The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-09-11
NEARLY A Ho1AcAusT.
A Fire at SteubsyillS That Nearly BORDERS
ON u Dlsaster,

A Fire at Steubeyille That Nearly b0rdeFl
on u Disaster.
Special DiGpGleh TO the InltlligtHner,
sTEuBEvlLLE, o., Sept, lO,-The Herale
says A few minutes before A o'clock thil
morning an alarm Of fire was sent into the
Reliance and Ph0uix engine houses, and
a moment later those efficient companies
were tearing along the streets at rapid
speed In the direction OF the Fifth ward,
where the fire had been located, Tbs
alarm was oCCasionsd by the burning oi
the dwelling house and store room Of
James F. Stephens, situated on Sixth
avenue, between Madison and Franklin,
At this early hour, as some totler was
going to work, in passing along the scene
Of the conasgrstion, he discovered flames
and smoke issuing in great volumes from
Stephens store room. He Immediately
gave the alarm, which was heard by Mr..
Bueche, q neighbor, and Officer Gordon,
About the same time, Mr. Stephens, who
with bis family occupy the front second
story room, directly over the store, as q
sleeping room, was also awakened by q
feeling OF autuCstion, aud was horrihed to
find the flames licking up the carpet and
furniture around the bed, He took In the
situation at q glance, and with great pres
enCe Of mind, awakened his family, which
consists Of his wife and four children, the
youngest, 9 baby four years old,
PaTalyEed with fright, the children
started lor the stairs, which lead up from
the storeroom, but found 10 their utter
CONSERVATION that all means OF escape in
that direction had bsen cut of by the
flames. BY this time the flames had gained
great headway In the room, and some
thing had to be done quickly. Mr.. Step.
hens took the mattress on which he had
been sleeping and threw 1t out Of the win
dew to the pavement below, and after his
wife had jumped from the window on 1t,
he dropped the children one at . time to
the pavement. The four.year.old baby
was somewhat injured by the fall, but the
others escaped injury. When Stephens
himself jumped lie missed his footing
and feel on the side Of his left ankle, CIV
ing that member severe wrench, which
will incapaciate him for time.
While the family were fighting for their
lives, Officer Gordon hurried to the Acme
klb1o WuIAn lOl tlAo luiPpso VI tSACPhOh-
Ing to the fire department, but finding
the office door locked, he was unable 10
reach them by this means, and was COM
PEELED TO run 10 the Reliance engine
house where he notified the company ol
the fire.
Both companies made admirable time
and had 1t not been for their activity the
entire square, which 10 built up Of frame
houses, might have suffered by the red
demon. The house was completely gutted
by the flames, and Mr., Stephens stock ol
groceries, household goods, clothes and in
fact everything in the house and store
were completely destroyed. Tho walls ol
the house are left standing and Fire Mar
shall NiCholson Is Of the opinion that they
can be saved.
The loss will reach $500. On the
house there Is All insurance Of $500 in the
Boatman's Company OF Pittsburgh and
the store was insured for about the same
amount in the Columbiana Mutual.
Mr.. S:ephens had served thirty years as
a volunteer fireman In this city, but says
this was the closest call he ever had.