Great pieces of burning wood came into
+the tower and the wind was so strong
+that it was hard to stand against it.</p>
+
+<p>So fascinating was the sight that it
+was not until the Strahan barn, only a
+few feet away, burst into flames, as if it
+was made of celluloid, that the writer
+descended from the tower to help the
+Strahans to escape; but they, like too
+many others, had waited too long, in
+hopes their home would be saved. With
+the help of the servants we carried out
+several blankets filled with clothing, a
+chest of silver and some jewelry, leaving
+thousands of dollars’ worth of beautiful
+things to be devoured by the flames.</p>
+
+<p>We fled down the hill in the direction
+of Orient Heights. Hundreds were going
+the same way; poor and rich were on
+equal terms. The wind blew with such
+force that women were blown into fences
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">64</span>and trees or lost their balance and fell.
+Great pieces of furniture went bounding
+end over end down the hill, blown by the
+wind. Horses were running away, and
+the scene was one of terrifying confusion.
+Escape was possible only by enduring
+the hostile breath of the flames, running,
+tripping over abandoned furniture in the
+blinding, sickening smoke, towards the
+marshes to the northeast, where, although
+safe from the flames, the refugees suffered
+untold agony from the hail-storm of
+stones and showers of blazing embers
+that fell upon them, burning holes in their
+clothes and starting grass fires in every
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>One old lady’s celluloid back comb
+caught fire and her white hair was burned
+down to the scalp in back before the
+flames could be smothered. The many
+horses set loose on the marsh also endangered
+lives. The wails of hundreds of
+frantic parents vainly searching for their
+children added to the excitement. One
+mother fell in a dead faint when her two-year-old
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">65</span>child, whom she had given up as
+lost, was brought to her.</p>
+
+<p>In the crowd racing down Mount Bellingham
+were many men, who had assumed
+the duties of clearing houses of
+inmates, lending a hand to all the weak
+and faltering, until they themselves were
+obliged to flee for their lives. Perhaps
+the most touching spectacle was the old
+people, forgotten by their relatives. In
+many cases these old women had to be
+carried bodily to safety, and it speaks
+well for the city that there were men
+doing this work amid the confusion and
+at the risk of their own lives. Men and
+boys, crazed by the thought of losing
+their homes, clambered to the roofs and
+tried to save them with puny buckets of
+water, replying to frantic warnings to
+escape while there was time, only with
+curses, until in many cases they had to
+be driven by blows to a place of safety.</p>
+
+<p>The flames came down the hill like a
+forest fire. They were upon the people
+before they realized it, and when they
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">66</span>attacked at the front door there was but
+one thing to do, and that was to make a
+rush for the rear door.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, on the south side of
+the city the fire had burned from building
+to building. There was no stopping it,
+although the firemen worked desperately.
+It kept on towards the water front until
+it reached the buildings of the Tidewater
+Oil Company. Here five oil tanks caught
+fire and exploded and set fire to the docks
+along the water front, and then three
+barges loaded with oil a little farther on
+caught fire and spread to the Ellis yard,
+where more oil was stored. The fire
+boats came as near as they dared and
+poured streams of water on the flames, but
+it was like trying to check a volcanic
+eruption.</p>
+
+<p>The two bridges to East Boston next
+fell and cut off this means of escape, and
+in this way a Boston engine was burned
+and a boy lost his life. Near the bridges
+were many fine yachts, that of Mr. Seaver
+being worth $50,000. This, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">67</span>many other vessels, were burnt. One
+broke away from its moorings and drifted
+to the East Boston shore, setting fire to
+the Standard Oil Works. This was about
+four o’clock, but from the time the fire
+began to spread into the east side of
+Chelsea, East Boston was in peril from
+the shower of sparks and burning brands
+which the high wind swept over its roofs.
+More than half the residents packed their
+belongings and were ready to move at a
+moment’s notice. Despite the desperate
+efforts of the many engines the flames
+spread to a one-story brick building, containing
+three hundred barrels of oil, and
+soon four other buildings of the plant
+were burning. Next the great oil tanks
+went up, the flames shooting several
+hundred feet into the air and sending skyward
+great clouds of flame and thick,
+black smoke. This swept down the harbor,
+across the bay, and out to sea, continuing
+to do so for two days and two
+nights. Reports from Scituate, Cohasset,
+and other places showed that showers
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">68</span>of embers dropped from the clouds, and
+in places good-sized pieces of burnt
+shingles were picked up. Grass fires
+were started in Nantasket and Winthrop.
+The glare from the fire in the evening was
+seen from Portland, Me. The natives at
+first believed it to be York Beach, it was
+so bright.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile about fifty houses in East
+Boston had their roofs badly damaged.
+These fires, however, mark the extreme
+limit of the flames in this direction and
+were soon extinguished.</p>
+
+<p>Although much credit is due the firemen,
+they were greatly helped by the
+fact that the velocity of the wind began
+to decrease about the time the oil works
+caught fire.</p>
+
+<p>While this contest was being waged,
+another army of firemen was struggling
+on the north. About two o’clock the
+Armory burned; and when it was all
+ablaze, a large quantity of ammunition
+which was stored in the building exploded
+with a tremendous report, while tons of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">69</span>burning wood were shot across the street
+and into the adjoining buildings.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="068" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/068.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908</p>
+
+    BOSTON AND ALBANY RAILROAD BRIDGE, WITH WRECKED EAST BOSTON BRIDGE
+    AND BURNING OIL TANKS
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>The Public Library directly across the
+street, a gift to the city from the Hon.
+Eustis C. Fitz, containing over eighty
+thousand volumes and many historical
+records and relics, caught and burned
+without an attempt being made to save
+it or its contents.</p>
+
+<p>One of the best illustrations of the
+heat of the fire to those familiar with the
+burning of books, is the fact that after
+the fire not one scrap of paper was found.
+Granite will often crumble and iron melt
+before a book will be totally burned up.</p>
+
+<p>The Convent and Parochial School also
+were among the buildings which caught
+from the Armory, and the twenty-eight
+sisters made a hasty departure.
+Next went Saint Rose Catholic Church,
+remodeled at an expense of $50,000 a
+short time before. Beyond this was the
+railroad track, and here a determined
+stand was made. Thousands of people
+lined the opposite side of the track, and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">70</span>water was played on most of the buildings.
+Soon after the Catholic Church
+commenced to burn the Melrose fire department
+crossed the track with a line of
+hose and climbed the steep bank just in
+the rear of the church, which was like a
+flaming furnace. Hardly had they got
+the water on when the roof fell. The
+heat was so terrific that the firemen who
+held the hose were obliged to drop flat on
+their faces with their hands under their
+bodies. Even then they were more or
+less burned about the neck and ears.
+One fireman, who was nearest the building,
+groaned in agony, “Give me hell in
+preference to this.”</p>
+
+<p>On Washington Avenue there stand
+to-day three wooden houses. They are
+the only buildings, with the exception of
+part of Cobb’s stable on Broadway,
+which were saved on that side of the
+Boston and Maine tracks, and that they
+are still standing is due to two things:—</p>
+
+<p>First, to the fact that Union Park and
+the park at the station are in the rear
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">71</span>and the fire had to burn around them
+and then up into the wind.</p>
+
+<p>Second, to Dr. Thomas Green and
+Robert Hamilton, who, after the others
+had deserted their homes, remained and
+helped the firemen.</p>
+
+<p>On the south of the city firemen were
+stubbornly fighting to save Winnisimmet
+Square. The flames upon spreading
+along Everett Avenue had made away
+with the great Chelsea Trust Company
+building on the corner of Everett Avenue
+and Broadway. They then reached out
+to the other corner and caught on every
+floor of the building. Across the street
+was the Post-office and this was doomed,
+but at the Park Hotel the flames were
+checked.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="070over" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/070over.jpg" alt="">
+<img class="w100" src="images/070under.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    THE FITZ PUBLIC LIBRARY BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">72</span></p>
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">
+    CHAPTER V
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   UNDER CONTROL</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>By six o’clock the firemen were keeping
+the fire confined to the buildings
+already burned on the south. On the
+north they had succeeded in preventing
+its crossing the railroad tracks, and on
+the east and west it had burned itself
+out, while in East Boston the firemen
+seemed to be holding their own. It was
+not until one o’clock in the morning,
+however, that Commissioner Parker announced
+that all danger of its further
+spreading had passed.</p>
+
+<p>Late in the afternoon the United
+States marines from the Navy Yard, who
+had been ordered to Chelsea by Admiral
+Swift, arrived in Chelsea Square. The
+detail consisted of one hundred and ten
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">73</span>men under command of Captain C. S.
+Hill, Lieutenants Moses, Williams, and
+Judson, with rifles and ball cartridges,
+and they at once cleared the square and
+the surrounding streets, and assisted
+the firemen in many ways.</p>
+
+<p>The good work done by this corps and
+their ability to carry out instructions
+is well illustrated by a story which went
+the rounds at the Puritan Club a few
+days later, at the expense of Harry
+Frothingham, one of the members.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that the former Boston fire
+commissioner, “Ben” Wells, and Mr.
