The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-17
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
Russelrs Coach Factory and WICK
ards Ice House I'm Cumoe'
Nd, Totally Destroyed.

Russelrs Coach Factory and WICK
ards Ice House I'm Cumpe
Nd, Totally Destroyed.
From the Cumberland News, Tuesoasi
About half past two P. NJ. yesterday
the alarm o, fire was given, and people
FASTENED to the spot from which smoke
was seen ascending, which proved 70 DC
Mr.. E. J. Russell's Coach Factory SIT
uated on South Centre street. Inc
flames at first were confined to the rear
part Of the paint shop. The fire prov
ing threatening, men began carrying
out articles OF value from the several
shops on the premises, such as car
riages and carriage material OF all des-
criptions, and in all stages OF manu'ac-
ture, from the highly finished vehicles
to the unfinished wheel. The flames
making a more rapid progress than
was expected. the efforts to save the
extensive carriage material with which
the buildings were stored became ran
tic, and men indiscriminate'y threw the
stock from windows and doors In all
directions. Fortunately, by the heroic
efforts of citizens, much that was valu-
able was saved from the burning nulid'
ings, although many things were either
broken, or badly bruised.
While the above was being enacted
the fire engines had arrived Oh the
scene, but much time was lost by a
multitude of disasters. First, no nre
had been started in the steamer until
after it had reached the scene OF the
fire. Then there was no supply Of ~ater
in tie race, and when at last steam was
raised, the valves OF the engine choked
with mud, which disabled the working
Of the apparatus. The Cumberland
Fire Engine was quickly on the spot
considering the long distance it had to
be brought. twas soon put to work
but the hose was troublesome, and time
was lost in getting water on the fire.
Water began to flow in the race at last,
some one in the meantime having raised
the gates at Willison's mill and let a
flow Of water on.
The flames were by this time most
alarming, and were rapidly spreading
reaching in their devouriug embrace
the surrounding buildings and threaten
ing destruction to all things near AT
this crisis large force OF men (under
direction Of the thoughtful manager,)
arrived from the rolling mill with a
large quantity OF hose, which was at
tached to the street fire plug and made
to render good service. The hose
from the rolling mill was also loaned
the fire steamer to replace the worth
less one OF the city. The men from
the rolling mill worked with a will,
and did yeoman service at whatever
their willing hands could find TO do,
Much credit is due the manager, Mr..
Thomas Venners, for the fortunate as
sistance thus rendered. and we feel safe
in rendering him the thanks OF the peo-
pie for his timely aid. His foresight
and noble efforts are certainly COM
mendable in the highest degree. While
these things were transpirlng the fire
had spread over the entire premises
occupied =. by Mr.. Russell's factory
and to Mr.. Levi Wickards
large ice house. and several smaller
buildings adjoining, wrapping the whole
in one vast sheet OF flame, hurlIug fiery
embers Tar and near. Houses in the
vicinity were now Threatened and sew
eral were on fire. Men were seen
clambering to the houTe tops, and pals
Of water were passed up to them The
roofs OF Mr.. McKay's, Mr.. Rawlings,
Mr.. Murphy's, Mr. Goldsmith's and
Mr.. Lynch's houses, on Harrison street,
were all on fire at about the same time,
but fortunately the flames were extin.
guished by persons on the roots before
any damage was done. On Mr.. Jesse
Korn's brick row, opposite the burning
factory, the sparks fell thick, but were
extinguished before igniting the roof.
All efforts to save any OF Mr. Rus
sells or Mr.. Wickards buildings were
fruitless, and owing TO the fact OF no
water, bad hose and general misman-
agement, the people witnessed the NOR
tifying and painful spectacle Of these
buildings being destroyed, and the fire
raging until all that was combustible
within its devouring grasp was con-
sumed to ashes.
Mr.. Russelrs loss is estimated at
$4,000. Fortunately, however, he is
insured to the extent Of S60O0-$300O
in the Fire Insurance Company Of ALE.
gany county, Messrs. j. S. Sonson Il
Co., agents, and $1,000 in the Manhat-
tan Of New York. Messrs. Buxton d
Harrison. agents. Mr.. Wickard had
no insurance on any of his property,
and his loss is set down at 5000. Be-
sides which, his ice business will be
much iuter'ered with, although he hopes
to supply bis customers the balance Of
the season. The fire is said to have
originated from the tire heating fur.
mace" as tire were being heated at the
time the building was noticed on fire.
This furnace has been in use for twen-