The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-10-13
me A.hsneum Dlsaster.
Kditors Intelliaeneer:

Editors IntelRgeneer:
AS several contradictory reports, but
all containing a QiEdntuap of truth, con-
corning the destructive fire which oc-
Cured last Saturday morning, have
obtained circulation; and in order that
ample Justice shall be done the cour-
ageous men who labored with Hercu-
lean hands and stronger hearts to save
the property oftheir fellow citizens from
the deYourinR element, 1 deem the dls-
passionate statement of an eye witness
to the whole terrible transaction not
out of place In your columns.
The fire was discovered about the
same time Il o'clockl by TWO men-one,
crossing the stone bridge, the other the
Waterman at the Tack Factory, both of
whom gave alarm. These men agree
that the first issue of the flame was
| from one of the Jltes to the playhouse.
The Rough and Ready company-I
think-was first on the ground, and
attached their hose TO the plug on
John street. near Market. This COM
pany tried TO work their hand engine,
but they could not muster sufficient
force to work Its levers. In this emer-
gency they appealed 10 the citizens for
help; but their appeal not having been
responded to, they threw aside their
engine, and from this moment relied
entirely upon the plug stream, but
which, unfortunately, had not sufficient
force 10 throw the water to the roof of
the main building. Meanwhile the
Hope. Guards, Independence and uni
ted had arrived and made attachments
to the adjacent plugs. By the time the
United reached the scene with their
steam fire engine, they had a sufficient
pressure of steam to throw the water to
the top of the building, and in a few
minutes alter their connection was
made. and the pouring of water into
the Iue at the northeast corner of the
building, at the rate OF 800 gallons per
minute,-the flame seemed almost en-
tirely extinguished. just then, how
ever, fire was seen issuing from the OPP
poslte cornice, which was. soon all
ablaZe; but not having sufficient hose
1t was impossible to reach 1t from the
attachment already made. But hav-
ing reached the best possible posi-
tion-within the length of hose at
command, steady column OF water,
(Which was compared by looker.on to
small cataract) was thrown by the
steam fire engine at the different points
within its reach. When all hope of
saving the buildings was lost, the fire.
men, without distinction. turned their
| energies towards the adjoining build-
ings, and saved them from destruction.
What would have been the loss of prop
erty but for the presence OF the steam
fire engine IL is impossible to calculate.
For Jour hours and a hay 1t emptied
the basin at the rate of three hundred
gallons per minnie; and II, in place. Of
thehdnd elgiHeS-which are disgrace
to the city, in this day of progress and
perfection of machinery-other steam
ire, engines like the one which
did such dmirable service had been
present, the eDtlre main building,
with its valuable treasure, would
undoubtedly have been saved. This
UaF11Rk Of hnnHraHd nf
people who witnessed the fire-the in
efficiency OF the hand engines and the
efficiency of the steam fire engine and
they are yet, no doubt, of opinion that
the City Council should, without fur
Their dangerous delay, supply at least
TACO more steam fire engines, with 1000
feet OF new hose Tor each engine.
In the last three weeks we have had
tano fires, more lamentable in their re-
suits than was ever before known in
the history of Wheeling. And what do
these results, terrible, indeed. as they
have been, admonlsh us? What meant
that solemn funeral cortege which,
few weeks since filled our streets with
mourning, and the hearts of all classes
OF our people with sadness and SYM
pathy? Why was every department
OF business hushed and still as death
for So many hours? What means the
last unnecessary fearful disaster, by
WnlCn ONeE p1OutUOU "OElu Oh ndTu.eaIn-
ed property, belonging to several of our
most enterprising, responsible and re-
spectacle fellow. citlzens-Messrs But
terfield IL Co., and the Dodson Bros,
was entirely consumer This, merely
we have no iDelL oTgdnized Fire De.
partHlent; and, therefore, business en-
ergy and capital are of less value in
Wheeling than in any other city of the
size in the United ST ates-simply be-
cause they have not the probability of
security against fire by municipal
law. In other wOrds-becRuse we have
not well organized paid Fire Depart
ment.
How gladly would the gentlemen
above nameds purchase, on their oIU1l
account, two steam engines as good as
the one ones now owned by the city,
and besides, pay the entire expenses
OF the Fire Department for the
next year, II by SO doing they could be
reimbursed the amount they lost in one
hour on last Saturday morning! Why
may not equal losses occur with other
citizens tonight, Tomorrow, or next
week. Who can say Then what of
the lost revenue to the city by such de-
struction of valuable property? During
the last two or three weeks-not to
count theloss- of life by fire, there has
been cut of from the City Treasury, in
the way OF total destruction of property
and suspension of business, sufficient
sum TO pay the interest on the purchase
OF the requisite number of engines for
the next two years. Then why shall we
not have protection, and a reasonable
security against loss by fire2 The offer
has been made by one of the most
skillful engineers in Wheeling, to run
a thoroughly organized Fire Depart
ment for 81 600 per anuum. Certainly
these are matters of serious Importance,
and we hope the Hon. City Council at
its next meeting, will duly consider
them, by at once taking the initiatory
Steps towards the security so much
needed. But for the blessing of Provi-
dence in sitting the IViIds, on Saturday
last, our hrenen would have been Ut
terly powerless to coDfine the flames to
the Atheneum. - CITIZEN.
+ PoLIoE CoURT.-We are sorry to re-
cord the fact that his honor still finds