+Frothingham went over to Chelsea, arriving
+shortly after the marines had cleared
+the square. Mr. Wells’ fire badge admitted
+him through the lines, and although
+Mr. Frothingham had no badge,
+he got through at the same time. Reporters
+who recognized Mr. Wells joined
+him, anxious to get an interview from a
+man of so much experience in fires. A
+corporal of the guard who saw the crowd
+broke in with the remark, “Have you
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">74</span>fellows all got badges?” Mr. Frothingham
+had none and the corporal ordered
+him out. The reporters could not stand
+for this, and one excitedly exclaimed,
+“Look here, what are you doing? That
+is Ex-Alderman Frothingham, and he is
+with Ex-Fire Commissioner Wells.” “I
+don’t care who he is or who he’s with;
+if he hasn’t got a badge, out he goes,”
+replied the corporal, and turning to one
+of his men he said, “Put that man out
+and keep him out. See!” and Mr.
+Frothingham went.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="074" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/074.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    WHERE THE FIRE WAS STOPPED ON SIXTH STREET
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">75</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">
+    CHAPTER VI
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   NIGHT AMONG THE RUINS</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>As night approached the problem of
+protecting the seventeen thousand refugees
+and their goods confronted those
+in authority, and it was realized that it
+was too great for the local artillery company
+and the detail from the Marine
+Corps to handle. The State was called
+upon for more military assistance and
+eight companies of the Coast Artillery,
+four of the Fifth Infantry, six of the
+Eighth Infantry, and four of the First
+Corps of Cadets were rushed to the scene,
+making twelve hundred troops on duty
+before morning. At ten thirty the city
+was declared under martial law, and no
+one was allowed in or out until morning.
+Seven hundred tents and seven hundred
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">76</span>and fifty blankets were ordered down
+from the barracks at South Framingham,
+and a special train with Battalion Adjutant
+Kendall in charge brought them
+through in record time, arriving shortly
+after midnight. All trains on the Boston
+and Maine, and all electric cars on the Boston
+and Northern and the Boston Elevated
+had been stopped. The Chelsea Ferry
+was commanded to cease its trips and
+a cordon of soldiers was thrown entirely
+about the city. At the principal approaches
+it is estimated that one hundred
+thousand curious people were turned
+back. The telephone exchange had been
+burned and of course the service was
+useless. Early in the day the electric
+power plant was shut down to prevent
+death by live wires, and the streets outside
+the burned district would have been
+dark, but for the glow which was reflected
+from the sky and the moon, which
+dimly beamed through the pall of smoke.
+At the Court House, where scores of
+injured were taken in ambulances, doctors
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">77</span>and nurses, under charge of Dr. J. A.
+Johnson, worked as best they could by
+the light of lanterns.</p>
+
+<p>In the court room were homeless
+women huddled in gray despairing heaps
+on the hard benches. At the back of
+the room rows of rubber-coated men
+leaned back on their hard benches, their
+inflamed eyes completely hidden by
+squares of soft absorbent cotton, soaked
+with ointments, which showed up with
+startling effect against their blackened
+faces. In the center of the room, under
+the sickly ray of a red lantern, stood
+the big court table piled high with thick
+square loaves of bread, big four-gallon
+cans of milk, and fifty-gallon cans of
+coffee. At either end of this table were
+well-dressed women, their faces pale and
+haggard, one cutting slices of bread and
+others pouring coffee. Men ate in huge
+gulps and drank from thick white mugs
+and quart dippers, then rushed out to
+the fire, taking handfuls of food to those
+who could not leave their engines. The
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">78</span>difference between the room, with its
+misery and confusion, and the orderly
+hall of justice for which it had served up
+to that day, was as marked a contrast
+as could readily be imagined.</p>
+
+<p>All night long ambulances dashed from
+the ruins to the United States Naval
+Hospital, where, under the direction of
+Medical Inspector H. E. Ames of the
+United States Navy the majority of the
+injured were treated, and to the United
+States Marine and Soldiers’ Home hospitals,
+and but for the unflagging efforts
+of the hospital sergeants, doctors, and
+nurses many more lives would have been
+lost.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp43" id="078" style="max-width: 75.875em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/078.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    RUINS OF THE CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>One man, when picked up by the
+ambulance with his face and arms terribly
+burned, was nearly dead. Attempts
+were made to learn his name in
+case he should die, but in reply to the
+attendant’s question he only moaned,
+“My God! My God!” Another man was
+picked up with both legs broken, still
+another had a terrible gash in his forehead
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">79</span>caused by a falling wall, another
+man fell from a roof and broke two ribs,
+and so it went. In all, three hundred
+injured persons were treated.</p>
+
+<p>Mayor Beck, who had lost his home
+and his newspaper plant, was everywhere,
+and it was nearly morning when
+he lay down on a policeman’s cot at the
+station for a few hours’ sleep. Many
+of the policemen who were on duty lost
+their homes, but stuck to their posts,
+although they did not know where their
+wives and families were.</p>
+
+<p>About midnight a gang of men started
+to clear the street railway tracks on
+Broadway and Everett Avenue, which
+are the outlets from Boston to many of
+the northern suburbs. In places they
+were piled several feet high with bricks,
+granite blocks, and other debris. The
+rails themselves had been twisted and
+bent into all conceivable shapes by the
+heat, and the trolley wires and poles were
+down. In spite of the several miles of
+track thus destroyed the company ran
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">80</span>cars through the city the second day
+after the fire. Through the orders of
+Henry Mitchell, chairman of the High
+School Committee, the doors of the
+High School on Crescent Avenue had
+been thrown open early in the day to
+hundreds of women and children who
+were wandering aimlessly about the
+streets and parks. The corridors were
+now filled to overflowing with sobbing
+women, little children, and a few old men.
+Husbands and brothers were out hunting
+for relatives, directing people to
+shelter or helping in some other way.
+Few men slept during that night, and
+hundreds had their eyes so badly burned
+and inflamed by the smoke and heat
+that they were in great pain.</p>
+
+<p>The High School could hold only a
+limited number, and it was pitiful to see
+women and children huddled together
+for warmth in little groups along the
+railroad tracks, in the parks, or in side
+streets. Thousands flocked to Powderhorn
+Hill and spent the night sobbing
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">81</span>out some story of woe to any bystander
+who might seem at all interested.</p>
+
+<p>During the evening a citizens’ meeting
+was held in the High School, which was
+attended by many prominent men. A
+Relief Committee was formed to care
+for the destitute and needy. Mr. Wm.
+E. McClintock, chairman of the State
+Highway Commission, was chosen chairman;
+City Treasurer Thomas B. Frost,
+treasurer, and Benjamin P. Nichols, secretary.
+After sending out the following
+letter of appeal the meeting was adjourned
+until eight o’clock in the morning.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “Chelsea, April 12, 1908.
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“We have been visited by a most terrible
+catastrophe. One half the area of
+our city has been swept by fire. Fifteen
+thousand people are homeless.</p>
+
+<p>“Twelve million dollars’ worth of property
+has been destroyed. Our business
+section is almost wholly wiped out. We
+are in sore need. We have not lost our
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">82</span>courage, but are applying ourselves with
+all our ability to the task before us.</p>
+
+<p>“But that task is stupendous, and we
+ask assistance of all who are beneficently
+inclined. He who gives quickly gives
+double. Subscriptions may be sent to
+City Treasurer Thomas B. Frost.”</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>(Signed)</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+  “<span class="smcap">John E. Beck</span>,<br>
+  “Mayor of Chelsea.<br>
+  <br>
+  “<span class="smcap">William E. McClintock</span>,<br>
+  “Chairman of Relief Committee.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Later it was decided to accept no aid
+outside the State of Massachusetts.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="082" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/082.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908</p>
+
+    A VAST EXPANSE OF RUINS
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">83</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">
+    CHAPTER VII
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   DAY DAWNS UPON THE RUINS</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>As the sky grew light and the morning
+mist cleared away, it disclosed a vast
+expanse of smoking ruins. The night
+had passed, and what a night! filled with
+vivid, awful memories of the dead and
+injured, the homeless and destitute. The
+great blackened tract over which the
+fire had swept, which only the day before
+had been covered with dwellings,
+stores, and public buildings, was deserted,
+save for the soldiers, and here and there
+little groups of firemen, tired and worn
+out, but still working. As it grew lighter
+more people appeared. On the playground
+to the west soldiers were pitching
+tents for the homeless. As far as
+one could see lay nothing but a barren
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">84</span>waste, with here and there the ragged
+walls of a church or school standing out
+against the sky, like the ruins of some old
+castle.</p>
+
+<p>On the sides of Bellingham Hill, with
+the exception of the walls of the Highland
+School, nothing remained. Far off
+in the distance towards the west stood
+the ruins of the big Frank B. Fay School,
+named for Chelsea’s war mayor.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="084over" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/084over.jpg" alt="">
+<img class="w100" src="images/084under.jpg" alt="">
+<figcaption>
+    THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Broadway had been partly cleared
+during the night and was passable. The
+other streets, however, were piled with
+debris. The telephone, electric light,
+and street railway wires were in a tangled
+mass all over the city. In spite of
+this, by noon the telephone people had
+six lines operating for official business.
