Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-12-23
FIRE AT SMYRNA.


Property Damaged-LOss About
S2j,9GO. "5-.5
Special Correspondence OF State journal
SsIYRNA, Dee. 2O.-0a Saturday night
Smyrna added her experience to that of
many other towns that have had large tires
with 70 means of extiuguishing them.
About Z o'clock the large basket factory
and pianiug mill, owned by W W. ischudy
~ 5. Cats, known HI the Worden mill,
situated near the depot, was discovered to
be ON IRE, The slarm WAS promptly
given, aud in very short time there were
people enough present 10 have put 1t cut,
had there been water and buckets at hand.
But buckets had 10 he hunted up, and it
was found that the cistetns and wells had
little or no water in them. Before sutli-
cient water could be had the FIRE was undt r
engine wiki plenty of water could have
saved the building Fortunately ct this
time there was only light breeze.
AS the fire progressed 1t became evident
that the large storehuusa owned by the
firm aud rented by George Van nWlnkie, a
young ms reliant, who had Just opened his
store, would be destroyed. While some
men were busy erdeayoring to remove
Mr.. t.nWlukle's goods to place OF
safety, the dwelling house, owned by S.
NanFl s5en, had caught fire, and all efforts
to save it were unsuccessful. Tie wind
seemed to be increasing, and houses at the
front sud on each sid5 Of the burning
factory we're being scorehed, and doubts
were entertained of any chance TO save
them. II really looked at this slime as if
the Whole street must go, aud, with the
town of Salisbury vividiy brought to mind,
came the thought CT help from Whining
tGH, auG there being general demand for
such Lsip, Mr.. Nal Gasken ttlepraphed
the Mayor for assistance. B5t, huppily, ina
tess minutes tue Wild took u change, the
Dire aoated somewhat and the order for
HsslstanGe WAS cuuntcfnlGuue d. The
Mayor telegraphed his d sire to render any
asststauca that Wilmington could give ana
we learn that within ten minutes after the
order was received the engines were
loaded oH the cars ready 10 come. While
our citizens ara thankful there vas o
cause for the iiremen to come, they appre-
eiate this Willingness to do them ser ico and
if ever the opportunity occurs they will
let factions speak louder than words the
appreciation which Smyrna has for
WiImingtou'a Mayor aud Fire Department
'tachudy X Cats had some -, 600 peach
Baskets aud y large quantity OF nails stored
ia thair factory, Ineir loss will probably
reach Tl3 900 with an insurance of
-, 600 IN the Kent County Mutual. This
hrm bought the factory ut very low
figures, and those who know say the build
ings could rot be replaced with machinery
equally good for less than $25, 600.
George N.nWinkls's loss is probably
500 or $500; not insurrd. $ Van
F1ssen'5 dwelling was valued at 81 800
insured Tor i 200 in the Narpers' Mutual
Company.
Considerable damage Wa done to
several other buildings owing 10 the il.
teuse helt No one gppea,s tg know how
the ire origi atcd, but it is generally
trac+a to q lot hearing connected with the
plaues, which was the last thing usrd be-
lCre closing Saturday night. The was ex.
uelenl infringement Oh the part of the
town citizens or matters would have been
much worse than they are. II is certainly TO
be hoped that this expensive warning will
be sufficient to warrant the town in pro-
curing fire apparatus that will be of SER
vice when required