Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-02-14
DRUG WORKS BURNED.
Wyeth's Huge Mandatory at Philadea-
mia Burned-Fires Elsewhere.

WyetnS huge ManuIactOry AT IhhdSchs
phia Burned-Fires Elsewhere.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb 1.-The ex-
tensive establishment of John Wyeth &
Bro, manufacturing chemists, at 14l2,
1414 and 1416 Walnut street was COM
pletely destroyed by fire yesterday, and
the loss will be between 100000 and $780,
900, nearly covered by Insurance.. The
fire created the greatest excitement in the
neighborhood, families hastily packing
their most valuable possessions and NOV
ing to safer quarters
The firm of Wyeth & Bro. occupied the
whole of the large double marble front
building at 1412 and 1414, except the front
part of the ground floor, which was leased
by Frank F. Morgan, who conducted
retail drug store The brown stone front
building, 14l6, was also occupied by
Wyeth, the ground floor being used as an
extension to the salesroom and offices on
the second floor of these buildings. On
this floor also was the stock from where
the goods manufactured were stored until
sold and in the rear part was the packing
department. The third and fourth floors
were devoted to the manufacturing de-
partment. The cellars were used for
storing the raw material.
flames had gained tremendous headway
although the building was provided with
iron doors and the best devices known for
preventing the spread of fire, in less than
forty minutes the whole double building
was mass of flames from Walnut street
to Brighton street about $50 feet in the
rear. A breeze from the west carried the
brands toward Broad street and many fell
ia ntal Sfrot 10 fho oil
of the guests. The place was surrounded
by firemen, who placed ladders against
the caves of the adjoining houses and
swarming up with lines OF hose soon had
several streams of water playing upon the
building. Several explosions occurred,
causing the firemen to run for their lives.
Shortly after two O'Clock the roof of 1404
Walnut street.-the annex of the Stratford
Hotel-was discovered to be on fire, Great
ing immediate alarm, excitement and
hustle throughout the hotel. The fire ap-
paratus of the house was quickly put into
service and the guests began packing up
their belongings. The damage by fire was
wholly confined - the upper stories of the
annex, the lower floors with the curtains,
carpets, furniture and clothing being
damaged wholly by water.
the cellar of 1412. Its origin is a mystery.
The theory generally advanced is that two
combustibe chemicals somehow came into
contact and started the fire, which spread
rapidly through the crowded cellar. Dur
ing the progress of the fire the central
portion of the double building fell, bury
ing several firemen. George Powers was
taken out dead and Abraham Savery and
4 -
seriously.
SUSPECTED INCENDIARISN
NEW YORK, Feb. IA fire occurred at
three O'Clock yesterday morning in the
basement of the large tenement, No.
Hester street, occupied by twenty families.
The fire was quickly discovered by be-
lated lodger and extinguished 1t was
found that an attempt had been made to
burn and blow up the building. Bundles
of rags soaked in oil, fuse and packages of
powder were arranged for the purpose.
The police are investigating the matter.
STANDARD OIL WORKS BURNED.
New YORK, Feb. 11.-Fire broke out in
the Standard Oil Company's works at Con-
stable Hook, y. j., last night and the main
buildings and tanks burned for several
hours. The Kill Won Kull and the lower
illuminated. The attempt to quench the
flames on the part Of the firemen proved
futile. The loss was estimated at between
$50 900 and $4,000.
GLASS WORKS BURNED.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 1.-THE bottom
dropped out of pot filled with molten
glass, in the glass works of James J. MUIR
ray & Co., at Trenton avenue and Culvert
street, this city, last evening. setting fire
to the building and doing 5000 worth of
damage. The firm employs 100 persons,
most of whom will be temporarily thrown
out of employment.
TOWBOAT BURNED.
CAIRO, ILL.,, Feb 1.-The towboat Pearl,
owned by Peter Conrad, of st. Louis, laid
up at Mound City, caught fire from the
cook house yesterday afternoon and burned
to the waters edge and sunk. She was
valued at SIS, 900; partly insured.
HOTEL BURNED.
ALTOONA, Pa, Feb 1.-The Hotel Hum
bert, a large and popular summer resort
on the dividing ridge, near Cresson
Springs, was totally destroyed by fire last
evening. Loss, $50, 1000; partially insured
The fire was caused by defective flue.