+A line of hose had been kept playing on
+the vaults of the County Savings Bank
+all night, and about ten o’clock they
+were opened. A great cloud of smoke
+poured out, but the contents were intact,
+giving confidence to the other bank officials
+that their securities were safe, which
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">85</span>later proved true. To the southeast the
+huge oil tanks still belched forth clouds
+of smoke and flame, showing that here
+the fight was not yet over.</p>
+
+<p>The granite curbs that edged the
+streets were crumbled into little piles of
+sand and gravel, and in the entire area
+there was not enough inflammable material
+to kindle a kitchen fire. So intense
+and searching had been the heat that the
+telegraph poles in places were burned
+two feet into the ground. Nowhere were
+there any ashes; they had all gone with
+the gale. It was the most complete
+sweep that could be imagined; hardly a
+brick wall stood, save those of public
+buildings. The sight was like nothing
+so much as the skeleton of Pompeii, with
+the great smoke clouds of the oil tanks to
+represent Vesuvius in eruption. The
+cellars were often filled with glowing
+coals, with here and there a darting
+flame and drifts of black smoke.</p>
+
+<p>The horror of the devastation thrilled
+the tingling nerves, and it all seemed like
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">86</span>a fearful dream until a sharp, “Halt!
+Who’s there?” from a guard, brought
+back the reality of the thing.</p>
+
+<p>With the dawn the people of Chelsea
+got their first glimpse of the burnt area,
+and began to realize what the fire demon
+had accomplished. The work of over
+one hundred years had been destroyed in
+a few hours. In every direction were
+the skeletons of what had been beautiful
+shade trees that it had taken God fifty
+years to grow, and which “Hell’s breath”
+had withered and killed in a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>With the daylight people took courage;
+there was no weeping, and the excited
+crowds of the day before were no
+more. Men who had lost everything
+smiled and extended sympathy to others.
+The one thing that impressed the observer
+was the matter-of-fact way in which
+all took their losses. They kept their
+troubles to themselves and got to work
+helping others.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="086over" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/086over.jpg" alt="">
+<img class="w100" src="images/086under.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    SHURTLEFF STREET BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">87</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">
+    CHAPTER VIII
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   THE FIREMEN</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>No set of men ever worked harder than
+the firemen. They put up as gallant a
+fight as was ever fought on a battlefield.
+Old men, who had spent their lives fighting
+the flames, admitted that it was the
+hottest fire that they had ever seen. No
+amount of apparatus could have stopped
+it after the second fire had got started.
+The way the gale swept the flames along
+was beyond comprehension.</p>
+
+<p>The Chelsea firemen had been kept
+constantly on the jump for two years
+previous to the fire in the performance of
+their duties, and when this fire started
+they, like other citizens, thought it would
+be extinguished, as many others had been
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">88</span>in that district, without much loss, but
+the second fire changed everything.</p>
+
+<p>At the meeting of the Fire Chiefs’ Club
+of Massachusetts, held at the Hotel Cecil,
+Boston, on April 15, the sentiment expressed
+was that no fire-fighter in the
+country could have done any better than
+Chief Spencer, with such odds against
+him, and as a token of their sympathy and
+esteem they elected him their president.
+They agreed, however, that the fire was
+not handled systematically, but that this
+was through no fault of Chief Spencer.
+If he had had a corps of deputies, there
+would have been some one in authority
+to meet the out-of-town firemen when
+they arrived. As it was, these companies
+had to rely on their own judgment
+and get to work without making a report.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp51" id="088" style="max-width: 62.4375em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/088.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COURTESY OF UTICA SATURDAY GLOBE</p>
+
+    CHIEF SPENCER DURING THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>And speaking of Chief Spencer, a good
+story is told at his expense. During the
+fire a bundle of woman’s wearing apparel
+was left at the Central Fire Station
+for safety. Shortly after Chief Spencer
+entered the building and threw his hat
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">89</span>down upon the bundle, and when he left,
+hurriedly grabbed up a different hat.
+Later in the day the Central Fire Station
+burned, and one of the firemen, assuming
+that the chief had packed up his uniform
+in the bundle from the fact that his hat
+was on top of it, with much difficulty
+carried the bundle to a place of safety.
+The next day the man proudly went to
+his chief and notified him that he had
+saved his uniform. The chief was greatly
+surprised, but naturally pleased, and
+thanked him cordially, at which the
+blushing fireman replied he was glad to
+have been of service to him. The chief
+sent for the things, and notified his wife
+that he had sent his uniform home and
+asked her to open the bundle and hang it
+up. But it was up to the chief to explain,
+when his wife met him in the front hall
+with indescribable articles of female wearing
+apparel and demanded to know if
+they were a part of his uniform.</p>
+
+<p>Many firemen were injured or burned
+during the day; all suffered terribly with
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">90</span>their eyes, and men like Dr. W. S. Walkley
+(and there were a lot of them), who
+went about among the firemen bathing
+their eyes and putting cold cream on their
+burns, were a godsend and did much
+good.</p>
+
+<p>A great many Chelsea firemen lost
+their homes, but even when it became
+apparent that they were to be destroyed,
+they did not waver, but stuck to their
+duty. They would enter a burning
+building with their hose and stay there in
+an attempt to save it until their clothes
+were on fire, enduring suffocating smoke
+and intense heat, and many times did
+not leave their positions until their lines
+commenced to burn. In many cases
+they stuck to their posts, playing streams
+of water on burning oil tanks and buildings
+containing explosives, when at any
+moment they were liable to be blown
+into eternity. Their courage and their
+loyalty to their superior officers will
+always be a lesson to follow to those who
+were among them. No criticisms have
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">91</span>been made of their work; it has been universally
+acknowledged that no human
+agency could have won out against such
+odds on that day.</p>
+
+<p>The following letter, sent by Mayor
+Hibbard of Boston to Fire Commissioner
+Parker, would apply to the firemen from
+any of the many cities that gave aid to
+Chelsea. Each department was responsible
+for checking the fire and saving
+some portion of the city.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “April 15, 1908.
+</p>
+
+<p>“Samuel D. Parker, Esq.,<br>
+
+“Fire Commissioner:</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“My Dear Mr. Parker,—I congratulate
+you and the officers and men of the
+Fire Department on behalf of the city for
+the magnificent work done in the Chelsea
+and East Boston fires on Sunday last.</p>
+
+<p>“The latter district owes its preservation
+to the courage and ability of the
+Fire Department of the city of Boston.</p>
+
+<p>“Only those familiar with the conditions
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">92</span>can appreciate how magnificently
+the work was handled.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me add my personal thanks and
+congratulations to you and your men.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  <span style="margin-right: 4.5em;">“Yours very truly,</span><br>
+  “<span class="smcap">G. A. Hibbard</span>, Mayor.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="094" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/094.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908</p>
+
+    THE EIGHTH COMPANY, COAST ARTILLERY, KEEPING BACK THE CROWD IN WINNISIMMET SQUARE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">93</span></p>
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">
+    CHAPTER IX
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   THE MILITIA</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Troops arrived all night on April 12,
+coming from different parts of the State.
+They were quartered in the electric cars
+stalled in Chelsea Square, in Grand Army
+Hall, in stores, and in fact, about any
+place where they happened to be. It
+mattered little, as very few men got a
+chance to sleep. Headquarters were established
+at the Police Station in the
+Court House, Colonel Charles P. Nutter
+taking command, being relieved later
+by Colonel E. Leroy Sweetser. A very
+heavy sentry detail was swung out during
+the night, forming a complete cordon
+around the burned area and the houses on
+the edge, which were only partly destroyed.
+Each man had ten rounds of
+ball cartridges issued him with instructions
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">94</span>to use them if his challenge was
+unheeded. Orders had been issued to
+pass no one in or out of the burned area
+during the night, but early in the morning
+orders were given to admit those with
+passes.</p>
+
+<p>The following is the first general order
+issued in Chelsea:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “Headquarters Provisional Battalion,<br>
+  Chelsea, Mass, April 13, 1908.
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">
+  “General Orders No. 1:
+</p>
+
+<p>“1. The headquarters of this Battalion
+will be at police headquarters until
+further orders.</p>
+
+<p>“2. Officers will be held strictly accountable
+for the safety of all private
+property within their districts, and will
+allow no one to disturb or carry away
+any private property from the ruins
+without a permit signed by Herbert W.
+Stebbins, or upon orders from the proper
+authorities.</p>
+
+<p>“3. Enlisted men will not leave the
+street to trespass upon private property,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">95</span>nor will they touch any private property,
+except to save it from loss, and then turn
+it over at once to their company commanders.
+Sentinels will treat all persons
+courteously in enforcing orders.</p>
+
+<p>“4. All officers and men will cooperate
+and assist the members of the city
+government, the police department, and
+authorized committees in their work.</p>
+
+<p>“5. Lieutenant Williams, assistant surgeon,
+Eighth Infantry, will make an inspection
+of the sanitary conditions within
+the city limits and report to these headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>“6. Captain Whitney, Fifth Infantry,
+will inspect and report all walls that are
+unsafe within the burnt district.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “By order of Colonel Sweetser,<br>
+<br>
+  <span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">“<span class="smcap">Harry F. Brown</span>,</span><br>
+  “First Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant,<br>
+  <span style="margin-right: 2.0em;">“Acting Adjutant.”</span>
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>There were three forms of passes issued,
+a blue one, which admitted to the lines,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">96</span>which was taken up; a white one, which
+permitted the bearer to search among the
+ruins; and a special one, allowing the
+holder to open a safe, which read as follows:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="center">
+  “Permit to Enter upon Property.<br>
+  Good for this day only
+</p>
+
+<p>—— has permission to enter upon
+—— Street, previously occupied by
+him, to examine premises, open safe and
+remove property belonging to him, between
+the hours of 8 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> and 5 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span>,——April
+—, 1908.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “<span class="smcap">Gaspar G. Shannon</span>,<br>
+  “Chief of Police.
