The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-09-27
DEADwooD DESTROYED.
The Mining ToWn Devastated by the
Riames-Oyer Two Hundred BulIdinEs
burned and Two Thousand People
M0meIeas-Loss Two MIIIlOn DoIlRFs.

R1ames-OVeF Two Hundred building
Burned and Two Thousand Pe0pI
HOmeless-Loss Two Million Dollars
DRADwooD, D. T., September GA FIR
broke out In the Star Bakery, on Sherman
street, this morning, and. following tha
thoFoughiare, swept everything before /
on Lee, Main, Gold, Wall, Patton ant
William streets, and several residences OF
Centennial avenue. Famed by q lish
breeze, and nothing to contend Will
except very inefficient Fire Department
everything was at the mercy Of the flames
Less than half a score Of the pronounced
tre proof warehouses withstood severe
test. The buildings being mostly Of wood
and poorly constructed they burned like
so much chat. The fire spread with such
wonderful rapidity that any attempt al
saving anything would have been useless.
Allalongits course terrific explosions oigun
powder, petroleum, liquors, &C., were Of
frequent occurrence. Buildings were
blown to atoms. The hook and ladder
apparatus and hose carriage were the first
things to burn, leaving nothing but
q few feet Of worthless hose with
which to battle against the deyour.
ing element. Tho new water works were
tried for the first time Yesterday, and this
morning they were put to their full capaC.
ity with little success In subduing the
flames on account Of the scarcity Of water.
The hillsides were almost solid sheet Of
flame, and water from the boulder ditch
could not be had, otherwise considerable
property would probably have been saved
as the ditch ran almost directly over the
worst spot. The widest excitement pre-.
vailed on account Of the fearful force Of
the flames, and people thought OF
Little besides saving their own
lives, hundreds making their escape
with only their night clothes. Every team
within miles Of the city was called into ser.
vice to help save what could be got out,
There are probably about two thousand
people homeless, and many destitute,
About one hundred and twenty-five build.
lngs besides fifty or sixty dwelling houses
were destroyed, and while it is utterly i'm.
possible to get any definite figures regard.
ing the loss, well posted business men
place 1t from one and half to two mil.
lions. The fire is still burning, but all lis
material is exhausted, and there is no dan.
ger OF II spreading unless there is an un.
favorable change in the wind.
The principal losers are r. @. Lake,
hardware, 100000, insurance $4,000;
Miller & Mcpherson, grocers, $50, 900, un.
NJ. ]. Wertheimer & Co, dry
goods, $4,000, insurance $4,000; Frank
Welsh, $4,000, no insurance; Graves {
Curtis, furniture and china ware. $50 200.
uninsured; VIM. McPugh, liquors, S23,
900, no insurance.
Several firms, whose freproois were
saved. have posted notices that they will
open tor business on Saturday. Lumber
IS being hauled rapidly, and building
Will begin as soon as the debris can be
cleared away, in far more substantial
way than before. Most OF the merchants
who have lost their wooden stores will
erect brick ones in their stead. Labor is
in great demand, and everything presents
a lively appearance.
A meeting was held this afternoon by
prominent citizens, prompted by the
numerous thieving operations since the
ire broke out and the many cases Of lot
JUMPING. Hon. Judge Moody presided.
Il was decided to call on Gen Sturriss,
commanding at Fort Meade, for o com.
pany Of troops to act as guards over
The property Of the unfortunate suf-
Ierers by the fire, which request was
promptly complied with, and a COMPANY
of cavalry was at once sent here, together
with ten wagons and two ambulances TO
transport destitute citizens to Fort Meade,
where they Will be furnished with camps
and rations kindly offered by General
Sturgiss. All the saloons are closed by
order Of the sheriff. The city presents an
unusually quiet appearance. A citizens
committee Of safety to the number Of
seven was also appointed at to-day's
meeting, who will aid the sheriff in pie
serving the peace.
;, Evil dosrs caught will be speedily dealt
with. A proposition to organize a viVi.
lance committee hundred strong was
voted down emphatically.
The postothce, which was destroyed,
lost $, 900 in postage stamps and stamped
envelopes, but no mail was DESTROYED, and
The coaches are running regularly with
the daily mails.
Numerous kind offers OF aid have been
made BY Eastern merchants, but will
hardly be accepted, Us the merchants bear
their losses with the best possible grace,
and are not inclined to place themselves
under any obligations, at the same time
appreciating the willing offers made by all
branches OF trade. The surviving mer.
chants have not taken advantage OF the
necessity OF the hour by advancing the
prices OF staple groceries, as was generally
expected.