The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-26

Work Of Destruction In Centre wheeling
Two Houses burned and one Injured.

Work Of Destruction In Centre wheeling
Two Houses burned and one Injured.
An alarm oil FIRE was struck lew mis-
utes after midnight this morning from box
AZ, Twenty.second and Main streets,
In Centre Wheeling, and was caused by
the discovery oil flames In the building
occupied by James and George Ferguson
as butcher shop.
NightwatChman White saw the FIRE frat,
and gave the alarm. The United and At
lantic engines responded at once to the
call and made attachments to plugs on
Main street, near Twenty.second, but 1t
was found that the attachment was prac.
tically useleasas there was no water In the
mains, on account Of. the accident to the
pipes at the Water Works.
Meantime the flames were steadily gain.
ing Roadway and volume, and in few
minutes had completely devourod the
frail butcher shop with its contents, con.
sisting OF meat OF all kinds, store sppli.
ances and other comoustibles. During all
this time no water could be made available
and the flames were igniting everything
within their reach. Soon the caves Of the
houses adjoining the burnt butcher
shop were ahre and the wind blowing
briskly from the north famed them into q
light blaze, which Immediately took hold
OF the roof Of the building on the south,
owned BY Henry Craft, blacksmith at
The Top Mill, and which, despite the
earnest efforts oil the fremen, burned
slowly through and was entirely con-
tumed.
Meanwhile the roofofthe building on the
north, owned by Capt. Samuel Mason,
was also ablaze, and to this building the
Hremen turned their exclusive attention,
and very soon had II under COntol, and
but little damSge was done It. This house
is occupied by James Berry, q railroad
engineer, and his furniture and that In the
houses adjoining II was much injured by
water and careless handling.
About twenty-five or thirty minutes after
the discovery Of the fire, water began 10
Gil the hose In limited quantities, but the
pressure was 80 slight as to render IL for a
little time Of not much value, but before
the fire was entirely extinguished by the
assistance Of others, II began TO come In
more liberal quantities, and toward the last
was Of real service In extinguishing the
flames.
the LOSSES.
The FIRE, as we have said, originated in
the butcher shop Of James Ferguson,
who lives with his family In house i'm.
mediately in the rear on Alley B. The
building wss built by him several years ego
at q cost Of $3.50. This building 10 q total
loss. In II was huge quantity Of beef,
pork and ssusages, besides lot Of iurni.
lure, among which latter was o wardrobe
In which was q quantity Of jewelry, sum
Of money and many other vAluables.
Mr.. Ferguson thinks bis loes will
amount 10 $500, upon which he holds
4 policy In the German Insurance Com.
pany, Of this city. He stated 10 our re.
porter that he attributed the origin OF the
ire 10 q Btovepipe In tue wall Of the build.
nss, the heat from which ignited the
wood In the vicinity. The dwelling
il Mr.. Ferguson, beyond a good sCorCh.
ng, was not damaged much.
Adjoining the Ferguson shop on the
Iouth was an elegant brick dwelling house
and store room the former occupied by
Henry Graft and the latter by L, Muegge
Ne . German news depot and book store.
This building was completely "gutted,"
The roof having been burned OF and the
Interior wood work entirely consumed.
The loea to Mr.. Graft on &C.
count oil his furniture will be $500 or 1900,
and on bis house from $l,20O to 81, 500,
Upon which there is an insurance Of $500
upon the furniture and $1,000 upon
The house, oil Ii the Manufacturers, Of ibis
city. The loss 10 Captain Mason's house
will not exceed $500 or $500, upon which
here ls no insurance.