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>“Use of Explosives Forbidden.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="096" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/096.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr">COPYRIGHT, JUDGE CO., 1908</p>
+
+    TROOP A, FIRST SQUADRON OF CAVALRY
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Many who had fled from the city when
+their homes were burned were unable
+to get back without much trouble, having
+first to satisfy guards on Chelsea Bridge
+and the highways leading to Everett
+and Revere that they had a right to be
+in the city. After they got through
+these outposts they could not get into
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">97</span>the burned area without a pass from
+Colonel Nutter, who was in command.
+During the early hours hundreds of residents
+on the farther side of the fire desired
+to go to Boston and other places
+to work, but could not do so on account
+of the cordon of soldiers, until arrangements
+were made to gather the people
+together in large groups and march them
+through.</p>
+
+<p>The police willingly gave in to the
+soldiers, and in no instance did a clash
+occur. Every one was stopped at the
+picket line and only firemen, policemen,
+and people with passes got by. Many
+people were indignant when stopped, and
+commenced to abuse the soldiers, but
+as a rule the reply, “Those are the
+orders, sir,” brought a smile and, “Well,
+I’m not blaming you.”</p>
+
+<p>An incident of the military patrol of the
+ruins was an encounter between the sentries
+and a gang of one hundred and fifty
+Italian laborers, who failed to comprehend
+the fact that they could not pass the guard
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">98</span>lines without permits, although they
+had been sent to work on the ruins. The
+gang tried to rush the lines and a
+hand-to-hand tussle followed, in which
+some of the workmen were roughly
+handled.</p>
+
+<p>Another incident occurred on Broadway.
+A soldier ordered a chauffeur to
+stop his machine. The man replied in
+an insulting manner and continued on
+his way. He was placed under arrest
+and turned over to the civil authorities.
+Judge Bossom sentenced him to six
+months in the House of Correction,
+stating that his conduct was reprehensible,
+and that at such a time every one
+should obey orders of those in charge
+and do everything in his power to assist.</p>
+
+<p>There is no question that the militia
+did its duty; the men worked hard, with
+practically no sleep and little food for
+days. They not only did guard duty,
+but helped in the relief work, and volunteered
+for many other duties.</p>
+
+<p>Soldiers were detailed to search among
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">99</span>the ruins for bodies; and when one was
+found, a guard was placed over it and
+was obliged to stay there, sometimes
+for hours, until the coroner could be
+found. They kept people away from
+the threatening walls and guarded what
+property was left. They acted as messengers
+and stood for six to eight hours
+at a stretch on guard. The rations consisted
+of whatever could be got together,
+always coffee and bread, with sometimes
+canned meats or beans, which was
+very meager compared to the regulation
+field ration.</p>
+
+<p>It was unjust and contemptible for a
+certain Boston paper to come out with
+big headlines to the effect that the soldiers
+were looting, and the fact that
+this paper made an editorial apology
+the next day does not excuse the city
+editor for allowing it to get in. In the
+first place the soldiers had no time for
+looting, and in the second there was
+nothing of value left to steal. The following
+article taken from “Practical
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">100</span>Politics” expresses the writer’s feelings
+very well:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“Whoever framed up the story that
+there was looting by the soldiers placed
+to guard people’s property as well as the
+lives of the community, did the soldier
+boys a great wrong, for the story went
+broadcast all over the country, to the
+effect that they had been guilty of the
+most heinous offense, either in times of
+war or peace, that of looting the dead
+and the helpless people. The stories did
+a great injustice to the marines and
+jackies from the Navy Yard, as well as
+to the State forces, and that it was not
+true was very promptly shown by the
+governor and the adjutant general, both
+of whom nailed the story before it had
+traveled much. The harm was done
+when the press associations, accepting
+it as a bonafide piece of news, sent it to
+all parts of the world. One of the odd
+things about the accusation is that two
+members of the Massachusetts Legislature,
+Senator Tilton S. Bell and Representative
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">101</span>J. B. Ferber, were among the
+soldiers on guard at Chelsea during the
+critical times, and they did not see or
+hear of any looting.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Editorials like the following appeared
+in many papers through the State:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“We have no hesitation in saying
+that the charge of looting made against
+the militia on duty in Chelsea is wholly
+unwarranted, and that even were some
+individual member of our military force
+guilty of such unsoldierly conduct, his
+offense is no excuse for wholesale accusations
+against the body. The troops,
+national and State, on duty in the burnt
+district have been doing splendid work;
+everybody who has watched their course
+has spoken in the highest terms of their
+care, courtesy, vigilance, and soldierly
+bearing; and their services have been
+of great value to the afflicted community
+in preserving peace and property and
+facilitating the humanitarian work the
+occasion demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“We have every confidence in the discipline,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">102</span>efficiency, integrity, and fidelity
+to duty of our troops; and if any individual
+militiaman has deflected from the
+standards of conduct expected and enforced,
+we may confidently count on his
+punishment for his offense and his expulsion
+from the body. Accusations
+against our troops are in bad taste and
+should not be indulged in unless backed
+by the best evidence.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Upon the withdrawal of the State
+troops from Chelsea, Mayor Beck sent
+the following letter to Adjutant General
+Brigham:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“William M. Brigham, Adjutant General:</p>
+
+<p>“Dear Sir,—As mayor of the city of
+Chelsea, I desire to tender this official
+recognition of the prompt, efficient, and
+valuable services rendered by the militia
+under your command, detailed to
+preserve order and protect life and property
+in Chelsea during and since the
+great conflagration.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">103</span></p>
+
+<p>“Order was maintained by your officers
+and troops under the most trying
+circumstances, and no just criticism of
+their conduct, other than that which is
+creditable, can exist.</p>
+
+<p>“I feel especially grateful to both
+Colonel Charles P. Nutter and Colonel
+E. Leroy Sweetser for their harmonious
+cooperation with the civil authorities
+during this period.</p>
+
+<p>“My grateful acknowledgment of obligation
+is also due to the rank and file
+of each company, including the Fifth
+Company, C. A. C., a large number of
+which, although their entire possessions
+were lost and their families rendered
+homeless by the fire, responded faithfully
+to the high call of military duty
+without regard to their personal interests.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  <span style="margin-right: 7.5em;">“Respectfully yours,</span><br>
+  “<span class="smcap">John E. Beck</span>, Mayor.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="102" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/102.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    GRANITE CRUMBLED TO GRAVEL UNDER THE HEAT
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">104</span></p>
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">
+    CHAPTER X
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>Before the fire was extinguished messages
+offering aid and sympathy began
+to pour in. One of the first was a telegraphic
+despatch from President Roosevelt
+as follows:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p>“Mayor John E. Beck, Chelsea, Mass.</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>“In company with all our people, I
+am inexpressibly shocked at the tragedy
+that has befallen Chelsea. Is there anything
+the national government can do,
+in connection with the Navy Yard or
+with either the military or naval establishments
+at Boston, which will be of
+service?</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “<span class="smcap">Theodore Roosevelt.</span>”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>to which Mayor Beck by the light of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">105</span>fire wrote the following despatch in
+reply:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p>
+  “President Roosevelt,<br>
+  Washington, D. C.
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“Your telegram of sympathy and tender
+of service is deeply appreciated by
+our people. The marines from the Navy
+Yard have done yeoman service for us.
+In the hour of this sad affliction the kind
+words of our sister cities and States have
+steeled our arm. We will arise from the
+ashes and build a new city that will show
+to the world the courage and fortitude
+of the citizens of Chelsea. Respectfully,</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “<span class="smcap">John E. Beck</span>, Mayor.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The Massachusetts senators sent the
+following:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p>“John E. Beck, Mayor, Chelsea, Mass.</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>“We have learned with deep regret of
+the great misfortune which has befallen
+Chelsea. If there is anything we can do
+to aid you, please let us know at once.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  <span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">(Signed) “<span class="smcap">Henry Cabot Lodge.</span></span><br>
+  “<span class="smcap">Winthrop Murray Crane.</span>”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">106</span></p>
+
+<p>Congressman Roberts of Chelsea telegraphed:
+“Do you want me to introduce
+a resolution in Congress for blankets?”</p>
+
+<p>Acting Governor Draper went to Chelsea
+as soon as he learned of the catastrophe,
+and offered the aid and sympathy
+of the State.</p>
+
+<p>A cable was received at the State
+House from the Irish National Party as
+follows:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “Dublin, Ireland, April 13, 1908.<br>
+  <span style="margin-right: 16.0em;">“To Governor, State House,</span><br>
+  <span style="margin-right: 20.5em;">Boston, Mass.</span>
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“Irish National Party deeply sympathize
+with Boston in tragic calamity.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “(Signed) <span class="smcap">Redmond</span>.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>to which the governor replied:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “April 14, 1908.
+</p>
+<p>“Hon. John E. Redmond, M. P.,
+Dublin, Ireland.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“Thanks for expression of sympathy.
+While great loss of property and much
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">107</span>suffering, our people have situation well
+in hand.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “(Signed) <span class="smcap">Draper</span>, Acting Governor.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The following despatch was sent to
+Mayor Beck immediately after a hurried
+meeting of the citizens of Brookline
+had been called:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“In behalf of the town of Brookline, I
+send to you our deepest sympathy for the
+calamity which has come to your city.</p>
+
+<p>“I authorize you to draw on the town
+of Brookline now for the sum of $1000,
+and further steps will be taken to aid you
+financially. I trust you will call upon
+me at the Brookline Town Hall if there is
+any other assistance which our citizens
+can render you at the present moment.
