Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-12
Total Destruction Of tie Furni-
ture Factory Of Metznsr,
Schellhase & Co.
Involving a Loss Of Not Less
Than Seventy-Five Thou
sand Dollars.
A Graphic Description Of the
Start and Progress Of
the Flames.
Heroic Work by Firemen Con-
fine The Fire TO the
Factory.
Give Us More Water ard a Larger
Fire Department.

tive US wore WAFER aEu Larger
Fire Department.
The most disastrous fire Wheeling has
seen for many years was Tat oil TINS
morning, which inside total Inin OF the
furniture factory OF Metzaer, ScaeiIhOse
& Co, on Water street, in the Filth
ward. The less is variously estimated
by the proprietors, and will reach not
less than
THE GIGANTIC FIGURE OF $4,000.
On this there is some $4,000 of insur-
ance, but the exact amount cannot be
learned in season for this issue.
Scarcely had the Capitol clock tolled
the hour of midnight, when again the
bell rang on; and its wild clanyor was
the alarm note OF fire. The signal
struck the number ~, located at the
corner OF Main and Twenty-secc nd
str .ets and as u rush was made in that
direction there was to many iorebot-
in tn, the fire was in
THE DANGEROUS HEIGnDosuooD
of the furniture factory. This proved
true and when the first engine
arrived the smoke and fire we're
spouiing from the windows OF the
second story north, aboutthe centre OF
the building. The fire did not appear
dangerous, but its extent could not be
ascertainsd, and the department at
once prepared for no: fight. All the
engines responded to the general alarm,
and numerous lines OF hose we're quick
~ stretched in every direction.
The alarm had been given by man
named Kite, living on the alley in the
rear and at the same time Waterman
Ritter, employed to guard the building,
discovered the fire. Mr.. Metzner was
at once aroused and brought to the
scene, where
HIS DISTRESS WAS TERRIBLE
and pitiable. He could give no inform
alton AMI it was sometime before he
could control himself sufficiently to
give any directions. Manager Sauer
was on hand and under his direction
the rear was opened and some fifty bar.
rels OF varnish and large quantity OF
valuable vencers were removed TO places
of safety.
During this time many persons adj
vised the letting alone OF these things,
as the fire was thought to b. under con.
troll and confined 10 its starting place,
but the main building was full OF smoke
and nothing could be told, and the work
OF removal went steadily on. The fire
hat started in the vanishing rooms on
the north, but in less than twenty min.
utes
A DENSE BLACK SMOKE
was issuing from every window and
even forcing itself through the bricks,
while an occasional tongue OF flame shot
through it and lighted up the scene.
\ battling lack OF water was here felt,
and the streams now playing upon the
front could not break the windows, but
in the rear several powerful streams
were doing cool work. But, singular to
saw, no fire was visible, though the
smoke rushed out in solid, black cloud
that fairly shrouied the building and
darkened the air in the vicinity. Then
suddenly
CANE \ TERRIBLE PUFF
and with one effort the flames burst
from the roof and shot high into the air,
and il was evident to the most casual
eve that the immense building was
doomed. Tie heat suddenly became
intense and drove back the men, while
the building roared and Kissed as the
furnace glowed within. The floors
seemed
LITERALLY TO MELT AWAY,
and the roof fell with tremendous
crash. At this point, so intense was the
heat that trains OF cars on the outer
tracks began to smoke and We're pulled !
oil.
During this time the fire was confined |
10 the main building, which was cram
med full OF combustibles. The flames
had smoldered so long that when once
the fire held sway the destruction was
fierce and rapid. Soon the rear aud |
south extension caught and ruthlessly |
the devouring element fought its way.
Certainly the department did well and
deserves nothing but praise. twas
TERRIBLE HAND To HAND FIGHT
with the fire demon, battle in which |
all human strength seemed pitted against
the irresistible. Everything was unis-
vorable, and at this iuncture a stiff |
breeze arose and famed the flames TO
greater fury. On the southwest was a
large frame structure used as store |
house; on the east were several frame |
dwellings and on the north the |
huge piles OF lumber, and upon |
all at once was the fury OF the |