The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1879-08-22
FIFTH EDITION.
REHOBOTH'S DISASTER.

$4,000 ~ = "a - DAAC<AAJA A<Ass
FURTHER FACTS OF THE BURNING OF
THE SURF HOUsE--A RUSH FOR LIFE
IN THE EARLY MORNING-HOw THE
GUEST ARE FARING.
The, news of the burning and total
destruction of the Surf House at Reno
both Beach was received with profound
surprise and regret by the many per-
sons in this city, who are Interested in
the beach. The news arrived by tele-
graph about 8 o'clock and the news
received was of the briefest nature and
only spoke of the total destruction of the
h tel and buildings about 3 o'clock.
Mr.. Z. j. Muhlhansen, one of the
guests of the Surf House, came up to
fills city from Rehoboth on the noon
train and brought further particulars
Of the burning Of the hotel. The lsun-
dry where the fire originated was situ-
ated on the western side of the building.
About the time the fire was first discov-
cred the wind unfortunately veered
around from the sea and blew from in
land, carrying the flames right upon the
main building.
How the fire caught IS unknown, but
1t was probably ignited from the range.
At 10 O'Clock a servant visited the room
and there was then not enough fire to
heat an iron. Another party, q gentle
man who had been out calling upon
some friends, while returning to the
hotel at 2 O'Clock, saw a light in the
laundry, but it was not Of sufficient
brightness to lead him to suspect any
thing wrong.
| A colOred servant who slept near the
laundry was awakened by the cracking
and swapping of The flames and the In
tense and increasing heat. She opened
the door to see the extent of the fire and
the flames shot out through the door in
a velumn accompanied by masses of
smoke. She at once ra toward the
center of the building crying, Fire,
fire J" and at once alarmed the house.
But for this many lives might have
been 10 t.
This servant had her face and hands
burned painfully but not severely. With
this, and the burning of the hands of one
of the pOrters no one was injured.
Almost instantly the whole house was
in an uproar. The flames advanced
rapidly and the cry of "fire," taken up
and repeated by score of Threats
sounded high above the roar of the
flames. The work of escaping was al
once commenced. Property was not for
moment thought of.
The only personal property Of any
value rescued was the piano and organ
and Mr.. Billany's books. As described
in the special despatch, published in q
preceding edition only about TWEEN J
guests were in the hotel. OF these the
following are Wilmingtonians Herr,
Trultt, E. J. Muhlhausen, Harry Billany
Miss Matte Pickles, Miss Mollie Solo
mon, Miss Caddie Shelp, John Rodney
W. II Billany aud Mrs. w. H. Billany
Quite number of the guests wer'
from Baltimore among whom were Viii
liam Klinefeathers, Henry Klinefear her
and Charles Parish. Then there wa
Rog' RS, The private Secretary of Presi
dent Hayes, who was accompanied by
party consis ing of Mrs. Rogers, Mis-
Rogers, seve' al small children and MI
and Mrs. Osborne. These were quite
number of guests in addition To tn Sc.
Nearly all those stopping at the ho.t
lost heavily. Miss Matte Pickles To-
nearly all her clothing, but Miss Sol
mon was more fortunate. Miss Cadd
Shelp had a very narrow escape and vi
saved en- deshdbile. Mr. Rodney 10
? everything he had excepting part Of
suit Of clothes.
: The Messrs. Klinefeatbers from Bait
more were heavy losers. They were NJ
awakened until the fire had gained fur
Gus Roadway and in their confusion fai
ed to find the ley of their room to vi
lock the door and had to climb throug
the transom taking no apparel with theI
except the night clothing which the
wore, They afterwards went back wit
a servant to get their gold watches an
money but could not get into the room
The residents in the cottages. strang
to say were not aware Of the FIRE unit
, the hotel was nearly total ruin. Vine
they did come down to the scene the
were very clever with the houseless In
mates of the hotel. They supplied thos
who had to run in night-caps. with sui
able clothing and took many Of them !
and treated them Hospitality. None cam
! up at noon except MIR. Muhlhausen, bl
7 more will come up this evening.
; Mr.. W. H. Billany, the manager an
: lessee of theSurf House, was expected
come up on the noon train TO-DAY, br
owing to having some business TO alton
to he old not come. He will prObabl
: come to the city with his family to- nigl
| or tomorrow at noon.
The loss by the fire has caused muc
, depressi IN among the members of tn
Rehoboth Bach Camp Meeting ASS
citation, and they severely feel the bio y
The clear loss TO them will be nearl
eight thousand dollars. They will hol
g II meeting tonight or tomorrow an
!, take some action upon the matter.
: It is not known as to whether the hot'
will be at osce rebuilt. 1t Is equally
doubt as to whether the Association wi
rebuild the hotel at all. Some Of th
mem bers of the Association have sue
gested that the insurance money
taken to pay off the debts of the AssC
ciatlon, aud leave the hotel to be rebuff
by private persons.