+We stand ready to help you in whatever
+way we can.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  <span style="margin-right: 11.0em;">“Respectfully yours,</span><br>
+  <span style="margin-right: 6.5em;">“<span class="smcap">William Craig</span>,</span><br>
+  “Chairman Board of Selectmen.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>General Booth of the Salvation Army
+cabled from London as follows:—</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">108</span></p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“Mayor, Chelsea: I mourn with you
+in this calamity. Sympathize with sufferers
+and pray that God may be with
+them and comfort them.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “<span class="smcap">William Booth.</span>”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Hundreds of similar messages were received
+from all parts of this country and
+abroad, and the two telegraph stations,
+hurriedly established, one on Charlestown
+Bridge, and the other at the Boston
+and Maine railroad station, were kept
+busy. Hundreds of telegrams and
+cables were received which could not be
+delivered as the people to whom they had
+been addressed had been burned out and
+in many cases had left the city.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="108" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/108.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    THE COURT HOUSE, USED AS CITY HALL AFTER THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">109</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">
+    CHAPTER XI
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   THE RELIEF WORK</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>The work of relief started almost before
+the flames of the first section destroyed
+had died away. Acting Governor
+Draper, who had arrived in Chelsea
+about the middle of the afternoon, at
+once realized the immediate need of assistance,
+turned about and had his chauffeur
+take him speedily to his office at the
+State House. Here he got into communication
+with the City Hall, and a meeting
+was arranged at the mayor’s office.
+Mayor Hibbard, who was at his summer
+home in Provincetown, arrived about six
+o’clock. The first move was to get hospital
+service to the city and all available
+doctors, nurses, and ambulances were
+sent to Chelsea.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">110</span></p>
+
+<p>Messengers were despatched to bring
+many prominent citizens to a citizens’
+meeting, and among the first to arrive
+was Major Henry L. Higginson of the
+firm of Lee, Higginson &amp; Company, who
+at once offered all immediate financial
+assistance necessary. Provisions for the
+refugees were the first necessity, and the
+authorities in Boston and Chelsea combined
+to secure them. Bakers, provision
+dealers, and restaurant keepers readily
+volunteered to furnish them, and what is
+more important, had them ready and
+delivered in Chelsea by midnight.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, the residents of Chelsea
+had not been idle. While the fire was at
+its height, J. Travis Roberts went to the
+junction of County Road and the Boulevard,
+and stopped every motor car that
+came along, courteously requesting the
+drivers to loan their cars to the city. In
+a very short time about fifty cars had been
+secured, and their help was of great
+value.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Charles N. Cutler organized a rescue
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">111</span>corps with motor cars to take the
+needy people to the First Congregational
+Church on County Road, where Mrs.
+Henry A. Tenney had charge, and was
+assisted by Mr. Herbert Slade, Miss Florence
+H. Mitchell, and many others. H. P.
+McManus of the firm of Atwood &amp; McManus
+summoned all his teamsters and
+got out ten double wagons, which he
+ordered into the burning district and put
+at the disposal of the fleeing population.
+In this way a great many families saved
+most of their belongings. He then secured
+ten bushels of sandwiches to feed
+the fire fighters. All about the edge of
+the fire luncheons were to be had for the
+asking. Mr. R. H. Grant made and
+served many gallons of coffee. Dr.
+Charles Reeds went through the burning
+district near his home, handing out food
+to the soldiers and firemen. Every
+namable kind of relief sprang into action,
+and the organized Relief Committee was
+relieved of a large proportion of its duty.
+The National, American, and Adams
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">112</span>Express companies put their teams at
+the disposal of the Relief Committee and
+offered to transport all relief supplies free.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Albert Tenney, manager of the
+Suburban Electric Company of Malden,
+placed five automobiles at the disposal of
+the committee, and ran one himself for
+several days.</p>
+
+<p>The Chelsea Relief Committee, which
+was selected early in the evening, set up
+headquarters in the High School building
+just outside the fire lines. The first
+step was to open an information bureau,
+where the homeless were directed to
+churches and other places open to receive
+them, and where the missing could
+report and the lost get in touch with
+their friends.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning there were organized
+a bureau of general information,
+a committee for medical relief, and a
+housing and employment bureau. The
+insurance companies also established a
+bureau of information. In the basement
+a bakery and lunch counter was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">113</span>started, and great four-horse loads of
+food were delivered at one door and
+distributed at another.</p>
+
+<p>The Scenic Temple on Second Street,
+at the other end of the city, was opened
+as a dispensary distributing station, in
+charge of George H. Willie and George
+H. Dunham. Other places of refuge were
+the Salvation Army Barracks in Chelsea
+Square, Saint Luke’s Parsonage, the
+Cary Avenue Methodist Church, the First
+Congregational Church, the Soldiers’
+Home, and scores of other places where
+small numbers could be cared for.</p>
+
+<p>William E. McClintock, chairman of
+the Relief Committee, opened his headquarters
+at his residence opposite the
+High School. The Young Men’s Christian
+Association opened headquarters in
+the Review Club next door. Voting
+booths were erected on the club’s tennis
+court for the use of the city officials.
+Crowds gathered on the streets about
+these buildings, and it took a large detail
+of soldiers to keep things straightened
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">114</span>out. In the High School, lines of young
+women were busy making card catalogues
+of new addresses and telling the inquirers
+where their friends and relatives were to
+be found. In the rooms off the corridors,
+committees inquired into each case, and
+issued cards for food and clothing. At
+every entrance stood sentries to keep out
+the merely curious, and outside other
+soldiers kept the deserving crowd in a
+line, which for days reached far down the
+street and turned the corner. On the
+third floor were piled articles of clothing.
+At first there was naturally a great confusion,
+but soon the committee got things
+down to a system.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="114" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/114.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    <p class="attr"><span class="smcap">By Wm. J. McClintock</span></p>
+
+    THE BREAD LINE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>The Massachusetts Chelsea Relief Committee
+issued the following bulletin for
+information of fire sufferers and others:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>Executive Headquarters—Chamber
+of Commerce, Boston, Mass.; telephone,
+Fort Hill 1834. Edmund Billings, executive
+secretary, James J. Storrow,
+chairman.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">115</span></p>
+
+<p>Treasurers—Lee, Higginson &amp; Company,
+44 State Street, Boston, Mass.</p>
+
+<p>Chelsea Relief Committee—High
+School Building, Chelsea.</p>
+
+<p>Insurance Information—High School
+Building, Chelsea.</p>
+
+<p>Receiving Station—For supplies, except
+food, Keany Building, 251 Causeway
+Street, Boston; telephone, Richmond
+777.</p>
+
+<p>Registration for Lodgings—Municipal
+Building, 427 Blossom Street, Boston;
+telephone, Haymarket 427.</p>
+
+<p>Registration for Volunteer Workers—Room
+31, Charity Building, Chardon
+Street, Boston; telephone, Haymarket
+847.</p>
+
+<p>Automobiles—Owners who can loan
+their machines for use, telephone Room
+31, Charity Building; telephone, Haymarket
+847.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>All supplies (except food) should be
+sent to the Keany Square Building, 251
+Causeway Street, which is in charge of
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">116</span>Miss Katherine D. Loring of the Red
+Cross Society.</p>
+
+<p>From this point they are distributed
+on proper requisition to the various
+points where the refugees are located.</p>
+
+<p>There is a great necessity for underclothing,
+men’s, women’s and children’s,
+babies’ blankets, blankets, sheets, and
+pillow cases.</p>
+
+<p>They cannot use anything that is dirty
+or torn, nor clothing trimmed with lace,
+or evening dresses.</p>
+
+<p>Offers of food, milk, and other perishable
+supplies should be made to Mr. Billings,
+the executive secretary. Chamber
+of Commerce Building; telephone, Fort
+Hill 1834.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>All persons who had any fire insurance
+and who had a fire loss should apply to
+the Insurance Information Committee,
+High School Building, Chelsea, Room 11.</p>
+
+<p>The fire insurance companies have
+established this committee to furnish
+free information and advice to any person
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">117</span>who was insured and suffered any
+fire loss, whether their policies were
+burned or not.</p>
+
+<p>There is a great need for automobiles
+to be used in moving the sufferers and in
+distributing nurses, etc., both in Chelsea
+and Boston.</p>
+
+<p>Owners who are willing to loan their
+cars for such use should telephone to
+Room 31, Charity Building, Boston,
+Haymarket 847.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The following relief stations were established
+by the committee:—</p>
+
+<p>First District—High School Building,
+Crescent Avenue.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>Second District—Lincoln Hall, Second
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>Third District—First Congregational
+Church, County Road.</p>
+
+<p>Fourth District—880 Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>Fifth District—Spencer Avenue School
+Building.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>These were the only ones provided for
+by the committee in Chelsea, although
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">118</span>special interests looked out for their own
+people. Among them were the following
+stations:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>Central Congregational Church—Washington
+Avenue opposite Heard Street.</p>
+
+<p>Christian Science Church—Rear of 2
+County Road.</p>
+
+<p>St. Luke’s Episcopal Church—Parish
+house, Washington Avenue, corner Spruce
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>All denominations—Cary Avenue
+Methodist Church.</p>
+
+<p>Catholic—Old parochial residence,
+Crescent Avenue near Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>Labor Unions—195 Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>Elks—Corner Williams Street and
+Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>Eagles—Broadway, opposite Court
+House.</p>
+
+<p>Foresters and Knights of Columbus—66
+Williams Street.</p>
+
+<p>Red Men—Towne’s store, Broadway
+Square near Second Street.</p>
+
+<p>Hebrew Information Bureau—129
+Winnisimmet Street.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">119</span></p>
+
+<p>N. E. O. P.—371 Spruce Street.</p>
+
+<p>Masonic Bodies—136 Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>District Nurses—Lincoln Hall, Second
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>Knights of Columbus—Old Salvation
+Army building, Park Street.</p>
+
+<p>Christian Scientists—General distribution
+of relief supplies, carriage house
+rear of Wilson estate, Carter Street off
+Washington Avenue.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The regular relief stations in Chelsea in
+one day distributed the following supplies:—</p>
+
+
+<table class="autotable3">
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">
+FOOD
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Milk, gallons
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+400
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Coffee, gallons
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+600
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Canned meat, cases
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+75
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Canned soup, cases
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+100
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Canned salmon, cases
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+50
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Dry codfish, large boxes
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+50
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Coffee, pounds
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+100
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Condensed milk, cans
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+1,200
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Granulated sugar, pounds
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Eggs, dozens
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+1,000<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">120</span>
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdc" colspan="2">
+CLOTHING
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Boys’ suits
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Children’s underwear
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Men’s underwear
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Men’s trousers
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+250
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Men’s shoes, cases
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+25
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Women’s shoes, cases
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+25
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Women’s underwear, suits
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+100
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Hosiery, men and women, pairs
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+1,500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Blankets
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+1,000
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Mattresses
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+500
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tdl">
+Pillows
+</td>
+<td class="tdr">
+500
+</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="120" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/120.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    EFFECT OF FIRE ON GRANITE WALLS AND CURBING
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Among the Chelsea women who worked
+untiringly for days at the relief stations
+were: Mrs. Grace D. Bancroft, Miss
+Mary Keen, Miss Alice Dorkhann, Mrs.
