The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-12-10
LAST HIGnT's EmE,
Whitaker Iron works Machine BhSI
Ds.sseysa-EhP PaFti'alaF'' Issl and

Whitaker Iron works Machine Bh0p
DsstFoysd-Eh9 Particulars, L0ap and
Insurance,
About ten o'clock last evening the stten-
ton Of the men working in the Crescent or
Whitaker Iron Works was arrested by q
bright light from the direction Of the ma
chine shop, which was discoveredto be burn
ing tiercely inside. Waterman Dietrich,
who was at the far end Of the works from the
machine shop, sent in an alarm from box 40,
situated at the mill, At eight minutes past
ten, the Capitol bell began striking, and Ut
the same moment the flames burst through
the roof, illuminating the entire central por-
ton OF the city, and drawing 70 the creek
banks and bridges the crowds OF people on
the streets.
The shop was wooden structure, about 40x
90 feet, situated on the creek bank, between
the office and mill proper, and was built
about ten years ago, Within the past few
weeks an additional 100 feet has been added
to the eastern end, but this part was not oc'
cupied, and beyond little damage 70 the
roof Is all right, The shop contained planes,
lathes and drills and small steam engine
but no boiler, steam being conveyed from the
boiler house, A small stove was used in the
building, and while no definite theory wa
advanced last evening concerning the CAUSE
OF the fire, the impression was that al
incendiary had started 1t, and not thai
it had started from the stove, The shop wa
destroyed in half an hour, but during thai
time the heat was so intense that surround
ing property was In great danger and wa!
only saved by the hard work OF tho bucket
brigade, The employees turned out in torc'
and with garden hose kept the .ottic'
drenched, and the warehouse was saved by {
bucket line.
Tho Fire Department did we'll. The At
lantC took stand on the north side OF thu
creek ut the foot OF Jacob street, and the meT
waded the creek and climbed up the opposite
bank with the hose, which was terrible job
The United made US good time as could b,
expected on Twentieth street, under Semi
nary hill, but found the two city plugs at tn
works in bad condition, being so stOppeC
up that at frat only sickly stream could b.
had. by the time everything was In working
order the fire was over rs far as damage wa
concerned, and after quenching the fire creep
ing along the roof Of the new building, moth
| ing remained but to wet down the ruins
The other companies responded promptly L
the second alarm, but were not need beyOnt
supplying some hose,
Mr.. Nelson Whitaker placed the loss OF
tho building and machinery, after rough
estimate, at $500, and stated 1t was full!
COvcrel'by Alderson'S agency, Maj. Alder
son, who Is confined to his room at the Nc
Lure by sickness, was called OH and stated
that tho total insurance on the works wa
$50, 900, and 1t was his impression that $25,
900 was on the mill proper the remaining
! 5000 being on the other buildings lie be
lleyed that s., 900 was on the shop, Twelv
companies are interested, being the Com
mercial Union Of London; Imperial apI
Northern OF London; WestChester OF New
York; Metropol Of Paris; American Of Phila
dolphia; Mercantile OF Cleveland; NOrtl
British Mercantile Of London, and New
York City Insurance Company, and the HON
companies. The loss to any company will
not be over 500.
TWAS reported later that seven pairs otroll
were In the machine shop. II such was tn
case they are probably ruined and the los
will be somewhat larger.