Fire Guts L.A. Pacific Bldg., Threatens the Broadway Department Store

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Poly High Teacher Prepares an Unusual Aircraft in Bid to Win a $20,000 Prize

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Bread and Jam May Lead Kids to Booze, Lecturer Says

Story from the Los Angeles Express of November 16, 1908; graphic from L.A. Fire Department, here, where you will find more photos of the fire.
The Broadway Department Store is the structure to the left of the gutted Los Angeles Pacific Building.

FIRE DESTROYING L.A.P. BUILDING

Flames broke out in the basement of the Los Angeles Pacific building at 314 W. Fourth St., adjoining the Broadway Department Store, at 2 o’clock this afternoon and threatened serious loss. . . .

The fire is believed to have had its origin in the rear of the basement, under the Sunset Bakery, at 320 W. 4th St. . . .

Fourth Street from Broadway to Hill was speedily roped off to keep the crowds back, and Broadway . . . became a mass of humanity within a few minutes.

. . . great volumes of smoke could be seen rolling up over the Broadway Department Store, creating the impression that it was that great store which was burning. . . .

So quickly did the flames spread in the

Fifteen girls and women were taken from the windows of the second floor with ladders.

At 2:30 the fire had become so dangerous that it was thought best to empty the Broadway Department Store, which adjoins the burning building on the east. . . .

There was great confusion in the . . . store, the girls being rushed out of offices in the rear of the building, which was threatened by the fire and full of smoke.

The men clerks were of great assistance, carrying out a good portion of the books

The Broadway clerks took the fire apparatus of that establishment and used it valiantly to help save the adjoining building.

The building was erected about eight years ago. It is owned by Clark & Sherman. General Sherman said that about $100,000 was invested in the building and, while he is not able to state the exact amount of insurance, his opinion is that his policies cover half the value.

The clouds of smoke that rolled from the building did not begin to compare in size with the cloud of spectators which sought to reach the scene of the fire. . . .

From the Los Angeles Express of November 3, 1908.
LOS ANGELES AERONAUT SEEKS $20,000 PRIZE

That goal of every aeronaut’s ambition — the $20,000 [Andre] Michelin prize is the trophy for which Prof. J[erome] S[lough] Zerbe of Los Angeles will strive with his airship upon which he is putting the finishing touches at Bimini Baths.

To capture this prize, he must establish a new record for the longest single sustained flight, and Professor Zerbe is confident that he will accomplish this feat when he airship commences to soar. . . .

The money will be paid to the person making the longest flight between Jan. 1, 1908, and Jan. 1, 1909. . . .

So far this year the Wright Brothers hold the record with a flight of about 36 miles.

Arrangements had been made to hold the initial flights about two weeks ago, but delay in the arrival of the 40-hp. gasoline engine . . . postponed the experiments. . . .

In the past week, the planes [wings] have been adjusted, the canvas stretched and every part of the machinery put to a test as to its efficiency.

Installation of the engine will be commenced early this week at the grounds adjacent to the Bimini bathhouse, where the trial flights will be commenced. . . .

Weighing less than 400 pounds, the ship is built to carry three persons.

Motive power is furnished by the 40-hp. engine, which revolves a propeller in front of the machine at the rate of 800 rpm. [sending back] a horizontal current of air among the planes, sufficient to knock a man down. . . .

Associated with Professor Zerbe are J.H. Klassen and Edgar B. Smith. [Photo caption says Edgar S. Smith.] 

. . . The start for the tests of the machine will be made from the property of the Aero Club adjoining the spot where the Zerbe machine has been built. . . .

I couldn't find any record that Zerbe’s aircraft was flown before the end of the year. The Michelin prize was taken by Wilbur Wright, who flew 61 miles in 1 hour and 31 minutes.

The next we hear of Professor Zerbe was in 1910 at the first Los Angeles air meet, when his machine attempted a take-

For more information on Zerbe, go to this site by Jordon.