+Charles Bourne, Mrs. Boyd Bartlett, Mrs.
+Andrew T. Hunnewell, Miss Ethel F.
+Bourne, Mrs. C. Willis Gould, Miss
+Edith Bush, Miss Margaret H. Ames
+(Naval Hospital), Miss Agnes Peck, Mrs.
+F. L. Avery, Miss Abbie Tarrell, Mrs.
+E. Frank Guild.</p>
+
+<p>It was found after the second day that
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">121</span>many applicants who crowded into the
+relief stations were simply taking bundles
+of clothing and supplies across to Boston
+and selling them for what they would
+bring. It was learned that some of
+these people did not live in Chelsea at
+all, being impostors from various quarters,
+who were fraudulently obtaining
+places in the relief line, and it was found
+absolutely necessary to have some kind
+of personal identification. The committee,
+therefore, adopted the following
+identification card:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="center">SAVE TIME FOR YOURSELF</p>
+
+<p>and help the committee by having the
+attached card of identification filled out
+and signed by your pastor, doctor, or
+some business or professional man known
+to the committee. With the identification
+card you will be served without
+delay. Without the identification card
+you will go to Room — and be specially
+examined.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">122</span></p>
+
+<p>Below is a blank, as follows:—</p>
+
+<p>I am personally acquainted with
+—— of No. — —— Street, and
+know that he is worthy of aid. I recommend
+that he be given ——, etc.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>An average of twelve thousand people
+a day were fed at the various relief stations
+for weeks. H.P. Hood &amp; Son sent
+wagon loads of fine milk free of charge.
+Henry Siegel wired his Boston manager
+to establish immediately a tent for the
+free distribution of soup, sandwiches, and
+coffee, and the instructions were carried
+out. A. Shuman sent over one thousand
+dollars’ worth of wearing apparel.</p>
+
+<p>A relief station was established at the
+Keany Square Building in Boston and
+was under the charge of Miss
+Katherine Loring, who was assisted by
+Miss Eleanor Sears, Miss Higginson, Miss
+Hunnewell, Miss Olive Ames, Mrs. Arthur
+D. Cook, Miss Dorothy Forbes, and other
+young society leaders of Boston. A
+detachment of ten signal corps men were
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">123</span>placed here under command of Lieutenant
+R. E. Blecher to guard the place
+and help sort goods sent in.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Herbert Norton, chairman of the
+Chelsea License Commission, immediately
+canceled all licenses which had been
+issued in Chelsea and Police Commissioner
+O’Meara of Boston issued the
+following order the night of the fire:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  <span style="margin-right: 0.5em;">“City of Boston, Police Department.</span><br>
+  “April 12, 1908.
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>“Under the authority conferred upon
+me by sec. 19, chap. 291, acts of 1906, I
+hereby suspend and make inoperative
+until further notice all licenses to sell
+intoxicating liquors in police division 7
+(East Boston) and in that part of police
+division 15 (Charlestown) lying between
+Mystic and Charles rivers and the harbor
+on the north and east and southwest
+and a line on the west drawn through
+Everett Street, extended to Mystic River,
+Concord Street, Monument Square, Pleasant
+and Devens streets, Rutherford Avenue
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">124</span>and Arrow Street, extended to the
+water, including both sides of said streets,
+square, and avenue.</p>
+
+<p>“Sec. 19 provides further that:—</p>
+
+<p>“Any licensee who personally or by
+his servants or agents sells, furnishes, or
+delivers any intoxicating liquors during
+such suspension shall be punished by a
+fine of $200 for said offense, and his
+license shall become forfeited.</p>
+
+<p>“This suspension will be revoked as
+soon as it becomes evident that public
+safety and order in the parts of the city
+specified no longer require it.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “(Signed) <span class="smcap">Stephen O’Meara</span>,<br>
+  <span style="margin-right: 2.0em;">“Police Commissioner of the City of Boston.”</span>
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Nearly two hundred refugees were sent
+to the South Armory, and housed in the
+quarters of Battery A, Field Artillery.
+Armorer George Thorpe worked untiringly
+for their comfort. The Mellin’s
+Food Company sent to Chelsea twenty-five
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">125</span>cases of malted milk, the National
+Biscuit Company two hundred boxes of
+Uneeda biscuits. The Horace Memorial
+Church on Webster Avenue took care of
+two hundred people. The Magee Furnace
+Company, the Revere Rubber Company,
+the Forbes Lithograph Company,
+and many other big manufacturing plants,
+established relief stations for their own
+employees.</p>
+
+<p>The rector of Saint Rose Catholic
+Church issued the following notice:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “Chelsea, April 15, 1908.
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“The parish is fully covered by insurance
+and has no need of assistance, and
+has a glorious future before it. We have
+no need to think of that now. Provision
+will be made for masses and everything
+of that kind.</p>
+
+<p>“What we are wholly intent on now is
+the relief of the poor. We have three
+bureaus of supplies open day and night,
+and all may come for relief. All who are
+in the city, whether of our faith or not,
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">126</span>will be gladly welcomed. We will supply
+them with food and clothing, and
+will engage and furnish tenements in
+Boston and elsewhere. We beg Chelsea
+people who have left the city, and are
+temporarily with friends, but who cannot
+stay long where they are, to come
+and let us provide for them.</p>
+
+<p>“Our depots are at the Spencer Avenue
+Catholic school, at the old parochial residence,
+Broadway and Crescent Avenue,
+and at the corner of Williams and Broadway.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p class="right">
+  “<span class="smcap">Thomas J. Cusick</span>, Rector.”
