Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-03
MIGHT HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
Narrow Escape of Martins Ferry From
q DISASTROUS Fire,

Narrow Escape of Martins Ferry From
q Disastrous Fire.
Yesterday afternoon, about o'clock,
fire which for time threatened a large
amount of property with destructi on, broke
out in the upper story of Mrs. Elizabetl
Boyd's large frame stable located on The
alley between Fourth aud Fifth streets. neal
Walnut, Martiu's Ferry. 1t was first dis
covered by n. R Smylie and Frank Stew
art, who was sitting in Mr.. Smylie's shop
on Fifth street. The two gentlemen
BOUNDED AN ALARM
at once aud made all possible haste to the
scene to liberste Mr. ]. Roses horse
which was kept in the building. Wher
they arrived the entire upper part Of the
building wsSin flames and there was no hops
of saving it or the stables of James Kerr
and W. R Ratcliff, which faced the alley
on the opposite side, and which were built
close together. In few minutes large
crowd had assembled and the three stables
mentioned we're q mass OF wreathing flames
With the wind carrying the heat and sparks
almost over the residences of Messrs. Rat
cliff and Kerr and the millinery store Of
Mrs. Francis McCord. The attention Of
the crowd was turned to the saving OF the
houses and the Mayor
TELEPHoSED TO WHEELING
for fire engine. Before the engine ar
rived, however, the FIRE had burned the
stables down and the danger was practically
over. The Hope and another hose rec
came to the rescue but were not needed
the Niagara engine and reel having re
ceivsd an order at Bridgeport 10 proceed
no further. At the time the engine was
eco, Tor the destruction of the entire square
Rs far as Hanover street and perhaps
above seemed i.eyitabls. The flames
licked the very root and cornice Of Mr..
Rs,clifFs house and made it 90 hot tina;
the men on top Of Kerrs house had to
leave, all except CHARLES Fetty, who stayed
and earned himself laQreis by his pluck
and bravery in facing the danger which
seemed so imminent. The Exchange
bank building was on fire twice and it vas
thought it would nave to 90 as there was
no means at hand to put water on it. An
derson Rslston's tao story frame building,
occupied by DR.. Ball and Harry Wether-
aid, was
TWICE on FIRE,
but was saved from material harm. Trees
fences and coal sheds were burning hun.
dred yards away and it was feared that the
conAsgration might break out in another
locality and make the FIRE more general,
in which event no doubt almost the entire
upper end of the town on the hill would
have been consumed. The goods and fur.
uiture in Mrs. McCord's store were carried
across the street into Mr.. Oliver Patker's
lot and ono wagon load taken to Dill
~orth's store for safe keeping. They were
returned after the FIRE. She was injured
for $500 in q Dayton company, and her
loss will amount to about 800 in break
sge from rough usage. James Kerr's
household goods we're taken saresS the
stree, into Mr. Parker's lot, but came very
nearly being destroyed BY the grass near
here taking Ere. A quarter Of beef was
carried out BY some one and from indics-
ions he
IS STILL Carrying It,
y it hiss not returned. Mr.. Kerr's loas 10
,re,ty heavy, his stable being uninsured
nd q total loss, and bis house was badly |
,sed up inside Of people carrying water
trough it. :,