Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-25
A TERRIBLE FIRE.
Hobbs, Brockunier & Co.'S Glass
Factory Burned.
An Exaspefating Lack Of Water-A Graphic
Account Of the Blaze-Description Of
the Burned Portion-Paftieulars
Of the Insurance.
FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS OF LOSS.


Yesterday eyeningStust at dark, the large
glass factory of Hobbs, Brockunier & Co.
was burned. For several months the city
has been remarkably free of fires but at
this time, when the water supply was in
that condition that would make a fire most
dreaded. il came and with disastrous effect.
A detailed account Of the catastrophe is
given below: ~
The First Alarm
was sent in q few moments after ) O'clock
and the number, 63, was so familiar, from
the number of slight fires it has indicated,
that firemen and citizens had no difficulty
in at once addressing their steps in
the proper direction. A second alarm,
soon afterward, sent the reserve force
of engines hurrying in the same direction
and darkness coming on revealed in the
southern sky the bright glare that told a
destructive fire was in operation and that
sent hundreds of people in laste to the
scene of the blaze.
Just before the alarm was sent, a small
tongue of flame was discovered on the
roof. near the south end of the factory,
Just where the pipe from the glory hole
furnace pierces the roof. 1t was but q
small blaze and might easily hav"I
'extipguisbed, but was not. Ine factory is
well supplied with hose and water cocks,
besides Babcock extinguishers, but
when q hose was made ready,
not one drop OF water responded
se;zsd a Babcock and mounted to the roof,
but as he got into position, he slipped and
fell bringing the e~xtinguisher with him.
Not n Drop Of Water.
BY this time the Eighth ward reel had
arrived and made its connections, but there
was no water and it was powerless. Pray
ers, curses and entreaties were showered
upon the force ut the water works, but
without bringing the much desired fluid,
and in the meantime the flames had SLOW
ly crept over the entire roof n were
pursuing their devouring way. A garden
hose would have quenched the flames
when discovered, without the loss of $50,
and the large crowd which had assembled
grew exasperated at the sight OF the de-
struction of thousands of dollars worth of
property. without an apparent chance of
its salvation. Fierce imprecationS were
hurled at the water works and at the sys-
TEN by which it was governed.
Fighting the lames
Inc cIlIlt hlC uSPdl thlcHb, iSPOSVu a"
seemed best, had been busily engaged in
preparations, and when at last the water
trickled. at first, and finally spouted
through the hose, made vigorous efforts to
check the onward rush of what had now
become q seething mass of fire. Creeping to
the east. or rear, the flames had attacked
the chemical room, where salt.
petre was stored, and once tax.
- I-ll tlN.a Ill r,a..I aud htggnl
in unappeasable fury. The mould room,
pattern room, engine house and factory
were now completely wrapped in flame,
and the sight was one of unparalleled
splendor and horror. The department
worked with yigor, butthe south end of the
building was unapproachable, and the fire
was creeping slowly northward. To I'M
derstand the situation the
Plan OF the Works
must be given. The factory, warehouse
and mould shops, together, formed a right
angled triangle, with the hypothenuse
toward The river. On the south was the
mould room, then came the factory, then
the packing room and on the northern side
are the warehouse and office. Sepa-
parallel with the factory is the
large two story building, devoted to
cutting aud grinding, mixing, engraving,
sand blasting, etc. The south end of this
building is of wood, and though it took fire
several times, it escaped by a miracle. But
the flames had completely burned out the
south angle of the triangle mentioned and
up into the right angle of the triangle, leay-
ing intact but the warehouse nearest the
railroad and the adjoining office. Across
Thirty-sixth street from the Office, is the
large new etching building, which, with
the cutting room, escaped. 1t was connect
ell by a bridge with the warehouse, but this
structure was cut away TO destroy cOmmu-
niCatiOn.
After the Fire
had been stopped at the warehouse by q
proof wall. il was in condition to be sue
cessfully fought and then, after two hours
OF fierce burning. was subdued and nothing
remained OF its former fury but the smOuld-
erings ON projecting beams and woodwork.
The factory was q gigantic ruin, the walls
and furnaces standing out grim in the deS-
olatiOn about them. Fortunately, the floor
was heavily arched with brick and there
fore i~ndestructible, and the furnaces, with
their solid build. were their own safety.
The glass in the pots is uninjured, and at
this writing men are engaged in firing the
furnaces to maintain the glass in fusion.
The presses and most of the mouldS and
patterns were removed and Il heavy loss
thus averted. Stored in the solid arches
mentioned, were $4,000 worth of
wood patterns and after the
fire they were discovered to
be safe and sound. The moulds were in
only tolerable condition with portions
lost, but not intentionally damaged.
The Losses.
At this time it is impossible to say what
the loss will be. Mr.. C. w. Broekunier
told the REGISTER reporter hat he though
$4,000 would cover the actual losses. The
walls, with the exception, possibly, OF the
south one. were in good condition and the
furnaces all right. 1t is impossible to say
what amour OF glass ware was damaged in
the packing and asserting rooms, or to
what extent the mOuldS and presses were
injured in the rough handling. The
heaviest loss falls upon the mould room, i'll
the destruction OF the machinery there.
This glass house is one of the largest in
the country, and is now the pioneer estab-
lishment of the West. 1t gives employ
ment to between $50 and 800 men, boys
and girls. But very few OF these will be-
out OF work for any considerable time, Us
the work of rebuilding will begin, to-day.
Mr.. Brockunier says the company can lose
no time in getting TO work, and with Il
temporary roof the factory can go on rs
soon Us the debris is cleared away. The
multitude OF hands employed in the cut.
ting, grinding, engraving, etching, pack
ing and shipping departments will lose no
time. To-day is pay day and the men will
be paid oil rs usual.
The Insurance.
The losses are perhaps hall covered by
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