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>The three banks which were destroyed
+secured temporary quarters in a building
+near the Court House, and inside of
+twenty-four hours had their securities
+out of the ruins, and were able to pay
+depositors who needed money.</p>
+
+<p>The morning after the fire the Chelsea
+Post-office opened temporary quarters
+in a pool room on Park Street. All mail
+that was in the burned Post-office was
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">127</span>saved by heroic work of the department,
+and three deliveries were made during
+the day following the fire, although the
+majority of people to whom mail was
+addressed could not be found.</p>
+
+<p>Congressman Roberts at once introduced
+a bill in the House of Representatives
+appropriating $125,000 to provide
+for a new building.</p>
+
+<p>Furniture companies and other business
+concerns took immediate measures
+to relieve their patrons. Instalment
+houses announced that their customers
+having unsettled accounts need not
+worry about payment, as all goods sold
+were insured.</p>
+
+<p>Major Walter E. Lombard made an
+appeal to the military organizations
+throughout the State for funds to
+relieve the members of the Fifth Company,
+Coast Artillery Corps, whose Armory
+had been destroyed, and who had
+lost, not only their clothes, but in thirty-five
+cases their homes. Over $1500 was
+contributed to this fund.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">128</span></p>
+
+<p>The labor unions of Boston were
+prompt in coming to the aid of their
+members who suffered in the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Hundreds of loaves of bread came
+over in the wagons of Ferguson, Fox, and
+other bakers, while Cobb, Bates &amp; Yerxa
+and S. S. Pierce &amp; Company had great
+four-horse wagons early on the scene,
+loaded with provisions of all sorts. Supplies
+piled in from all sides. The Keany
+Square Relief Station looked like a great
+warehouse. In one day the following
+gifts were acknowledged by this station:—</p>
+
+<p>A carload of clothing from the Phillips
+Brooks House, a carload of suits from
+the Brookline relief committee, a box of
+clothing from Mrs. Kennison, gifts from
+the First Presbyterian Church on Columbus
+Avenue, clothing from boys of Phillips
+School, gifts from Shepard, Norwell &amp;
+Company, gifts from C. F. Hovey &amp; Company,
+an express load of packages from
+the city of Somerville, gifts from the
+King’s Daughters of Cambridge, twelve
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">129</span>barrels of gifts from the Salem Thought
+and Work Club, gifts from W. S. Butler,
+fifteen mattresses from the New York
+Mattress Company, three boxes of goods
+from the Jordan Marsh Company, goods
+from James A. Houston &amp; Company,
+goods from W. H. Brine &amp; Company,
+goods from High School at Dorchester
+Heights, goods from the Friendly Society
+of the South Congregational Church,
+goods from the Concord Woman’s Club,
+one hundred and seven dozen pairs of
+stockings from the Star Theater Company,
+goods from the Women’s Guild of
+the Church of the Good Shepherd, and
+gifts from G. B. H. Macomber.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="128over" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/128over.jpg" alt="">
+<img class="w100" src="images/128under.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    THE SHURTLEFF SCHOOL BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRE
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>The spirit the citizens themselves
+showed, compelled admiration from every
+outsider. They were courageous, to say
+the least, and the general sentiment
+among them was not downheartedness,
+but determination to relieve the suffering
+at once, and then to reestablish the
+municipality on a better basis than
+formerly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">130</span></p>
+
+<p>The people fully appreciated the generosity
+shown them throughout the
+State, and more than one, big, strong,
+able-bodied man felt a lump come into
+his throat when he read of and saw the
+many things that were being done by
+strangers outside of the city for its
+relief.</p>
+
+<p>Two days after the fire the city had
+hundreds of unemployed at work clearing
+the streets. Judge Bossom announced
+that until conditions were relieved he
+would deal stringently with drunkards
+and other law breakers, and suiting his
+actions to his words, gave four men arrested
+the night after the fire the full
+penalty allowed by the law.</p>
+
+<p>The prompt and systematic organization
+for relief gave assurance to the people
+of the State that their funds would
+be wisely directed in relieving the needs
+of the people and resulted in private
+purses being opened in a most generous
+and liberal way.</p>
+
+<p>Lee, Higginson &amp; Company received
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">131</span>sums ranging from a few dollars up to
+several thousand, aggregating in the
+neighborhood of $350,000.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of all that was done in the city
+there was not room for all, and the surrounding
+towns and cities made Chelsea’s
+needs their own. The Revere Town Hall
+was thrown open to the refugees, the
+Revere Women’s Club taking care of
+one hundred and fifty at night and feeding
+more during the day.</p>
+
+<p>In Malden Saint Paul’s Episcopal
+Church, the First Baptist Church, the
+Congregational, the Methodist, and the
+Catholic churches were thrown open to
+the needy.</p>
+
+<p>Everett, Medford, and Winthrop also
+took care of many of the destitute. The
+Civil Service House in Boston was opened
+from the beginning of the trouble, and
+most of the lost children were sent there.
+The Boston English High School opened
+its doors and took care of about one
+hundred refugees as long as was necessary.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">132</span></p>
+
+<p>A monster dramatic entertainment
+was held at the Boston Theater, and all
+the actors playing in Boston at the time
+gave their services. The entire proceeds
+were given to the relief fund. The best
+seats sold at large premiums, and every
+seat and all standing room was taken.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Pelbouth of the Dennison House,
+offered the service of women connected
+with that institution; the Wayfarers’
+Lodge accommodated two hundred men;
+the Bay State House on Hanover Street
+took care of from thirty to forty; the
+Parker Memorial on Appleton Street offered
+the use of its rooms; H. F. Denny of
+the Lakeshore Home, Sharon, took care
+of fifty women and children; Sister
+Gabriel of the home for Destitute Children
+offered shelter for children left
+homeless; about five hundred people
+found shelter at the Salvation Army
+Palace; the Saint James Hotel, Bowdoin
+Square, Boston, offered to take care of a
+number; the Massachusetts General Hospital
+offered employment to five men and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">133</span>agreed to take twenty to thirty sick
+people and supply nurses.</p>
+
+<p>The Animal Rescue League sent men
+to Chelsea to look out for the homeless
+dogs and cats in the burned district.
+Those suffering from injuries were at
+once chloroformed; the others were taken
+to the Carver Street Home and held for
+owners to claim.</p>
+
+<p>Help of every description was offered
+to man and beast. It came quickly and
+in abundance without being called for;
+and those who wondered during the fire
+if there was a God, soon found him in the
+hearts of the people of the Commonwealth.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp53" id="134" style="max-width: 75.0em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/134.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    MAP SHOWING BURNED DISTRICT
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">134</span></p>
+  <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">
+    CHAPTER XII
+    <br>
+ <span class="sm">   CHELSEA’S FUTURE</span>
+  </h2>
+</div>
+
+
+<p>In spite of the fact that no municipality
+in the State ever had such a blow
+as Chelsea, which lost millions of taxable
+property and fully one third of its
+population, the city has a glorious future
+before it. Of this there is no doubt. It
+will be rebuilt, bigger and better in
+every way. It will be a different kind
+of a city, however. The conservative
+people, who have lived in their old
+houses year after year, although the
+environment about them had changed,
+will in many cases rebuild in different
+sections of the town. The old style of
+architecture will give way to the new.
+There will be a relocation of schools and
+churches, and the City Hall and other
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">135</span>public buildings will be more conveniently
+located. Streets will be widened
+and laid out differently in many cases,
+and the old houses and buildings which
+had been remodeled into stores along
+Broadway will be replaced by fine business
+blocks of brick and concrete construction.
+Hardly had the smoke of
+the fire cleared away when the people
+turned their thoughts towards rebuilding.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="136" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/136.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    COUNTY ROAD, IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Chelsea is the home of many able and
+influential people, representing large manufacturing,
+banking, political, and professional
+interests. These men, who had
+their business and property interests at
+stake, decided that to secure confidence
+in the city and rapid rebuilding was
+impossible under the existing city charter,
+but that if a board of five competent
+men were appointed by the governor and
+given the power of the mayor, Board
+of Aldermen and School Committee for
+five years, it would be possible. The
+appointment of such a board or commission,
+it was believed, would cut out
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">136</span>all political strife. A bill was therefore
+introduced and at a hearing held
+on April 28 at the State House nearly
+all the prominent citizens were present.
+As a matter of record the following
+speeches are of interest, showing, as they
+do, the general feeling of the people.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb">
+
+<p>Mayor John E. Beck spoke as follows:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“We have come to the conclusion,
+regardless of everything else in the city,
+that legislation is needed to promote the
+welfare and future of our city. Nearly
+five hundred acres have been destroyed
+by the fire, and now we are confronted
+with the task of rebuilding the city.
+We have agreed, I believe, in the city
+of Chelsea, almost to a man, that if
+we have Chelsea’s future at heart, and
+we believe that her future must be protected,
+that legislation of this kind is
+needed. Political ambition and other
+things of that nature must be eliminated.
+We have come to you as a unit from
+the city of Chelsea, to ask you gentlemen
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">137</span>of the committee to give us this
+bill. It will then be in the hands of
+the governor to appoint whom he sees
+fit, citizens, as the members of that
+commission, so long as they are of our
+own citizenship. We can then bring
+back the confidence that is desired, and
+build a more beautiful and substantial
+Chelsea than before. The mayor or
+Board of Aldermen lack the power to
+do what is now needed to accomplish
+this work. The work of reconstruction
+must be carried on by a body, independent
+in action, and as a citizen, I wish
+to further those things which are of essential
+benefit to every inhabitant of our
+city. This cannot be accomplished by
+politics. This is my first year as mayor;
+I am willing to sacrifice that and all my
+own political ambitions, that our city
+may prosper in this year of progress and
+take its place among the leading cities
+of the Commonwealth. A bill of this
+nature carries with it the one thought,
+that we must have the best men possible;
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">138</span>in order to restore confidence and thus
+secure results which will insure the future
+and best interest of the city.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Congressman Ernest W. Roberts said:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“The little I have to say will be as
+a citizen of Chelsea, a resident of that
+municipality for over forty years. Chelsea
+of to-day is not a city of wealthy
+people. You have heard from the city
+treasurer somewhat of the losses that
+we have sustained. If our city is to be
+rehabilitated, if we are to become once
+more a flourishing municipality, it is
+necessary in the first instance to restore
+confidence, both in the people now living
+in Chelsea and those who have been
+forced out of the city by reason of this
+fire, and what is much more important,
+the confidence in financial men in the
+future of that city. We have got to
+have large amounts of money poured
+into the city to rebuild it, and without
+that basic principle of confidence in the
+future of the city we are not going to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">139</span>get the money. I am not in favor of
+government by commission, but there
+are times and conditions when it seems
+to me that the commission is the only
+solution of the problem, and I firmly
+believe to-day that the question confronting
+the people of Chelsea can only
+be solved through a commission. Without
+a commission there would be a lack
+of continuity of government, so essential
+for the successful solution of the
+problem that now confronts the people
+of Chelsea. Through a commission a
+comprehensive scheme can be laid out
+and can be carried out, step by step.
