Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-09-15
The Fire Mt Smyrna.
Full DETAILS OF THE OCCURRENCE.
SMYRNA. Sent. IL [,

SMYRNA, Sept. 10, 1870.
Special 10 The Commercial
The fire which commenced here on Sunday, an
account which has already been published in the
COMMERCIAL, was perhaps the most disastrous
ever witnessed in this town. The building in
which the fire originated had just been fitted up
with improved machinery by Messrs Mitchell q
Weddell, for manufacturing peach baskets and
crates Their loss is estimated at $4,000, and no
insurance. The building and steam engine be-
longed to Messrs. John 4 Robert Hoffecker, of
Milford, who are insured in the New Castle
County Company for $4,000. The next building
destroyed was frame dwelling also belonging
| to the Messrs. Hoffecker, on which they have an
insurance of 5000, in the Kent County Mutual.
The next building destroyed in that direction be-
| longed to Mr. Jesse S. Huntingdon, estimated to
| be worth about fl 800, and insured in the Kent
| Mutual for 81 200. Mr. Blair had his photograph
| ic rooms in the second story of this building,
| but most of his apparatus and stock was saved,
so that his loss will probably not exceed $3.50,
without insurance. The last building destroyed
| toward the west was small dwelling owned by
| Mrs. Wright, and insured for 800. Mr.. Lock-
woods foundry adjoined Messrs Hoffeckers' bull
ding the West, and was also totally destroyed.
| His loss he estimates however at only about
| $1,000. He il without insurance. All the yalua-
| bio patterns and manufactured stock and all his
office papers were saved. The engine was saved
by destroying the wooden building under which
it was sheltered before the flames could reach it.
| The flames were only kept from extending in
all directions by the persistent and vigilant effort
of the citizens For time a stiff breeze was
| blowing from the Northeast, placing the pro-
perty on the opposite side of Commerce street
in imminent peril. Mr. John A. Cayender's
shop and residence were both on fire and the
latter in three or four places at the same time.
1 Mr.Jno. II. Wilson'S office and residence required
constant attention. The X. H. Depot is situated
some distance from the street, and was compare
lively safe. Several buildings on Pearl street
were also on fire from the sparks. 1t speaks
volumes for the fidelity of the citizen iirenen
that the large wooden building. only few yards
from the foundry, was not destroyed. The CEN
| tire of the square to the rear of the fire was a
large number of stables, sheds and other out
buildings, all of wood, and some of them filled
with hay and straw Had the wind blown in All
opposite direction, the destruction of property
might have been fearful.
or course the question of fire company il
| up for consideration again, and of course it will
have its brief day and be forgotten until the next
great fire. 1t is doubtful. however, if fire
| company would have accomplished more than
was accomplished by the citizens last Sunday.
Better engines, and other fire apparatus are
needed, and then if the people work AZ faithfully
and as diligently as on this occasion nothing
| more need be desired. Ii is true there were
oilers in this crowd as in all other miscellaneous
crowds few were afraid of soiling their hands
or of lowering their dignity, by passing buckets,
but the great mass worked with a will, and to
the purpose. The proximity Of the fire to the
depot was a fortunate circumstance, as the large
tank contained n large quantity of water.
| This letter may properly close with an s. incl
dent" The alarm of fire was given while the
churches were III the midst of their services :
but notwithstanding the alarm the services at
the Presbyterian church were continued. All
| the gentlemen present left but two--both staucl
| Presbytcrians, and not easily excited. Perhaps
il was after all a false alarm, or at most n small
affair, and they determined not to have tucii
worship disturbed. They scarcely deigned to
look around. One of them sat near window
from which the flames were VISIBLE but he
never turned his head to sec. They heard the
sermon, waited for the doxology and benedic-
ton, and then walked up Commerce street tc
find their property destroyed Their losses
would have been no less had they been on the
ground, and then they would have lost the ex
ceent sermon besides-a reflection which MAY
do very well after The .tte. S.