The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-31
FIRE AT WELLSBURG,I
.R1Y YESTERDAY MoRN1NG,
Natural Gas Cause. Destructive contia.
rratIon.-ssysral pa,Idlpgs Devonred
aud the Postofiee BADLY Damaged
a Big Loss for Little Town.

1Hellsburg was visited by disastrous
fire yesterday morning. The fire origi-
mated in the boot and shoe store of G. NJ.
White & Co.., located on the west side Of
Water street, between Urana and Lib.
erty, and when discovered tho whole int
rior Of the building was a mass of fire, and
beyond all means OF saving. The flames
soon spread to the dwelling Of Mrs. Robert
Cloudy, adjoining that Of Whiter& Co., on
the south, which was speedily destroyed
by the raging element. The Cloudy build
ing was also occupied by Jones & COtter
as dwelling and millinery store. Mrs.
Cloudy lost everything size had. Jones &
Cotter saved part OF their stock in dam
aged condition. but lost all their household
goods.
Adjoining the Cloudy building on the
south is that of Eugene Tarr, in which Is
located the postotlice. 1t is also occupied
by the Post mistress and her husband as a
dwelling. The rear portion OF the build
ing was badly damaged by fire, and was
saved only by the almost superhuman
efforts OF citizens.
North OF G. NJ. Wliite& Co. stands the
new two story frame building Of G. w,
Caldwell, tho first floor occupied by him
as a law Office, and the two upper rooms,
one by VIM. Simpson, dentist, the other
by Geo. w. .McCor(l, surveyor. This
building took fire and was very badly
damaged. The contents were all removed
to place ofsalety.
Adjoining Caldwell's on the north is an
old frame building, 70 or so feet long, the
property Of Mr.. j. II. Rose, Of Allegheny,
Pa, which was in great danger OF fire from
the Caldwell building. 1t Is occupied by
Z. Fenwick, dwelling; DIR. John B. Walk
inshaw, office, and I. ii. Marks, furniture
store. The tin roof on the Caldwell build
ling prevented it from being consumed.
Had it burned the Rose building could
not have been saved, and 1t once fully on
IRE there is no telling where the fire
would have stopped, as the intense heat
from it would have prevented operations
by the tiremen in the street, leaving the
buildin 8 opposite prey to the flames.
The plate glass in the windows OF the
large new buildings OF John Lewis and
Allies Ada Briggs, Just across the street
from the White and Cloudy buildings,
were all broken by the heat OF the burn
ing buildings.
1t is supposed that the fire originated
from natural gas, but just how will never
be know. Tie supp0sition is, however,
that 1t was caused by detective Iluc. Mr..
George N. White closed the store at $3.50
o'clock and turned the gas down as had
been the usual custom.
White 4 Co. and Mrs. Cloudy lost every
thing. Mr.. White got his books out Of
the safe, an old-time one, in very badly
damaged condition. Whether or not the
books are legible cannot rs yet be ascer-
tanned. The fire extinguishers do good
work when you can get at the fire and
have enough OF them. The greatest draw
back is the ready means ofkeeping them
charged, at all times: Water cannot be
had in sufficient quantities for this pur.
pose. good water works and plenty Of
fire plugs and hose would have confined
the lire to Whites building. p
G. NJ. White & Co. had the following
insurance, placed by the Rogers Agency,
OF this city: Royal, OF England, $500 on
stock; Ohio Valley, OF Wheeling, s. 900
on building; Standard, Of Wellsburg, $l25
on tools Of workmen. The loss will be
about 81, 900 on stock and $1,000 on build.
ing. g. W. CGldwel's loss is about 800
fully insured In the Niagara, OF New York.
The others had no insurance.
The mail matter in the postofice was oil
saved, and there was no interruption Of
business.