+After its conclusion and when the commission
+has done that work, the government
+of the city can be turned back to
+its citizens under its present plan, or
+such other plan as the conditions then
+presented to the city and country may
+warrant. I am not here to argue for
+every line in the bill, but I am in favor
+of the basic idea of the bill, which is
+a commission which shall have a fixed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">140</span>tenure of office in order that there may
+be given to those men sufficient time
+to carry out their plans. If your bill
+does not provide enough time, you are
+not going to accomplish what we want,
+and that is the creation of confidence
+among monied men. I would suggest
+for the consideration of the committee
+one possible amendment, and that would
+be towards fixing a definite sum of
+money which the commission could raise
+by the issue of bonds. It would seem
+to be wise not to leave the matter entirely
+open in the bill as it is to-day.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="140" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/140.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    THE WENTWORTH RESIDENCE AMONG THE PLACES NOT DESTROYED
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>Hon. Willard Howland spoke as follows:—</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“I think there has been wiped out no
+single complete ward. The area of the
+city is fourteen hundred acres, and
+about four hundred and ninety have
+been devastated. That is a strip about
+six thousand feet long and one thousand
+feet wide. It is estimated that about
+$8,000,000 of its taxable property has
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">141</span>been destroyed. This bill comes before
+you as the result, I think, of a very
+great concerted action among all the
+citizens. Necessarily, some one must
+take the lead. Shortly after the fire,
+within a day or two, representatives of
+the financial interests and the insurance
+interests, manufacturing and other interests
+of the city, were called together by
+some few representative men and others
+and discussed the prospective needs of the
+city. The great problem is the one of
+to-morrow, and it was believed that inasmuch
+as a very large proportion of the
+property destroyed must be rebuilt by
+capital borrowed for the purpose, the
+essential was a large degree of confidence
+in the city’s ability to go forward and pay
+the debts which it would be obliged to
+incur, a confidence which it was necessary
+to reestablish, if it had been destroyed.
+Now it is true that the fire passed through
+largely the residential portion of the
+city, and on both sides of the fire-swept
+district remain many business enterprises.
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">142</span>I think there were thirty-seven
+of the various institutions represented
+in the consideration of this matter, for
+we have some manufacturers there who
+employ a thousand men and whose payroll
+amounts from $10,000 to $11,000
+a week. The people’s opportunity for
+employment has not been interrupted,
+but their homes have been destroyed.
+It is intended to rebuild them, but the
+constitutional limitations would prevent
+our asking for aid for the accomplishment
+of that purpose. That must come
+through the confidence of private investors
+in our ability to rebuild and
+maintain our city.</p>
+
+<p>“I think, however, it may be said that
+there are three propositions on which
+we agree absolutely, and that is, that
+there should be at this time a commission
+appointed to take charge of financial
+affairs and administer the government
+for the city. I think we are agreed
+that the commission should be appointed
+by the governor with the advice of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">143</span>council. There is necessity for the State’s
+assistance to be rendered in this emergency.
+We differ on some things which
+I think are not so essential as those
+things upon which we agree. I think
+that the appointment of the commission
+should be in the hands of the governor,
+without the limitation as made. We
+are not agreed as to the terms of the
+commission, that is, the length of time
+that it should serve. My own opinion
+of that is this, that we should appoint
+a commission for such term as should
+be sufficient to warrant the opinion that
+some policy could be defined and carried
+out. If the Legislature chooses at some
+future time to change the situation, they
+can do so. If any citizen desires a
+change, he, individually, or they, collectively,
+can come to the Legislature and
+ask for a change. If government by
+commission is to the satisfaction of all
+citizens, it may continue without further
+legislation. The necessity is apparent
+and I think nine tenths of the
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">144</span>citizens are in favor of the bill. You
+may feel that some of its elements should
+be changed or limitations made, and, of
+course, that is open to your consideration.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Others who appeared in favor of the
+commission were: Judge Albert D. Bossom,
+Ex-Mayor Carter, Ex-Mayor Mitchell,
+A. B. Atwood, Rev. R. Perry Bush,
+Hon. James Gould, William Martin, Hon.
+H. W. Pratt, Walter C. Mitchell, Ex-Mayor
+Strahan, Benjamin F. Dodge,
+Colonel Moses, Councilor Hoag, Charles
+G. Roberts, H. P. Sanborn, Royal S.
+Wentworth, C. Willis Gould, John Duncan,
+William Prescott, George H. Buck,
+Reinhard E. Bartels, Lorenzo D. Dixon,
+George H. Dunham, Hon. Eugene T.
+Endicott, George B. Guild, Ralph W. E.
+Hopper, Andrew T. Hunnewell, Geo. E.
+Morrill, Herbert L. Slade, Henry H.
+Stickney, Leonard A. Treat, Walter
+Whittelsey, and James S. Wilson.</p>
+
+<p>The hearing was practically unanimous
+in favor of the bill as presented.</p>
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">145</span></p>
+<p>The next day two other bills were put
+in, not greatly different, and after a
+tiresome delay a combination of the
+three was made up by the Committee
+on Metropolitan and City Affairs and
+put before the Legislature. The bill
+quickly passed the Senate, only to be
+held up in the House, but finally after
+a lengthy debate passed, to the general
+satisfaction of all those who had the
+best interest of Chelsea at heart.</p>
+
+<p>It is pretty safe to say that any commission
+the governor appoints will prohibit
+light and flimsy buildings. This
+will tend more than anything else to
+drive out the undesirable citizens.</p>
+
+<p>This commission will not be prejudiced
+for or against any particular ward,
+neither will the members have any constituents
+to care for to the detriment
+of the city.</p>
+
+<p>Although Chelsea has an attractive
+residential district, which was not destroyed
+by the fire, as can readily be
+seen by the illustrations, it never again
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">146</span>will be the residential city that it was
+fifty years ago, as the area is too limited
+and the shipping facilities make it too
+valuable for anything but manufacturing
+purposes.</p>
+
+<p>When the work of dredging, now in
+progress along the water front, is completed
+the city will have a mile of valuable
+wharf property, which is bound to
+bring more business into the city and
+to increase the valuation.</p>
+
+<p>The shoe factories, which employ thousands
+of people, were just outside the
+burned area, which was fortunate for
+the employees, who lost their homes.
+Most of these people carried some insurance
+and can rebuild as long as they
+are assured of employment.</p>
+
+<p>The Chelsea Trust Company proposes
+to erect a fine building entirely for their
+own use. The Chelsea Savings Bank
+has bought additional property, and in
+rebuilding will double the size of its
+former building.</p>
+
+<p>The city is assured of a hundred and
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">147</span>twenty-five thousand dollar Post-office.
+Ex-Mayor Strahan proposes to rebuild
+his beautiful home on Bellingham
+Hill.</p>
+
+<p>The Frost Hospital drew $35,000 insurance,
+and as much more is assured
+to build a new hospital.</p>
+
+<p>The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
+will certainly provide Chelsea with a
+fine armory to replace the one destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the churches will at once
+start to rebuild; and when the city gets
+its many buildings up, it will not be
+long before many new and desirable
+people will locate in Chelsea.</p>
+
+<p>An attempt is to be made to get the
+Metropolitan Park Commission to secure
+permission from the United States government
+and carry out the plans originally
+made during Mayor Pratt’s administration
+for a Marine Park along the
+Mystic River in front of the Naval
+Hospital.</p>
+
+<p>At that time John D. Long was Secretary
+of the Navy and was interested
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">148</span>to the extent of visiting Chelsea and
+inspecting the project. It was found,
+however, that the cost of filling would
+be too great.</p>
+
+<p>Since then the government has appropriated
+money to dredge the Mystic
+River, and the only expense would be
+to move the sea wall out several hundred
+feet to the low-tide mark. The
+dredging could then be done by the new
+hydraulic system, thus saving carting
+the dirt out to sea to be dumped.</p>
+
+<p>This improvement would not only
+greatly help Chelsea, but would make
+the hospital grounds and neighborhood
+much healthier.</p>
+
+<p>The residents of Chelsea are determined
+to drive out the Hebrew junk dealers,
+and the insurance companies are helping
+by canceling all policies on rag shops.
+The people of Chelsea have tolerated
+these undesirable citizens as long as
+they propose to; fire after fire of incendiary
+origin has taken place until there is
+no alternative,—they have got to go.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">149</span></p>
+
+<p>As terrible as the fire was, God saw
+it was for the best, and in a very few
+years the people are going to look at it
+in the same way. The new city which
+is about to spring up will take the place
+that the Chelsea of the sixties held,—excelled
+by none, and better than most.</p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="144" style="max-width: 40em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/144.jpg" alt="">
+  <figcaption>
+    RESIDENCE OF EX-MAYOR PRATT IN THE PRATTVILLE DISTRICT
+    ONE OF THE MANY ATTRACTIVE PLACES IN CHELSEA NOT BURNED
+  </figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+
+<p class="center">THE END</p>
+
+
+<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<div class="chapter transnote">
+<p class="center"> Transcriber’s Notes.</p>
+
+<p>
+Evident typographical and punctuation errors have been corrected silently.  Inconsistent spelling/hyphenation has been normalised.
+</p>
+
+<p>Half-title pages have been discarded.</p>
+
+<p>
+To improve text flow, illustrations have been relocated between paragraphs. Page number links in the List of Illustrations may no longer be relevant, but will link to the image location.
+</p>
+
+
+</div>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78708 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
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+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #78708
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78708)