The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-06-09
Destructive Fire.

was on his way to the depot to take the
1.30 train for Baltimore, discovered the fire
about the same time.
The fire spread rapidly, and by the time
our citizens were aroused, had enveloped
the entire frame end of the building. The
engines were promptly on the ground, and
considering their condition, the want of
the exceedingly scant supply of water, they
were brought to play on the fire in a
remarkably short space of time.
While the engines were being ably
handled by one body of citizens, another
applied themselves to saving as much as
possible of the stock of the burning store
and those Immediately adjacent. The front
door of Mckinsey's store was broken open,
but the smoke, however, was SO dense and
! the heat so great on the inside that but
little of the stock was removed, about $500
worth only being saved.
Adjoining Mckinsey's, on the west was
| the hardware store of Alexander & Bro, a
brick building, in the rear of. which was
| iiSO ii DdCh W NlICu tliC
flames quickly communicated, and in a
very few moments this establishment was
also a burning mass. A very large part of
! their stock of stoves and hardware, and a
portion of the tools, were saved, much of
| it, however, in damaged condition.
! No efforts were made to save either of
these stores, as it was from the first seen to
be an impossibility, the efforts of the fire
men being directed entirely to the salvation
of the surrounding buildings. Adjoining
Alexander's hardware store, and between
it and the post-ot1lce building "a large brick
| structure) stood the confectionery establish
ment of Mrs Annie J. Henry, a one story
frame Her entire stock was removed to
place of safety, and the building quickly
torn down. BY this means and the con,
slant application of a stream of water, the
post office was saved and the fire stayed in
that direction.
On the west of McKinsey's store and
separated from it by an alley twenty feet
wide, stands Simons Exchange Hotel
This is large brick building with shingle
roof. What little wind there was stirring
blew in the direction of this house, and
completely developed it in a cloud of smoke
and burning fragments. 1t seemed at one
time utterly impossible to save it. The
wood work of the windows next the burn
ing store was quickly consumed and the
interior ignited, while the roof was burning
in number of places. The amateur fire
brigade at this point, headed by Adam
Meisel, Geo. Alexander, and David Sloan,
were as desperately determined, however,
as the fire tiend itself, and they battled
heroically, never once giving an inch, sur
rounded by fire, scorched by the intense
heat and blinded by the smoke, it seemed
almost a miracle that their physical natures
could withstand it. Endure it they did,
though, and victory at last was theirs and
their foe conquered.
We are sorry we are not able to give the
names of all who took part in this grand
battle within and upon the roof of this
structure. 1t was hard to distinguish faces
amid the smoke and confusion. In add-
ton to those named we recognized Rev.
Mr.. Ridgeway, DR.. C. NJ. Ellis, G. Vaux
Bacon, and Chas. j. Smith. There were
several others at work amid the fire and
smoke in the attic. We were, however,
unable to learn their names. Where so
many are deserving of especial mention it
seems invidious to single out especial cases.
1t is impossible, however, to name all; we
therefore note few of those that came
under our personal notice.
Mr.. John Perkins led the charge on the
west, or post-otlice side, of the burning
block. He was ably supported by a number,
foremost among whom were Messrs. Henry
Woods, John Gilpin, Amos Pierson, David
Gilpin and S. ]. Price. Messrs. A. w. Mitch
ell and W. II. May directed the stream
from the old Water Witch engine, which
was stationed at the Court House pump,
while Mr.. Meisel had charge of that of the
Figilant, which stood in front of the Ex-
change Hotel. DR.. Mitchell, F. A. Ellis,
and w. ]. Jones, Esqs., took general
direction Of matters and aided much in
systematizing the work. The Bee Hive
man-R. G. Reese-worked like a beaver.
Revs. Messrs. Heberton and Skinner were
prominent among those doing able duty.
The engines and pumps were manned by
willing crews, while the bucket brigade
furnishing water from the neighboring
pumps labored unintermittingly. Some of
those upon the engines worked without
rest the entire time.
The street opposite the burning buildings,
and for some distance above and below,
was rendered almost impassable by het-
erogeneous collection of lumber stoves,
furniture, and all imaginable articles. The
stock of dry goods of Edmund Brown,
which is in the hotel building, was much
damaged by water and removal. Much
loss was also sustained by residents of the
neighborhood, by damage to furniture,
which was uncerimoniously carried out.
On the east side of Main street is block
of frame stores, the principal of which are
Lewis Glass Front, T. G.. Crouch's shoe
store, and Frank kerr'S merchant tailoring
establishment. These buildings were saved
through the efforts of number of citizens,
who protected them from the intense heat
by means of wet carpets, blankets, etc.
The only damage done to them was the
blistering of the paint upon the fronts.
Mrs. Nelson, next door above Kerr's, suf-
fered slightly from damage by removal of
furniture. Fully covered by insurance
Mrs. VIM. Torbert lost about 500 worth
of furniture, &c, stored in the McKinsey
building.
AT half past one o'clock, when the de-
struction of all that part Of town seemed
inevitable, a despatch was sent 10 Whining
ton for aid. a reply was received that an
engine and men would leave there for
Elkton, at 8 o'clock, but before that time
the fire was gotten under control and word
was sent for them not to come. Never did
our citizens combat a fire more determi-
nately and successfully than on this occa-
sion. Beginning with almost a forlorn
hope and with imperfect apparatus, by in
domitabe courage and logged perseverance
they prevented most devastating conila-
grafton. We put Elkton men against all
the world for fighting fires
The total loss is about $l2,0 900. The two
brick store houses were owned by II. &.
IIurn, and were worth about $1,000; in
sured lin Cecil Company for $3.50. Mrs.