The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-02-11
BAN BE RGER
HALTER AND FURRIER,
THE FIRE RECORD.
Burning of a Large Chemical Establishment
Involving Loss of 35OO,OOO.
16 East Washington St

Burning of q Large Chemical Establishment,
Involving Loss of S5OO,OOO.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 10.-The extensive
establishment of John Wyeth g. Brother,
manufacturing chemists, at 1412, 1414 and
14l6 Walnut street, was completely de-
stroyed by fire to-day. The building was
gutted, and the loss will be between $780,
600 and $500. 900, nearly covered by insur-
ance. The fire created the greatest excite
ment in the neighborhoOd. Families
hastily packed up their most valuable pos
sessions and moved to safer quarters. The
firm of Wyeth & Brother occupied the
whole of the large double marble;front
building at Nos. 1412 and 1414, except the
front part of the ground floor, which was
leased by Frank +. Morgan, who conducted
a retail drug store. The brown stOne-front
building, No. 1416, was also occupied by
Wyeth. the ground floor being used
and Offices on the second floor,
of all these buildings On this floor, also,
was the stock-roOm, where the. goods
manufactured were stored until sold, and
1.lent. The third and fourth floors were de-
voted to the manufacturing department.
The cellars were used for storing the raw
material. By the time the engines arrived
the fire had gained tremendous headway,
and, although the building was provided
for preventing the spread of fire. in less
than forty minutes the whole double build
ing was mass of flames from Walnut
street to Brighton street, about 80 feet in
the brands toward Broad street, and many
fell on the Hotel Stratford,. to the great
alarm of the guests. The place was sur
rounded by firemen, who placed ladders
against the caves of adjoining houses, and,
swarming up with lines of hose, soon had
cfr Of far n 0 N
building. Several explosions occurred,
causing the firemen to run. for
their lives. Shortly after 2 o'clock the
roof of No. 1404 Walnut street, the annex or
the Stratford Hotel, was discovered to be
on fire, creating immediate alarm. excite
ment and hustle throughout the hotel. The
fire apparatus of the house was quickly put
into service and the guests began packing
up their belongings. The damage by fire
was wholly confined to the upper stories of
tains carpets, furniture and clothing of the
occupants being damaged wholly by water.
The fire originated in the front part of the
cellar of 1412. Its origin is mystery. The
bustible chemicals somehow came into con-
tact and started the fire, which spread
rapidly through the crowded cellar.
During the progress of the fire the central
portion of the double building fell, burying
several firemen. George Spowers was taken
out dead. and Abraham Savery and VIM.
Buzzard injured, the latter quite seriously.
Wyeth & Co.'s loss on buildings and ma
chinery and stock will aggregate $500, 900,
on which there is an insurance of over $780,
O00 Mr.. George G. Boldt, the proprietor of
the Hotel Stratford, estimates his loss on
furniture, carpets, bric-a-brac, etc.. at S40 :
600; covered by insurance. MOrgan's loss is
S35, 900; insurance not known.
Other Fires.
NEW YORK, Feb 10.-Fire broke out in
the Standard Oil Company's works at Con-
stable Hook, n. j., tonight, and the main
buildings and tanks burned for several
hours. The Kill Won Kull and the lower
part of New York bay were brightly illu-
minated. The attempts to quench the
flames on the part of the tiremen proved
futile. The loss is estimated at between
$4,000 and $4,000
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 1O.-The bottom
dropped out of a pot filled with molten
glass, in the glass-works of James j. Muir
ray 81 Co., this morning setting fire to the
building and doing $4,000 worth of dam
age. The firm employs 100 persons, most
of hom will be temporarily thrown out of
employment.
BRADDoCK, Pa, Feb. 10.-The large dry
goods store and residence of w. A. McDav-
lit. together with their contents, was en-
tirely consumed by fire this evening. Loss,
$4,000; partly insured.