The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-22
A MILLION AND A HALF LOST
The Business Portion Of Wilmington,
N. G., Swept by a Destructive Fire.
Business Houses, Railway and Steamship
Offices, Churches and Many Residences
Burned Estimated Loss, ST, 100000.

WILMINGTON, N. c., Feb. 21.-A destructive
IRE occurred In the business portion OF this city
this afternoon The loss will probably exceed
one million dollars The fire originated on the
river steamer Bladen, cotton laden, which set
Gre the wharf and sheds of the Clyde line OF
steamers. A high wind was blowing at the
time. and the FIRE spread rapidly. sweeping
away the business houses on Water street for
4hree blocks. and many valuable residences on
front and Second streets Among the buildings
destroyed were the First Methodist Church, the
Offices Of the Atlantic Coast line, the freight
eepots Of the Wilmington. Columbia & Augusta,
and the Wilmington & Weldon railroad COM
panies, the Champion compress, two large grain
mills. saw.mill. the Offices and warehouses of
A. Sprunt g Son, Worth & Worth, Kerchner g.
Calder Bros. g. P. Shelters s. Co.. and the
steamer River Queen, and the schooner Holmes
A detailed report Of the fire says The steamer
Bladen. plying between this city and Fayette-
vile, N. c., caught FIRE this afternoon about
o'clock. Just before reaching her wharf. and.
owing to the inAammable nature Of her cargo.
consisting of spirits of turpentine and cotton,
was Immediately enveloped in flames. The pilot
headed her for the nearest available wharf, and
the passengers succeeded in escaping, some by
boats from adjoining vessels, and others by
jumping overheard, when they were quickly res
eued. The steamer landed against the
wharf Of the New York and Will
mington Steamship Company, and the FIRE was
quickly communicated to the sheds and ware
houses thereon. All the wharves and sheds be-
ing saturated with rosin and turpentne. the
spread of the fire rapid, and, despite the Of
forts Of the firernen. became q disastrous con-
Aagration. There was gale blowing from the
southwest, and soon the blocks on the water
front were burning furiously
At about O'clock the fire was got under
control but not until it had destroyed million
and half dollars worth Of property. Starting
from Chestnut street, the New York Steamship
Company's wharf and warehouses were burned,
next the store Of F. w. Kerchner, the store and
Co. A. D. Vessel, Worth & Worth, o. g. Parsley,
Alex. Sprunt & Son, Chadburns lumber-mil C.
G. Bonney & Co., B. Wright's -four and grist-
mills. The Champion Compress and Warehouse
Company, the freight warehouses Of the Will
mington g. Weldon and the Wilmington, Column
bia g. Augusta railroad companies, and several
boarding houses were also destroyed, and, in
addition TO the steamer Bladen, the steamer
1nver Queen, of the same line, was burned to
the waters edge. The American schooner
Lilly Holmes was also burned. and will prove
total loss Over $3.50, 900 worth Of goods were
burned in one warehouse. Owing to sparks
waited by the high wind, numerous private
dwellings, caught Ere and were burned to the
ground, Including those Of Hon. George Clark,
Col W. P Brink, Mr.. Solomon Baer and
about thirty others. In addition, block
of small tenements occupied by colored
people was completely swept away. although
nearly mile distant from the main FIRE. The
general Office of the Atlantic Coast line was de-
stroyed, with numerous valuable papers and
records. The Frontstreet Methodist Church
was also burned, and is total loss. Owing to
the general Generalization, 1t is impossible to
ascertain tonight the individual losses or insur
anoe. The telegraph wires In the streets were
pulled down, and communication Is difficult.
though the management Is using every possible
,endeavor to keep the service intact
| 80 many poor people are burned out that fears
arc entertained Of serious distress on this &C.
count and active efforts are being made to re-
aisve all suffering. Quite handsome sum has
Lalrsady been raised and others are contributing.
kTho guests OF the Orleans House alone raised
rmunincent purse. which is being distributed to
Hhose most In need.