West-Jersey pioneer., 1871-06-16

ested and the State of which we are Justly
so proud.
BURNING OF CANNING FACTORY.
About half-past twelve clock on Sunday
afternoon last, smoke was discovered issr,-
ing from the roof of the Canning Factory
of Warner, Rhodes & CO., on Irving Ave
nue., near Indian Fields. In a short time
the alarm was given by the ringing of Gross
cups hall bell, followed by the Pearl st.
Baptist, and Episcopal Church bells of this
city. Many of our citizens had just re-
turned from Church, and without stopping
to change their dress, rushed to the scene
of conflagration. The sidewalks of the
First Ward were crowded with pedestrians
while in the streets there were all kinds of
vehicles and men on horseback. In some
instances two OF three on one horse. One
of the most ludicrous sights was that of the
Bridgeton fire apparatus on its way to the
scene of disaster The hose carriage was
attached with long rope to ricllety old
rockaway. with colored driver, and old
gray horse. The constant application of a
whip made up for oats, which the horse
needed most. AS long as the horse could
keep in motion the hose carriage was loaded
with ambitious young men who preferred
riding to walking, but when the horse could
do no more they would dismount and help
cl, b1 Il. to l.,
made by the carriage was not quite as
crooked as Cohansey creek, but evidently
the pilot had not much experience in guild
ing such a craft. On arriving in front of
the burning building the apparatus was of
as much use as the vehicle to which it was
attached while on the way. The hook and
ladder truck was drawn as far as Bank ST.
and there deserted for want of help to pull
it. The fire engines of the city did not
make their appearance for the reason that
they were not worth dragging out. The
scenes along the road and at the fire were
ludicrous in the extreme. Men were run
nine-some with umbrellas under their
arms-some hoisted-some in black suits,
and the perspiration flowing freely-others
whose pants and vests were white when
they event in " and starched up, came out
as wet as drowned rats, with clothing hoIri-
bly, soiled with smoke and dirt. As usual
on such occasions there was large number
of women and cfnidren, sumo os the latto..
too small to walk were carried by their pa
rents. Until line of men could be formed
to the stream of water about one hundred
yards in the rear of the building, the fire
kept gaining headway notwithstanding the
two force pumps with hose attached were
doing their duty. 1t was fortunate that so
many buckets just adapted for such use
were in the building, and so soon brought
into requisition. Many of our citizens
worked hard to extinguish the flames, and
in couple of hours it was subdued. The
fire originated in the upper story of the
main building where the tin cans are man
afactured. tits supposed that on Saturday
afternoon spark had issued from one of
the small furnaces into an adjacent charcoal
barrel, which was filled with charcoal in
5he evening, the fire smouldering until Sun
lay noon, when it broke out causing the
The building was partially
destroyed. The loss is about five thousand
dollars. The building was insured in the
Cumberland Mutual and other companies,
for more than enough to cover the loss
DR.. S. Edwards, late of the firm of War
ner, Rhodes & Co., but who had sold out
his interest some months since, was on hand
with his son Julius, who is the Superintend-
ent of the establishment. Their exertions
with the citizens who came to the rescue,
saved the entire destruction of the building.
There was comparatively little stock de-
stroyed by the fire. AS usual on such occa-
sions much was scattered and lost. The
proprietors were telegraphed to twice on
Sunday, and on Monday were on hand with
the Insurance Agents. They propose to
rebuild at once, and but short time win be
lost by the hands in the establishment.
This fire should be another warning to
our citizens. Had it been in any thickly
settled portion of our city the destruction
Of property would probably have been very
great. Our fire apparatus is of but little
account, and the facilities for obAeining
~naU nurIe water there is so utterly deficient
that there would be no use in endeavoring
to save property after large fire once got
under headway.
We have SO frequently urged the import
ance OF water works for Bridgeton that
words seem of no avail. There is scarcely
a city anywhere where such excellent water
facilities are afforded as ours, and vet our
who have so much at stake will
take no action in securing what is so much
needed, and that which will pay large divi
1ends on the amount invested. If the citv
would take hold of the matter
and issue bonds in payment, reliable men
are ready to put up such works as will be
credit to Bridgeton. There are hills within
5he city limits just adapted for basins, and
there are also large bodies of most excellent
water near at hand, from which could be
conducted sufficient water to supply the
'ity without interfering with the supply for
'ther purposes. The income from water
lsed in private dwellings would alone pay
! large dividend to stockholders to say moth
ng about the advantage of having full
upply for watering the streets, and in case
II fire something to depend upon. After
arge portion of our fair city is destroyed
~ fire, and scores and hundreds of our
population lose their dwellings and have
heir furniture destroyed, the importance of
water works will be felt, but it will then be
90 late. Those very persons who would
low willingly pay for water privileges will
hen, if such a calamity befall them, not be
BILE to aid in the erection of a water works
A NJ ERICAN AND FOREIGN CHRISTIAN
American and Foreign Chris
ian Union has been discussing the question
f its dissolution. A committee of six pre-
ented two reports each signed by three
lembers. The first which prosed present |
10 41,oc r.