Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-09-18
STAFFORD IN FLAMES.
An Opportune Rain Saves the
Town From Destruction.
WILMINGTON TO THE RESCUE.


AIorrow's Block, the Masonic and odd
Fellows Halls and a Score of other
Buildings Barned-Negrocs Listlessiy
View the Fire But steal the Salvage.
At 100 o'clock this morning fire broke
out in Seaford, and at A 80 o'clock had
entirely destroyed an entire square
of stores and houses situated on
the north side of Main street. about
half way between the Delaware
railroad and the Colbourne House
The loss will probably aggregate between
$50, 600 and $50, 900. Details have not
been received at this writing and the loss
may be as much as 800, 900.
Swept East and West.
The FIRE broke out, so one report says
In the rear Of A. j. Phillips store aud
soon getting beyond control, swept east
and west, destroying everything in its
course. The residents of the town were
awakened by hoarse cries of FIRE" and
jumped affrighted from their beds to find
the flames endangering the whole town.
A he upper stories of must OF the stores
that were burned were occupied as dwell
ings, and the people who lived in them
escaped partly dressed. many losing their
clothing in the flames.
No Engine I'm the Town.
Bucket brigades were formed and man
worked heroically to save their homes
and property. There is no fire engine ia
the town, but the hook and ladder truck
was hauled out and its apparatus used to
some effect. There was a hose carriage in
the town but II was not IN working order
and without an engine was useless.
Engines From Wilmington.
About o'clock this morning a tele
gram for help was received in this city
and one ordering train prepared was re-
ceived by the Delaware. Division train dis
patcher Chief Engineer Of the Fire De
partment McCracken ordered out the Re
lance and Friendship engine
and at 4 o'clock they left this
city with members Of the companies
for the scene of the fire. The special
train was drawn by engine No. 63, K
Nugent, engineer aud John Fleming con
ductor. There was some delay in getting
the FIRE engines off, the train was ready
at o'clock 1t arrived at Seaford at G. 81
o'clock and the Wilmington fremeI
found the fire under control. They re
manned on the ground however and rem
dered what assistance they could.
Rain Saved the Town.
There was but little wind during tn
night and rain fell continuously
thoroughly wetting the crowd
that watched the destruction ant
the men that worked to check the patl
of the fire. Everything was satur
ated with water from the rain
of the past week and this is, doubtless
what saved the town Edward Scott, H
j. Miffiin, Thomas Truman and L A
Ross, the crew OF Conductor Thoms
Hawkins's train, which laid at Seafor
last night, wore out their clothes and di
great work in checking the fire.
Following is a list Of the owners {
property destroyed ]. B Morrow,
dwelling. 3 store houses and a hall; G
Dolby, lot Of store goods; j. Piepert,
lot OF store goods; F. A. Shipley, dru
store; w. p. Robinson, or
Gerry store Masonic Hall. Office of W.
Allen; w. A. Howard, dwelling al
jewelry store; A. Greenabaum, clothiI
store; Odd Fellows Hall r S. Woole
Office; J. Harris, barber shop; A.
Phillips, store; Miss X. Weltey, mill
merry store.
A large portion Of the goods and fnrn
ture in the stores and houses were save
Everything is well protected by insu
ance.