The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-19
A BLOCK WIPED OUT
IN HUNTINGTON, W. VA, BY FIRE
III. Greatest cosn.rr.tios ia the History Of III.
Clty-ssrsntsen Bulldlnss Destroyed and
Twenty FAMILIES Bsadsrtd Homeless.
Origin ofths FIrt-Losss and InsuraAes.


Special DiIpGteh to he LGts!ligeneer.
HUNTINGTON, W. Va, April ls.-The
largest FIRE In the history Of this town oc.
CURED this afternoon, destroying property
to the extent Of about $40, 900, and render.
ing homeless fifteen or twenty families,
and leaving but four buildings standing in
block 420 feet square. The fire started
in the livery stable Of L. L. Kennett &
Son, situated on Third avenue between
Seventh ard Eighth streets. The stable
was soon blaze Of fire and so quickly did
It spread that the horses could only be cut
loose and driven into the streets. All were
saved but two. =.
From this point the FIRE easily spread 10
the adjoining frame buildings, and before
the engine could be brought into
service nearly every house in the square
between Seventh and Eighth streets and
Third and Fourth avenues was in flames.
The citizens were Of good service in re.
moving the stocks Of stores and household
furniture 10 the river bank, but they were
all afterwards destroyed by the fire or
damaged by water. At one time it seemed
as though the business portion Of the town
was doomed, but the wind. which was
blowing strongly at the beginning Of the
fire and directly up the avenues, changed
towards the river. This gave the firemen
chance which they improved, and the
Continental Hotel, the most exposed house,
was saved. In an hour the, fire was under
control and the workmen from the Ensign
and @. & o. shops, who had been tele-
phoned, were not able to render any SER
vice.
FIREMAN HURT.
A roof gave in burying Ave 6remen, but
they were soon extricated, with only few
bruises, except one man named Ray, who
was seriously injured. The fire is supposed
to have originated by the careless handling
Of matches. Mr.. Kennett's little girl was
sentto their home for some matches, and
brought them. Mr.. Kennett being called
out hastily, the child kept few and COM
menced playing in the loose straw with the
above result. r.
The engine horses were being used on
the streets at the time Of the fire, and the
engine was dragged to the fire by the first
persons on the ground. The Continental
hotel has been thrown open to those who
lost their all and other arrangements are
being made for their comfort.
THE LOSSES.
The losses as near as can be ascertained
are as follows:
]. W. Verlander, store and dwelling,
$4,000; insurance s.. 200.
Geo. sanborn, dwelling house, $1,000;
insurance $3.50.
Tim Dwyer, dwelling, sl,5oo; no insur-
ance.
NJ. G. Nichols, dwelling 81, 900; no insur-
ance. ...
Nelson Barnet, dwelling $500; no in
susance.
B. Buffington's estate, dwellings, ss,oooi
no insurance.
Zlck Moore. dwelling, $500; no insurance,
Kennett & Son, dwelling and stable,
Sc, 1000; insurance; S2,400.
wylie Bailey, dwelling, $500, no insur'
ance. 4'fI
n. O. Petit, Office and scales, 500.
Railroad buildings, Sl00.
wm. Davis, saloon, 81 900; no insurance
MIR. Kramer, store house, 81, 900. ~.
Ward & Co., store house, $1,000; no in
surance. .s ue f
Holsmade & Downey, store house, $1,000
no insurance.
Smith & Davis, drug store and building,
S., 900; insurance, $1,000.