davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
PLucKY YAcHTsMEN.
Fighting Fire From the Roof Of Their
Home.

Only few years ago the Portland Yacht
Club built its commodious club house on the
end Of Merchants wharf. tits most COM
Portable resort for the yachtsmen and fitted
up In elegant style When the wind changed
last night the building seemed doomed, as
Merchants wharf is the next one east of
Browns wharf. The flames leaped across
the dock in just the way they leaped to er-
lin wharf on the other side and soon the side
of the yacht club house, which is at the end
of the wharf, was on fire. Then the yachts
men began operations from the roof. As
the flames crept up the shlngled side OF the
house, the fellows on top hurled down de-
fiance in the shape Of bu 'ketfuls of water.
They made gallant fight but 1t was due to
the Hoey., that the building was finally
saved. On the water in the dock was a
great quantity of blazing lumber which had
fallen from the wharf above. Fhe little
steamer ran into the midst OF what appeared
to be in very truth sea of flame. One
stream was sent up against'the building and
another was sent down onto the decks and
sides of the little craft to keep her from be-
coming another victim of the blaze. she
stuck to her post while the fire roared on
Browns wharf and began to appear in little
spots of light on the sides of the big brown
building above the yacht club house on the
lower wharf, known as bonded warehouse
| "A. This building, two-story
structure. with fiat roof, seemed
likely so disappear in flame. Its lower
| end had already disappeared in
| the smoke from its heated sides and the fire
there was gaining considerable neadway
when the first line of hose made its appear
ance, being reeled out from Gait which
| made its way down the wharf with difficulty
through the dense crowds Of sightseers.
| Then with succession of cheers came
squad Of men dragging another line of hose.
| The fire in the warehouse was then quickly
subdued and aid rendered in saving the
| yacht club house.
When aid reached them, the yachtsmen on
the roof Of the clubhouse went inside and
commenced the task Of removing the con-
tents. The house was insured for $500
which will probably cover the loss. Had
the house burned with the valuable row
boats and other yachting accessories stored
inside, the loss would have been heavy
one.
On this wharf, in addition to the fire in the
two buildings mentioned. the flooring at one
time was all ablaze and one of the big posts
to which vessels are fastened was having
quite little confagration aud rapidly COM
mitting suicide.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06

George Matthews Of the tug Salem had
charge Of the Belknap's piDe and handled
the powerful stream dexterously. The scene
from the tug as she coursed to and fro from
wharf to wharf was magnificent. From sew
eral Of the buildings the cask heads and
shocks as the buildings burned, broke away
and rolled into the water and floated away
burning. The ends Of the three wharves
seemed solid banks Of fame and the sur
rounding wharves and Cape shore reflected
the intense light.
The bark Jno e, Chase, controlled by
Ryan & Kelsey. laid at the blazing Lumber
shed and seemed doomed. but she was finally
towed to anchorage In the upper harbor
without damage. The schooner Carrie @.
Wyer, Capt Keene, went out under sail and
1t could not be sem where she came to an
cher. The schooner Arizona owned by FL.
M. Sargent was also towed to safe anchor.
age.
The Nova Scotia brig Khiya lay below the
burned Haseltine at Berlin wharf. She was
towed to place Of safety and none too soon,
for as she left the wharf her bowsprit was
ablaze. The Khiva had a general cargo
among it being lot Of kerosene OIL Had
she burned with the schooner, the blazing
oil dropping to the water and igDiting vessels
and wharves might have caused coDhgra-
tion rivalling in extent that of 1866. As it
was. the damage to the vessel was slight
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
HEIR APPARENT FOR FOOD.
Starving Pelew Islanders Rescued al
Sea by Maine Vessel.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4.-Advices Just re-
ceived by steamer from Japan say that the
American ship Joseph S. Spinney of Thom-
ton, Maine, arrived at Hiogo, Japan, Janua.
ry g. with six Pelew Islanders, whom she
had picked up in an open sea over 200 miles
from land. November % seven men and
their old king set out to pay visit to the
chief on another island of the Pelew group.
Their craft was dugout, 80 feet long, Is
inch beam. Before they could make their
port of destination gale sprung up and they
were blown out to sea. They were without
food or water. In this fearful condition
they remained for 18 days.
On December IL the old king, faint with
hunger and mad with thirst decided that his
boy, aged 16, must be killed In order that the
others might live. Preparations for the sac
rifce were nearly completed when the sails
Of the Spinney appeared on the horizon and
the boy was saved. The men presented q
fearfnl sight. The chief was so wasted that
that the chief mate of the Spinney carried
him up the ships gangway under his arm
Before reaching Hiogo the king and one
other man died. The six survivors are some
what larger than Japanese, have coppery
skins and long flowing hair. They are tat
tooed from head to foot In gay colors. Their
chief consolation is smoking. Each has a
hole pierced in his ears in which he sticks
his pipe when not in use.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
WHARvES ABLAzE.
Disastrous Fire on the Water Front
Last Evening.
1t Started On Browns Wharf and
Leaped the Docks.
Browns the Old Berlin: and Mer.
thanIs' Blazing at Once.
Yachtsmen Fight to Save Their Burn.
ing Club House.
]. II. Hamlen & Son, COOperage,
Frank Dudley, Lumber,
Aud the Brown Estate Suffer the
Heaviest Losses.
Yachtsmen Fight to Save Their Burn.
ing Club House.
J. H. Hamlen & Son, COOpersge,
Frank Dudley, Lumber,
Aud the Brown Estate Suffer the
Heaviest Losses.
The Total Loss May Reach s2OO,OOo;
Insurance 100000.

