The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-05-29

Ner Nail FGotory BlnHti-Eaimdiod Los
on Buildings Gad Machinery S6O,0O0,-
Shortly after o'clock last evening, sew.
eral men who still fingered in the plate
mill Of the Riverside Iron Works, after
quitting work for the day, observed one
Of the timbers in the roof Of the building,
Just over furnace No. /, blazing slightly.
The roof had evidently caught FIRE from
sparks from the furnace stack, which was
in close proximity at that point. The men
Immediately procured the hose kept in the
mill, intending to throw a stream OF
water upon the burning timber. Unior-
tunately, however, the nozzle could not be
found, and the hose was thrown aside as
worthless.
In the meantime the small blaze had
grown rapidly and was sweeping along
the dry roof with considerable velocity.
Ii a small stream OF water could have
been thrown upon the burning timber
when first discovered, it could easily have
been eXtinguished, and disastrous con-
Aagration averted. But the roof burned
like finder, and the men becoming
alarmed rang the bell Of the mill and
called for assistance.
DELINQUENT FIRE DEPARTMENT,
The engine house Of the United steamer
Is within square Of the mill, and the
steamer should have been on the ground
inside OF three minutes at the very
farthest. There are generally so many
conflicting statements, that il Is diff
ticult to obtain reliable information in re
gard to the response Of the members OF
the department to an alarm Of fire. We
found last evening an almost unanimously
expressed opinion that fully ten minutes
elapsed after the alarm was given before
the United arrived at the burning build.
ing. The engineer and hostler, on the
other hand, state most positively that
their engine was ready for work inside OF
three minutes. Some Of the mill men
with whom wecoUversed assert that it was
from fifteen to thirty minutes before the
United had a stream upon the building,
and that before that time reel from the
Belmont mill and the Eighth Ward hose
company had arrived and were at work,
and the Vigilant North Wheeling)
steamer was as far down as the stone
bridge. However that maybe, it is very
certain that II the United steamer had
responded within reasonable time the
fire could easily have been extinguished,
THE ENGINES AT WORK.
A stream was thrown upon the roof
by the reel brought from the Belmont
Mill, and shortly afterwards a second
stream by the reel from the Eighth Ward
hose carriage. The United, Vigilant and
Atlantic steamers also made their appear.
anCe and commenced working after the
fire had gained considerable headway.
The flames spread from the plate mill
building to the new nail factory, and II
was evident in few moments that neither
building could be saved.
1t should be recorded, to the credit OF
the fire department, that after they got to
work they fought the flames nobly, Ev-
crything possible was done to save the
buildings and machinery. Chief Mar.
shall Winder only arrived from Pitts.
burgh on the o'clock train, and did not
get TO the scene Of the fire until the build
ings were almost destroyed, but he went
to work with will and succeeded in ex.
tinguishing the flames before the ma.
chinery was injured to great extent.
THE PLATE MILL BUILDING.
The nail plate building was totally de-
stroyed. Much care was taken to pre-.
serve the machinery, and II il thought
that the loss will not amount to more
than from twenty to forty per cent. This
building was erected in 1867, and cost
about $4,000. 1t can probably be replace
ed at the present time at cost not exceed.
ing $4,000 or $4,000. The building was
insured for 5000. The machinery and
fixtures, which were valued at something
over $4,000, were insured for Sls,S4i.
THE NEW FACTORY.
The now nail factory contained thirty.
six nail machines. The building was
erected only last winter, and cost about
$4,000. II was insured for 5000. The
greater portion Of the building was de-
stroyed, but the frame and that part
covered with tin roof remain stand
ing. The factory had double
floor, which il still in good con.
ditiOn. II is impossible to tell how
much damage the machines have sus-
tanned until sufficiently cooled to admit
Of an examination, but ii is thought the
loss to machinery, as in the nail plate
building, will not exceed from twenty to
forty per cent Of the total value The
machinery was insured for $4,000
STOCK, ENGINE, Ere.
During the feeders strike the stock Of
plate iron accumulated, and there was
over $4,000 worth In the new factory at
the time Of the fire. Between 400 and
800 kegs Of nails were also in the factory.
The plate iron was uniniured, but the
nails were damaged. The stock was in.
sured for $4,000.
During the fire heavy piece Of timber
fell upon and broke the pipe connecting
with the engine. The steam flew in all
directions, making kissing noise which
could be heard a great distance. II il
thought that the engine has not sustained
any damage. II cost $4,000, and Is in.
sured for $500. The grindstOnes in the
factory all burst, and Of course are total
lOss.
THE INSURANCE.
We are indebted to c. NJ. Ccen, Esq,
insurance broker and agent, for list Of
the companies holding risks upon the
new factory and plate mill building Of
the Riverside Mill. The total insurance