The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-05-10
Disastrous Fire Ayerted by an AIDE.
quafc Water Simply

The greatest scare this city has had for
many day occurred last Friday night. Just
before o'clock, with high wind prevailing,
an alarm of fire was sounded, and in an in
slant great volumes of smoke were seen at the
West End. Flames were soon visible and the
smoke began to spread over the city. The
fire originated in the barn and stable of Mr..
A. M. Warner, and must have been afre
within some time before being discovered, as
when the flames broke through the whole
building was enveloped. The Fire Depart
ment responded promptly, but the building
was too far gone to save it, and their energies
were directed to tearing it down and suppress
ing the flames to protect other property. Mr..
Warner lost a spring wagon, some hay and
other things beside the building, aggregating
about 5000 in value. Insured in the Royal
Company, Geo. w. Matthews, agent, for
500. A buggy belonging to David Baer was
also burned. On Thursday the loss was ad-
justed, Mr.. Matthews paying to Mr.. Warner
$665.35, some of the contents of the barn
being saved. A high wind was prevailing,
and large sparks were carried in great num-
bers as far east as the Catholic Church, and
few were found as far east as Centre street,
three-quarters of mile from the fire. Just
as the barn was torn down and the fremen
were engaged in throwing water on the fire,
the roof Of G. W. Morningstar' store caught
fire from flying sparks. This was speedily
extinguished by street hose before much
damage was done. Several other buildings
and stables caught, but the fires were soon put
out, and many persons who had hose wet the
roofs of their buildings as a precautionary
measure. The situation at one time was very
threatening Had the fire gotten good
start, or had the town been without water,
all that section as far east as the railroad
II LII - n
had the fire broken out at Warmers barn two
hours later, the result might have been very
disastrous for the want of necessary amount
of hose.
The opponents of the introduction of water
perhaps by this time see their error, and by
observation know its advantages in case of
fire. Without water last Friday night the de-
struction of property would have been several
times the cost of the water works. But the
water will not always avail without more hose
and an improvement of the streets. For sew
eral months efforts have been made to get
money subscribed to purchase more hose.
There should be a section of 500 feet at each
end of the city, i'll addition to what is now
kept at the Fire Department building. In
looking over the subscription lists one will
find that large property holders are giving five
and ten dollars, and those with little or no
property subscribed very literally. All sub
scription papers should be burned and the
necessary amount raised by taxation. If the
large property owners wont give respectable
sums, and depend upon the younger and less
able persons to protect their property, they
should be made to do so by taxation. West
minister, by reason of its location, should be a
prosperous, healthy and beautiful town, and
would have been so years ago but for the fact
that q small debt and a little taxation out
weighed with many persons all the advantages
of health, comfort and prosperity.
The fire of April 9, 1888, was needed to
have water introduced, though it was costly
lesson; yet, as far as some persons are con-
cerned, it would require another equally dis
astrous to induce them to get sufiiciency of
hose, and still another, with a severe cpl
demic of some sort, to induce them to have
the streets put in proper order for firemen to
travel over, and to have them clean and the
place healthy. The Fire Department, when
"a fire occurs, are expected to respond at once,
no matter if the mud and filth is knee deep.
They always turn out, and some of them ruin
boots and clothes every time. That doesn't
cost anything in the way of taxation, and it is
not a matter of concern to the anti-improve
ment people.
The life, property and health of the COM
munity must be protected, and they will be.
The improvements and appliances necessary
may not be secured at once, but they will be
in time Several large fires may have to &C.
cur first