The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-13
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
FIVE BUILDINGS WIPED OUT.
Naynssburg ROused at Dawu by tho Shrlll Cry Of
Pirt-rhs Narrow Escape Of Disastrous Con.
nagratiOu-Au OppOrtune Shower-The
Cause ofth Pirs and the Losses.


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Special to the IntcllIgencer.
fWAYSEsBuRg, Pa, April 12-This morn
ing our people were aroused from thei
morning slumbers by the exciting ant
shrill cry Of FIRE fire,m which was frs
sounded by Mr.. Geo. Chapman and taker
up by others as 1t fell on their ears, ant
thus the alarm was sounded until it reached
every section of our quiet town. The
Court house and NJ. Z. Church bells wert
rung, and soon an excited throng OF people
were hurrying to the scene with buckets
TO do what they could to extinguish the
angry flames. The flames, which had
gained considerable headway when
first discovered, shot heavenward, making
brilliant light, so as to render The loca
ton easily observable, and soon several
hundred persons were at the scene, and
willing hands went TO work to savethe ad
jacent property. The fire was discovered
Iby Mr.. Geo. Chapman, who was pre-.
pairing to 20, to his stable to 60,
his omnibus ready to gather up
passengers for the early train. The
FIRE originated in the cabinet shop Of Gar.
rison 4, Reltig,! in the basement OF o frame
building located on Franklin street The
flames had already broken through the
side ofthe ebuildine. Mr.. Chapman gave
the alarm, and then commenced to look
after his household effects, us it was evi.
dent his dwelling couidnot be saved. He
also aroused Mr.: George Cunningham and
family, which was not done too soon. a
brisk breeze was blowing from tho north.
east which famed the flames and carried
them 10 the marble shop Of J. J. Summer
gill, which was soon reduced to ashes, as
was also the building where the fire orig.
mated. Mr.. George Cunningham's dwell
ing stood almost against the building on
tire, and was soon licked up like chaE.
TAHES OUT ny FORCE. Il.
The flames were already in the house
before Mrs. Cunningham was gotten out,
and then she was taken ont almost by
force. Immediately, in the rear OF this
building stood another small frame house,
occupied by the Misses Dunston, which
was also destroyed. Adjoining the Gun
ningham property was a frame tenement
house. OF Mr.. William Hayes and occupied
by. Mr., George Chapman, to which the
flames were communicated, and ittoo was
soon pile acknowledging ashes and debris,
excepting the east wall, which was saved
by the heroic work OF a number OF men.
This wall served as protection 10 the
house occupied by Mr.. John ,Hayes, and at
one time was on fire, but, the flames were
extinguished.
In the vicinity was the livery stables Of
Webb ( Minor and Hewett < Bane. The
horses and carriages were removed from
the buildings, and by the constant applica.
tion OF water they were saved. The build
ings burned were frame and as dry as tin
der. The sparks were carried on the wind
to nearly all parts Of the town west Of
Washington street, and fell Oh buildings,
but the gentle april shower, which may be-
regarded as a merciiul visitation, had dam
pened theroof1 to tthat extent TO prevent
the sparks from igniting, aud thus at least
one.thjrd OF the town was saved. However,
tho residencs Of IT. Webb, james E.
Sayers. II. G. Sayers, blacksmith shop on
RichhiIl street., A. Wilson's stable and
some other buildings were on fire, but
put out by the timely application Of water.
Men were stationed on houses and build
ings liable to be set on fre, aud removed
the sparks with brooms as they fell.
~ : Z THE LOSSES +, ~. s-,r ",
j. J. SummerseiIl estimates his loss to be
from. $1,000 10 5000 on property and
stock. He had his shop full Of monuments
and headstoses, comprising his winters
work, completed aud ready for delivery, all
Of which was destroyed. No insurance.
The building in which the FIRE originated,
was the property OF Mrs. Redman, and was
worth about $500. No insurance. In this
building @. NJ. Stevens had his buggy and
paint shops. He had been in business but
short time, and all his hard.earned and
limited funds were invested. and within
less than an hour they were swept away,
leaving Mr.. Stevens penniless., He loses
about 800. In :. his shop was o new
hearse, (which WAS : being painted
and Vanished. Il was the property
OF Jesse Milliken, OF Prosperity, and was
worth kUuuL uLASfuV, hAhsio hii thae nv POo-
sessed. Also Garrison & Rettig had their
cabinet shop in the same building; they
lost their tools, werth about 800, and $50
worth OF furniture. Alexander Redman
had his, blacksmith shop In the building,
and lost his tools. VIM. Hayes house,
worth 5000, is total loss. The two houses
owned by George Cunningham were val.
ued at $500. No insurance. He also lost
all bis household effects, and, like Mr..
Stevens, It was his all. Those who have
suffered y.the fire deserve the sympathy
Of our people, and fund might be raised
aud iadlciously applied to the relief oil the
most needy. ls.-..
., ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The origin of-the fire is no. definitely
known, but is supposed to be the acci-
dental and careless work Of parties who
are supposed 10 have been in the building
playing cards, Mr.. Stevens examined the
premises, as was his custom after quitting
work, and found everything safe, and even
threw water around the forge in the black
smith shop.