Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-15
The "Hope'' Hose House.

The proposition TO repair the Hope
house house provoked such a discus
sion before Council, on Tuesday night,
that we visited the spot with view to
investigating the building and arriving
at a complete understanding OF the case.
The building is situated on the north
side of Eleventh street, about three
numbers east of Market, and from an
exterior view looks very much indeed
like ''forlorn Hope" 1t appears to
have been built about the year a. ID.
1900, and in bad repair even for that
time. The style of architecture IS
rather hybrid, not Gothic or Doric and
certainly not Renaissance. a small pep
per-boX bel!ry SurmOunts the forward
gable. To which two much frayed ropes
lead. The roof is better than a sieve,
but not much.
Upon entering the lower story, the
sensation somewhat resembles that up
on entering conglomerated junk, drug
and curiosity shop. In the northwest
corner stands an old hand-pump engine
that would be a small fortune to loan
exhibition. 1t is the old Button patent
and bears on an ornamental arch above
the water chamber, the inspiring words,
Hope No. >" lying concealed under
the dust of ages. On the other side, a
pair Of wheels support two fire ladders
some twenty-five feet in length, all IN
Good repair An old reel with about
seventv-hve feet of leather hose that
would hold water like seine, forms the
frDutiSpieCe of the room. In the back
ground are several barrels, which, from
the smell contain carbOlic acid and are
portions of the city's health preserving
apparatuS. Plenty OF dirt, some old
lumber and a scattering of straw COM
pl1tc the down stairs picture.
Ascending to the dOrmitory or sky
parlor. scene resembling that OF a
country schOOl-house meets the eye.
Everything is paSsably clean, and be-
trays the recent presence OF man. a
desk, or pulpit, a cabinet organ and the
arrangement of chairs and benches pro-
claim il place of religious meetings,
and so il is. 1t is the sanctuary OF the
main branch of the African NJ. +.
Church. and is used, on the average,
about four hundred times year Tor
services, revivalS, festivals, dc. 1t has
hcpn minated that it bore a bad repu-
tation. but careful enquiry among the
neighboring citizens fails to confirm this
report. and the good name OF the ha-
bitues stands untarniShed. 80 much
for the appearances of the building.
Upon this house it is proposed to
spend $3.50 to put it in repair ready for
use. II is agreed, and justly, that the
citv needs some intermediate fire sta
ton between the Nigilant and Atlantic
engine houses. 1t certainly seems
plausible that, in view OF the fact that
the most valuable portion Of the city
thus is situated, something in the way
of fire protection should be done. The
"Hope" house is in a valuable location,
and properly repaired would answer adj
mirablv. But will 500 do this? The
building is in miserable repair, the roof
is worthless, the floor not much better,
and the window frames almost rotted
away. The front doors must be re-
placed and the beliry strengthened, UNI
iii. bv pieces, the old building will be re
moved and a new one substituted.
However, action on the matter Is still
pending and may never come TO head.