At about 10 minutes of last night an
alarm Of fire was given from box 81 corner
of Maple and York streets, which Is begin
ming to be dreaded by the firemen. Almost
instantly broad sheet of flame shot up.
seeming to come from one of the wharves.
In a minute second alarm sounded and ev-
cry man, woman and child who was not i'm
peratively engaged elsewhere went to the
waterfront. The fire started on Browns
wharflin storage shed occupied by Mark P.
Emery. Before an alarm was given the build
ing was all afame. The first engine on the
ground connected to hydrant and ran
line of hose down Browns wharf. 1t was
not long enough Back they went for more
Down again they went with it and at last
the line reached point where If there had
been any water 1t would have had some
effect. But no water came. The water COM
pany had the street torn up and the pressure
was light. All this time the fired roared
famed by brisk northwest wind. The
Emery building was burned to shell and
began to fall in. Two cars standing on the
track caught fire and the building Of E. S.
Hamblem & Co., full to the roof with head
ings, was soon in flames. The fire worked
to the end of the wharf through coal shed
occupied by j. M. Haines, and
to the large building at the
end of the wharf, unoccupied
Browns wharf was sea of flame. No
man could face it, except at a distance, and
it was extremely long range shooting that
was done. Between Browns wharf and the
old Berlin wharf above lay the schooner
Prescott Haseltine, loaded and ready for sea.
The tug Belknap came up, but the schooner
stuck and was soon afire. The flames shot
up the rigging and touched the deck load.
From the schooner the fire spread to the Ber-
lin wharf, and the lumber storehouse of
Frank Dudley. which, with that part of the
wharf was destroyed. The fire spread No
farther in this direction, but only good work
saved the upper wharves. Streams from the
Belknap and from hydrants put on by hook
and ladder men drenched the buildings and
saved Boston & Maine wharf and all above
it.
The intense heat set the Yacht Club build
ing on Merchants wharf ablaze, but the fire.
boats Libby and Hoey were there, and the
damage was small. The next building, a
long storehouse, No. "A, occupiel by E.
Churchill & Co., then caught, but engine 3's
lines went down and soon put 1t out. The
confagration extended no further, but 1t
burned fiercely for hours, lighting up the
whole southern slope of the city and the
Cape. and seeming more like the big fire of
1866 than anything else.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
BoATs FOR SOUTH AMERICA.
Steamers Building In Pittsburg for
Colombian Waters.

