The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1870-09-17
LOCAL AND STATE NEWS.

DESTRUCTIVE FIhE.-On Sunday
morning last, about quarter of II o'clock
fire broke out in the Peach Basket
Factory of Messrs. Mitchell & Weddell,
opposite the Depot, and before 1t was
discovered the whole forward part OF
the building was enveloped in flames.--
The flames communicated to the build
ing adjoining, occupied by Thos. Lock-
wood, plough manufacturer, which was
soon ablaze. Owing to the prevalence OF
a strong north easterly wind, the fire
spread rapidly, and Notwithstanding the
exertions of our citizens, who did all in
their power to subdue the flames, they
extended to the building on the other
side Of the factory, occupied by Thomas
Mccoy, tailor, end the one next door to
it, occupied by j. Huntingdon, surveyor,
and II. Blair, photographer. The ex-
cltement was intense. The wind blew
fiercely, and the roaring of the flames,
mingled with the crash of falling walls
and timbers, the hoarse shouts of the
men, and the cries of the women, all
united in forming scene which will not
soon be forgotten. The old hand engines
belonging to the town were brought into
service, but owing to their dilapi-
dated condition, could not be made 10
work very effectively, and the surround
ing buildings were saved mainly by the
GAtIbiOnS VI tilN Will DuChtt6s ilb
little flame building adjoining the pho
tograph gallery, occupied by Mr.. Peter
Carpenter, was torn down, thereby pre-.
venting the flames from communicating
to the rest of the houses in the square,
The residence of Mr.. John A. Lavender,
4p tbe qRRpfii Af tNEes sfhiffaf saved
with a slight scorching. The residence
OF Mr.. Allen, adjoining the building
which was torn down, was in great dan
ger, but by keeping water constantly on
the roof, it was saved with but slight
damage. Tie other buildings were
burned to the ground, and presented TO
the eye scene of utter desolation; and
where but few few hours before was
heard the busy hum of industry. was
now mass of smoking ruins. The fire
Is supposed to have originated from a
spark from pipe or cigar used by some
one in the factory on Sunday morning.
The total loss will amount to Sl5 600 81.
follows: Mr.. Lockwood, stock and ma
chinery, damaged and destroyed, loss.
"a 1000; no insurance. Messrs. Mitchell a
Weddell, stock and machinery damaged
and destroyed, loss, "a 900; the building.
owned by Hoffecker d Brother, was IN
sured for $500. Mr.. Mccoy, household
furniture and goods damaged and de-
stroyed, loss, about $500; the house was
insured for 5000. Mr.. Blair, pictures
and artists materials destroyed, loss.
about $l0l. Mr.. Huntingdon. buildinr
destroyed, loss, 5000; insurance. 81. 200
Mrs. Wright, building destroyed, loss.
5000; insurance, 500.
Too much credit cannot be given TO
our citizens for the gallant and effective
manner IN which they labored for the
extinguishment OF the flames. Regard
less OF personal safety, they worked on,
| without a thought of fatigue. caasin1
only when their object was accomplished
and the fire subdued. Many ladies also
lent helping hand, and the manner in
which they labored, passing water, and
assisting in whatever manner they could
reflected much credit upon thcin, and
cast shame upon those calling them
selves men, who stood back and gazed
idly upon the scene. But with all their
Willingness to work. it is impossible to
prevent the spread of large fire without
the proper means of subdning the
flames. With a regularly organized
Fire Department and efficient apparatus
the damage done on Sunday morning
might have been considerably less. AL
though everything wss done which
could be done, had not the wind Provi-
dentially died out, the destruction Of
property would probably have been
much greater. Several houses in tho
neighborhood caught fire from the fiy-
ing sparks, but were extinguished be.
fore the flames gained any heudway.-
We hope soon TO see active measures
taken for the organization of an effective
Fire Department in Smyrna; and in fu.
ture. when such confiagrations occur
the destruction of so much property can
be prevented. Let us have Fire Dc
parlment, by all means.