The Portland daily press., 1890-07-14
THE FIRE HAD IT ALL ITS OWN WAY
In the largest Wall Paper Factory in
the United States.
The Big Building and Much OF thu
Surrounding Property Destroyed.
A Loss by the Flames Of $500, 600 IN
Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, July 13.-One OF tho
most destructive fires in this city for several
| years broke out about this morning In the
turning and planning mill Of II. t. Atkinson
on Tenth street and Susquehanna ayenue.
The wind was blowing from the southwest
and carried the flames across Tenth street
to the east side Of Atkinson's humber yard
which caught fire. While the firemen were
hghtlng the fire here the wind veered around
toithe southest and the flames, fed by the sheds
and dry lumber which surrounded the plan
ing min, were carried against the extensive
wall paper manufacturing establishment Of
Carey Brothers, separated from Atkinson's
mill property by a narrow street. In antIeI-
patton Of this, about dozen EMPLOYEES stood
Win nose In hand ready to pour water unon
tne Dlaze, put as soon as the fire gained ems
trance 70 the building IL spread with sneh
startling rapidity that the men were cam.
pened 70 drop the hose and fee for their
nves. Inc upper floors were filed with pa-
PET, printed and spread on racks 10 dry, and
sansi ans burned almost like powder. The long
naming sheets were caught by the wind and
carried blazing through the air distance in
some instances Of half mile or more. In
slde OF half an hour Carey Brothers estab-
hsiIdIs hhsnilnens was complete mass OF ruin. The
building extended from 10th to nth streets
distance OF 800 feet, and from Nevada III
Colona streets, 100 feet II was five Stories
ngn. The Nevada ana ColOna street walls
ing. 's""u
scarcely any attempt was made bv the fra
men TO check the flames In Carey Brothers,
building, as they realized that their efforts
would be OF no avail. They DEVOTED them
selves to SAVING the property which sur-
rounded It, Rows Of small houses oeeupied
mainly by employees Of Carey Brothers Stood
TO the east and north Of the blazing
structure. Only By almost superhuma1
snUrss sronts ~ .I Mere are S tneSe s saved. The
the. furniture In those on Nevada street
soaked with water. When the north WeanN
fell, the bricks piled up against those hoases
and the frightened occupants made their es-
half dressed, ran through the streets terror
stricken. Thousands OF people surrounded
the burning property and gazed at the gor-
geous effect produced by the combustion OF
ture OF wall paper: Meanwhile the planning
null was completely destroyed by the flames
Inc hremen succeeded In quenching the
flames In the lumber yard after the contents
were partly destroyed.
Carey Brothers estimate their loss at $500
600. The building cost $4,000 and the
stock, machinery, patterns, designs, ETC.,
were worth 100000. The insurance is
100000. Mr.. Atkinson places his loss at
between $4,000 and $4,000 on t he planning
mill property, stable and lumber yard. The
insurance is S26, 500. The dwelling houses
on Nevada street were damaged to the
extent Of $1,000 and other
small losses to surrounding prop
erty will aggregate $1,000 more,
making total very near 100000 The ori-
gin OF the fire is mystery. 1t was dlscov-
cred by police sergeant making his rounds.
Carey Brothers watchman claims the fire
started In the brick stable owned by Mr.. At
kinson, and situated to the north OF the mill.
1t is rumored several men were drinking
and carousing In the stable, and the flames
broke out after they had departed. The FIRE
marshal Is making an investigation.
Carey Brothers factory was probably the
most complete establishment Of the kind In
fbe <{ted States, II not In the world. All
sre,,ol mSsm paper were manufactured,
ga snduJs ~ oI Wan were packed with goods
intsndeedS e sae store s roony the coming fall and
spring. About 200 n.sn' nad theIr bnild-
ing a6EGes.d. The firm cOnslderss was posi-
bic to make near ire-prooG mainfal1ed a
complete fire brigade