PITTsBURG, February 5.-Commodore
Arthur Stegman of the United States of Co
lombia. is in Pittsburg experimenting the
construction of two steamers for use in
South American waters. The new boats are
stern wheelers. The larger one will be 1888
feet long, q feet beam, and four feet depth
of hold, and will be put in service on the
Magdalena and Cauca rivers. The other
will be "a feet long, 16 feet beam, two and a
halt feet depth of hold, to be used on the
Lebriga.
The boats will be built to run IA miles an
hour and will be fitted with compound en-
gines of the most improved type. When fin-
ished they will be shipped by.rail to New York
and from there will go by steamer to their
destination. The cost of transportation almost
equals the first cost of the boats, and will
make them very expensive by the time they
reach South America. The first one taken
down however, about is months ago, paid for
itself inside of year, and the new ones are
expected to do still better. Commodore
Stegman, who is an American and went to
Columbia just before the last revolution and
won his title there, Is engaged in the trans
p0rtati0n business. He says:
Our business is growing wonderfully,
and it won't be many years before we will
have dozen Pittsburg boats in our land.
Our trade is chilly in carrying coffee, hides,
tobacco and Peruvian bark for export and
dry goods and machinery which are import
ed -
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06

or stuck In the mud, so when the flames
leaped across the dock they found her an
easy pray. First line Of flame crept up the
tarred rigging and then the deckload burst
into blaze. Tugs could not
move her and In a few minutes she was
wrapped In flame. Meanwhile the crew,
conscious of the peril to the vessel, had has
tily removed few articles Of furniture and
apparel. What they saved was very little.
as the fire gathered headway so quickly that
the men were soon more anxious to save
themselves than anything else, for from the
blazing shooner, the fire had leaped onto the
Berlin wharf and soon the flames were
creeping among the great piles Of lumber in
the building occupied by Mr.. Frank Dudley
When the crew of the Haseltine rushd fore
the last time through this structure, along
side Of which their vessel lay, the fire arched
above their heads, having swept up under
the roof.
James Fine, member Of the crew, was
not SO familiar with the wharf and its pas
sageways as were his comrades, so, instead
of following them through the blazing build
ing, he attempted to reach place Of safety
by walking up the narrow path at its side.
short distance up the wharf he encoun-
tered fence which barred his further pro-
gress and at the same time great cloud Of
smoke rolled out Of the building and envelop-
ed:him. Fine at once did the only thing which
promised safety for him. He jumped into
the dock, landing In the mud and water up
to his waist. He then managed to Chamber
back to the top Of the wharf and on the
other side Of the fence.
The Haseltine was doomed craft. As
she burned she swung away from the wharf
and lay partially across the dock. The rig
ging soon burned away and dropped from
the masts, and then they began 20 sway back
and forth in the wind, looking like great
torches held high above the blazing mass
below. First the maintopmast fell over the
side, and then the mizZentopmast went by
the board. The wire stay held the foretop-
mast in place for some time. and the crowds
on the wharves about INDUCED in many
speculations as to how long it would stand.
Finally the long spar toppled, and then fol-
lowed its mates. Later in the night, the
tugs Belknap and Leader of Boston succeed
ed In putting out the fire on the Haseltine,
but only after the schoone had been ruined.
The captain of the burned schooner was
w. G. Kneeland; E. d. Cole was mate. and
the crew consisted of Alexander johnson,
George Tull. Charles Washington, seamen,
and Toby Leo. steward. All of these men lose
clothing and personal effects. James Fine,
after his disagreeable and cold bath. stood
oD guard. stationing himself on fiat car
surrounded by the few articles saved from
the fire. Later, these things were removed
to place of safety, and Fine was given
chance to 60 and get warm.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
A Drama Which Is Being Played at
Volunteer Mine.

NEGAUNEE, Mich, February 5.-The Vol
unteer mine at Palmer, five miles south Of
here, is just now the theatre of most ex-
citing drama. A hundred and fifty men,
armed with revolvers and knives, are con-
fronted with sheriff's posse of 80 picked
men, armed with repeating rifles and ready
to fire at the bidding of Sheriff Adams.
The strikers, emboldened by their success
in stopping the work of 200 miners, and
many of them, half crazed by cheap whis-
key, are ugly customers. Fifty men, en-
ployed as laborers at $1.65 per day, struck
for So Saturday. Monday morning they as
sembled at the shafts, with weapons. and
forcibly prevented all access to the mines.
Monday night Sheriff Adams went to Pal
mer with several deputies, but found he
could do nothing.
Shortly after his arrival, the mine-chang-
ing house was burned to the ground. Yes
ierday the pump house was attacked, and
the pumps that free the mine were stopped.
Sheriff Adams sent here and to Ishpeming
Tor men. Fifty men were secured here and
at Ishpeming, and armed with repeaters
were sent to Palmer. Meanwhile the strik-
ers had been reinforced by 100 countrymen,
all well armed and desperate. When the
posse arrived at Palmer, it was found the
strikers outnumbered< them. More men
were sent for, but up to 8 o'clock had net ar
rived at Palmer. A collision is almost GER
tain.
The rioters have openly defed the sheriff.
and greeted an interpreter from the sheriff
with volley of stones
General Russell A. Alger is one of the
owners of the mine,
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
MAINE FRUIT GROWERS.
Meeting of the State PomoIogIcaI
Society.
Especial to the Press.l


