USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > The burning of Chelsea 1908 > Part 4
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tions 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 Bat- talion will be at police headquarters until further orders.
"2. Officers will be held strictly ac- countable 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,
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nor will they touch any private property, except to save it from loss, and then turn it over at once to their company com- manders. Sentinels will treat all per- sons courteously in enforcing orders.
"4. All officers and men will cooper- ate and assist the members of the city government, the police department, and authorized committees in their work.
"5. Lieutenant Williams, assistantsur- geon, Eighth Infantry, will make an in- spection of the sanitary conditions within the city limits and report to these head- quarters.
"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 Ad- jutant,
"Acting Adjutant."
There were three forms of passes issued, a blue one, which admitted to the lines,
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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 fol- lows: -
"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, be- tween the hours of 8 A.M. and 5 P.M.,- April-, 1908.
"GASPAR G. SHANNON, "Chief of Police.
"Use of Explosives Forbidden."
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
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the burned area without a pass from Colonel Nutter, who was in command. During the early hours hundreds of resi- dents on the farther side of the fire de- sired to go to Boston and other places to work, but could not do so on account of the cordon of soldiers, until arrange- ments 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 sen- tries and a gang of one hundred and fifty Italian laborers, who failed to comprehend the fact that they could not pass the guard
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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 Broad- way. 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 reprehen- sible, 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 volun- teered for many other duties.
Soldiers were detailed to search among
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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 mes- sengers and stood for six to eight hours at a stretch on guard. The rations con- sisted of whatever could be got together, always coffee and bread, with some- times canned meats or beans, which was very meager compared to the regula- tion field ration.
It was unjust and contemptible for a certain Boston paper to come out with big headlines to the effect that the sol- diers 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 fol- lowing article taken from "Practical
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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 Legisla- ture, Senator Tilton S. Bell and Repre-
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sentative 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 accu- sations 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 dis-
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cipline, efficiency, integrity, and fidelity to duty of our troops; and if any indi- vidual militiaman has deflected from the standards of conduct expected and en- forced, we may confidently count on his punishment for his offense and his ex- pulsion 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 Gen- eral :
"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 mili- tia under your command, detailed to preserve order and protect life and prop- erty in Chelsea during and since the great conflagration.
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"Order was maintained by your offi- cers 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 ob- ligation 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 faith- fully to the high call of military duty without regard to their personal interests.
"Respectfully yours,
"JOHN E. BECK, Mayor."
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CHAPTER X
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY
Before the fire was extinguished mes- sages offering aid and sympathy began to pour in. One of the first was a tele- graphic despatch from President Roose- velt 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 any- thing the national government can do, in connection with the Navy Yard or with either the military or naval estab- lishments at Boston, which will be of service?
" THEODORE ROOSEVELT."
to which Mayor Beck by the light of the 104
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fire wrote the following despatch in reply : -
"President Roosevelt,
Washington, D. C .:
"Your telegram of sympathy and ten- der 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."
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Congressman Roberts of Chelsea tele- graphed: "Do you want me to intro- duce a resolution in Congress for blan- kets?"
Acting Governor Draper went to Chel- sea as soon as he learned of the catas- trophe, 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
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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: -
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"Mayor, Chelsea: I mourn with you in this calamity. Sympathize with suf- ferers and pray that God may be with them and comfort them.
"WILLIAM BOOTH."
Hundreds of similar messages were re- ceived from all parts of this country and abroad, and the two telegraph stations, hurriedly established, one on Charles- town 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.
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CHAPTER XI
THE RELIEF WORK
The work of relief started almost be- fore the flames of the first section de- stroyed had died away. Acting Gov- ernor Draper, who had arrived in Chelsea about the middle of the afternoon, at once realized the immediate need of as- sistance, turned about and had his chauf- feur take him speedily to his office at the State House. Here he got into commu- nication with the City Hall, and a meet- ing 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 hos- pital service to the city and all available doctors, nurses, and ambulances were sent to Chelsea.
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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 com- bined 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 Boule- vard, 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 res-
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cue 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 Flor- ence H. Mitchell, and many others. H. P. McManus of the firm of Atwood & Mc- Manus 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 se- cured 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
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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 build- ing 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 re- ceive them, and where the missing could report and the lost get in touch with their friends.
The next morning there were organ- ized 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 base- ment a bakery and lunch counter was
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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 head- quarters at his residence opposite the High School. The Young Men's Chris- tian 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
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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 con- fusion, but soon the committee got things down to a system.
The Massachusetts Chelsea Relief Com- mittee issued the following bulletin for information of fire sufferers and others: -
Executive Headquarters - Chamber of Commerce, Boston, Mass .; telephone, Fort Hill 1834. Edmund Billings, ex- ecutive secretary, James J. Storrow, chairman.
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Treasurers - Lee, Higginson & Com- pany, 44 State Street, Boston, Mass. Chelsea Relief Committee - High School Building, Chelsea.
Insurance Information - High School Building, Chelsea.
Receiving Station - For supplies, ex- cept food, Keany Building, 251 Cause- way Street, Boston; telephone, Rich- mond 777.
· Registration for Lodgings - Munici- pal 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, Hay- market 847.
All supplies (except food) should be sent to the Keany Square Building, 251 Causeway Street, which is in charge of
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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 under- clothing, 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 perish- able supplies should be made to Mr. Bill- ings, 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 estab ished this committee to furnish free information and advice to any per-
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son 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 estab- lished by the committee : -
First District-High School Building, Crescent Avenue.
Second District - Lincoln Hall, Sec- ond 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
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special interests looked out for their own people. Among them were the follow- ing stations: -
Central Congregational Church-Wash- ington 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.
olic - 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.
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N. E. O. P. - 371 Spruce Street.
Masonic Bodies - 136 Broadway.
District Nurses - Lincoln Hall, Sec- ond Street.
Knights of Columbus-Old Salva- tion Army building, Park Street.
Christian Scientists - General distri- bution 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 sup- plies : -
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
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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
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
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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 quar- ters, who were fraudulently obtaining places in the relief line, and it was found absolutely necessary to have some kind of personal identification. The commit- tee, 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 identifica- tion card you will be served without delay. Without the identification card you will go to Room - and be specially examined.
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Below is a blank, as follows :-
I am personally acquainted with of No. - Street, and know that he is worthy of aid. I rec- commend that he be given -, etc.
An average of twelve thousand people a day were fed at the various relief sta- tions 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 thou- sand dollars' worth of wearing apparel.
A relief station was established at the Keany Square Building in Boston and Miss was under the charge of 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
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placed here under command of Lieu- tenant R. E. Blecher to guard the place and help sort goods sent in.
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