Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-02-22
THE FIRE FIEND.
The steamer Bladen Taking Fire in
Wilmington Harbor Causes Great
Destruction.
Nearly Two aIinion Donars Loss and
Many People itomeless other
Fires Yesterday.
WILMINGTON, \. d, on rlsr.


WILMINGTON, y. G., on FisE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. p "a report reach
es here that most disastrous Are has
been raging at Wilmington, N. c., for
many hours. The telegraph wires are all
burned down, but 1t is believed that com
munication Will be restored soon, when
particulars will be forwarded. The en-
tire business portion Of the city Is said to
be in ruins.
WILMINGTON, N. G. Feb. 2i.--A de-
structlve iire occurred In the business
portion OF this city this afternoon The
loss will probably exceed a million dol.
lars. The fire originated on the river
steamer Baden, cotton laden, which set
fire to the wharf and sheds OF the Clyde
line OF steamers. A high wind was slow
ing at the time, aud the lire spread rapid
", sweeping away the business houses
on Water street for three blocks, and
many valuable residences on Front and
Second streets. Among buildings de-
stroyed were the First Methodist church,
offices OF the Atlantic coast lines, freight
depots OF the Wilmington, Columbia &
Augusta, and Wilmington s Weldon
railroad companies, Champion compress,
two large grain mills, saw mill, offices
aud warehouses; Of A. Sprout & Son,
Worth & Worth, Kerchner & Calder, s..
p. Shelter & Co., and steamer River
| Queen, and the schooner Holmes.
The steamer Bladen, plying between
this city aud Fayetteville, N. c., caught
fire this afternoon about o'clock, lust
before reaching her wharf, and owing to
the inflammable nature OF her cargo, con-
sistiug OF rosin, spirits OF turpentine and
cotton, was Immediately enyelopcd in
flames. The pilot headed her for the
nearest available wharf, and the passen-
gers succeeded In escaping, some on
boats from adjoining vessels, Others
| by jumping overheard where they
were quickly rescued. The steamer
leaned against the wharf Of the Newark
Wilmington Steamship company, and the
fire was quickly communicated TO the
shed and warehouses thereon. All III,
wharfs and sheds being saturated will
rosin and turpentine the spread OF the ilr'
was rapid, and dlspite the efforts OF thu
firemen 1t became disastrous contiagra
ton. There was gale blowing from thu
southwest and soon several blocks on thu
water front were burning furlously. A
about O'Clock the fire was got undo
control but not until IL had destroy a mil
lion and half dollars worth Of property
Starting from Chestnut street, the Ne,
York Steamship company's wharf an
warehouse is burned; next the store O
+. w. Kerchner, store and offices G
Kerscher & Calder Bros, S. L. ShottC
& Co., A. ID. Vessel, Worth & Worth,
G. Parsley, Alexander Sprent & Sor
Chadburn's lumber mill, C. C. Bonney
Co., Il. Wright's -four and grist mill:
Champion Compress aud Warehouse con
pany, freight warehouses of Wilmingto
& Weldon and Wilmington, Columbia
Augusta Railroad companies, an
, several boarding-houses were ais
DESTROYED, and In addition
the steamer Baden, the steamer Rive
Queen, Of the same line, burned to u
i waters edge The American schoon,
Lille Holmes also burned, and wi
I prove total loss. Over $250,000 wort
of goods burned in one warehous
= Owing to the sparks waited by the hif
winds, numerous private dwellin!
L caught fire, and were burned to the groun
J. including those of the Hon. George Clar
:, Col. w. =. Drinks, Mr.. solomon Ba
U and about thirty others. In addition,
=, block OF small tenements occupied
colored people was completely swe
away, although nearly mile dista
from the main fire. The general oillc
of the Atlantic Coast line were d
stroyed, with numerous valuable pape
and records. Front Street church w
also burned and is total los
y Owing to the general decentralization
cident TO the fire IL is impossible TO {
u certain tonight individual losses or
surance. The telegraph wires In I
,. street are pulled down and commune
W ton is difficult, though the manageme
% is using every possible endeavor to Ike
W service intact. SO many people q
~ burned out that fears are entertain
!, of serious distress on their account, a
" active efforts are being made to relic
~ all suffering, and quite handsome 81
US has already been raised, and others 0
contributing. The guests at the Ort
house at once raised n muniflcent puri
which is being distributed TO those m'
" In need.