NORWAY, February 5.--The first day of
the genealogical meeting found large num-
Der in attendance at the Grange Hall. After
the address of welcome by Rev. Miss An
gell, the president, Mr.. C.H. Pope, reviewed
the work Of the year, and stated that by in
vitation of the State College directors the So
ciety is now represented on the advisory
board of that institution. He then urged
the introduction of text books into our COM
mon schools relating to the science OF agri-
culture.
The people at large knew but little of the
daily food. Farmers realize the value OF an
orchard when grown, but few have faith
enough to set and properly care for many
trees.
"Orchard MANAGEMENT was the subject
chosen by Hon. Rufus Prince of Turner, and
upon which he offered many valuable sug-
gestions.
The display of fruit was quite extensive
and represented Franklin, Cumberland,
Androscoggin, Kennebec and Oxford conn-
ties. 1t is an exhibit of great credit to the
fruit growers of the State.
Mr.. l.. FL. Blossom of Turner spoke upon
"Four acres enough" With high farming
and intense application, he said that amount
of land could be made sufficient to afford
remuneration.
Wednesday afternoon, a paper on "The
apple maggot" was read by Prof. f. l.. Har-
vey of the State College. Prof. Harvey also
presented an able paper on "Some fungus
diseases in fruit" treating Of the nature OF
fungi and receipts for fungcdes. A detailed
account of the fungi affecting the apple,
pear, plum and cherry was given. He pre-
sented series of rules which have been
found to aid somewhat in checking or de-
stroying these pests.
Prof. Harvey is an enthusiast in the field
of his Investigations and hi, labors are high
ly appreciated by the practical pomologists
of the State. The line of work he is attempt
ing since taking the chair at the State Col
lege is doing much to popularize the insti.u-
tiOn with the fruit growers.
At the Wednesday evening session paper
on "Reminiscences of the West" by ex-
President Levi Stockbridge of Amherst
Mass, was read.
The treasurer's report shows receipts for
the year, $1.53S.3 expenditures, 81, ,434 2S;
leaving balance of S9905. OF this $74 81
has been added to the permanent fund. The
executive committee is as follows: III. w.
Brown, Newbury; l.. FL. Blossom, Turner
s. FL. True, New Gloucester.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
HOW THE LUMBER BURNED.
A Big Blaze Down at the End Of the
Berlin Wharf.

The building occupied by Mr.. Dudley on
the end of the old Berlin wharf was wooden
structure, with high, pitched roof. 1t was
stored to the caves with pine lumber.
Through the centre ran the railroad track
and In the passage way thus made a great
crowd Of men and boys soon collected tn see
the blaze on the other wharf. They didn't
stay long. 1t was only few minutes until
the schooner Haseltine. alongside, was In
flames and a moment after the lumber build
ing was on fire, driving the crowd out In
considerable haste. A moment later, the
clang of bells from up the wharf scattered
the crowd again and the handsome white
horse drawing the hose cart of Engine Com
pany, No. 2, dashed down the wharf. A
moment later came one of the old hose reels.
spinning out another line Of pipe and in
short order, the streams already in play
were reinforced and the battle with the
flames on the Berlin wharf had begun In
earnest. 1t was soon too hot to go far into
the building, from which the smoke rolled in
dense black clouds, but the fire
laddies maintained their positions in the
doorway and sent the water flying
into the mass of fire beyond them. Here
was one of the prettiest sights Of the even
ing-if the destruction of property can be
described as pretty sight. The dense
smoke which poured from every part Of the
building was soon followed by a bright
sheet of flame which scared skyward, in
creasing the illumination caused by the blaze
on Browns wharf. The fire was confined to
the building in which it first started on this
wharf and the structure beneath it. As it
progressed, the building dropped away and
revealed the great piles of blazing lumber,
the warmth from which made the upper part
Of the wharf very comfortable post of OBJ
servation. The bright light made objects on
the Boston & Maine wharf. to the west, stand
cut with great distinctness. Here in the
brick buildings was stored quantity of lime,
These buildings, during the latter part of the
evening. were kept cool by well directed
streams.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06

CONCLUDED ON THE FOURTH PAsE.l
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
THURSDAY

hotel for the accommodation Of his race on
the government lands at at ..] Old Point. The
staa asd Is e aSges Hotel is bss0ss soa II II the e
nrettiest in the South Mr.. John Chamber.
lin. the well known New York and Washing
ton hotel man, obtained from the leaislatnre
two years ago permission to build new ho.
tel at Old Point, but Il the scheme to make
as we'll as white people is put into execution
Mr.. Chamberlin may alter his plans.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
NINE KILLED BENEATH TONS OF SNOW.
the Town Of Burke, Idaho, made
Ruin by AvaIanches.
Terror Stricken, the People Have Fled
TO Other Places.
Boats In Place of Street Cars In Port
land, Oregon.

SPOKANE FALLS. WASH, February g.
Burke, Idaho, in the mining district has
been nearly destroyed by disastrous ava
lanches. Half of the business houses are in
ruins. Three men were killed and the terror
stricken inhabitants have fled to the towns
of Gem and Wallace fearing repetition of
the disaster. The Inflated town lies
in narrow gulch through which
the canyon runs. 1t had
about 200 inhabitants. Yesterday another
disastrous avalanche swept down upon
boarding house connected with Custer mine,
situated upon Nine Mile creek, about five
miles from Burke. The boarding house was
full of miners, and six were Killed. The
Others had a narrow escape. A number
were more or less injured.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
MAINE INSURANCE.
Figures show O Prosperous Year
Guy Turner'S Successor.

AUGUSTA, ME-. February 5.-Returns have
been received from all outside fire and
marine insurance companies doing business
in Maine by Insurance Commissioner Smith.
The year past was prosperous to the COM
panies. The total Insurance written in 1889
was $97,975,6S The total premiums re-
ceived were 81, ,426, ,59O.S7; total losses paid,
S6S7, 1861. This indicates that the percent
as per cent. and on marine about 81. 80 Last
year the ratio of losses to premiums on FIRE
was 1898 per cent, and the ratio Of marine
losses to premiums 80 % per cent.
Charles N, Hamlin was elected city treas
urer In place of Guy Turner, who resigned
after recently attempting suicide.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
WATER IN THE STREETS.
First News From Portland, ore,,
Tells of Flood.

CHICAGO, February 5.--For several days
past Portland and other points in Oregon
have been practically cut off from telegraph
ic communication. A telegram was received
from Portland this afternoon by C. R. Hos
mer of the Canadian Pacific The water is
now flooding First street and is knee deep.
All traffic in the streets is suspended and the
only means of communication is by small
boats. The Pacific Postal Telegraph Com.
pany's office floor is covered with water and
the river is still rising. There is no news
from the south.
SAN FRANCISCO, Febauary ga despach
from Jacksonville, Ore, says: A phenome-
nal rain storm has prevailed in southern
Oregon since Friday, which. in connection
with the melting of SHOWS in the mountains
caused a greater flood than any known
since the country was settled. The damage
to Southern Oregon cannot be estimated yet
Postal communication is so uncertain and
limited that only surmises will be made of
the ravages of the water on the line of the
numerous tributaries of the Rogue river.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
woRKINcMEN's INTERESTS.
Emperor William on the Question Of
Labor and Capital.

BERLIN, February 5.-The Emperor has
issued orders to Baron Won Berlepsch, the
new minister of commerce, directing the ex
tension of the application of the system of
workmen's insurance and the opening of en-
quiry into all trade laws affecting factory la
Dor. The Emperor afirms that it is the duty
of the state to so regulate the duration and
nature of labor as to ensure the health and
morality, and especially all the economic
wants of the workingmen, and preserve
their claims to equality before the law. For
the promotion of peace between working.
men and their employers, steps must be TAX
en- toward the establishment of these meas
ureS.