The Democratic advocate., 1891-04-25
A s12, 900 FIRE IN WESTMINSTER.
Complete Destruction of the Furniture Estab-
lishment of ]. Geiselman Son-Damage
to other Property.

The hottest fire Westminster has known for
some years occurred yesterday morning, and
completely destroyed the furniture factory
and warerooms of J. Geiselman & Son, on
the corner of Liberty and Green streets, and
damaged the Hess property, across Green
street, occupied by William Ii. Kanne as a
carriage and wagon factory, to some extent.
The cooper shop of w. S. Myer Il Bro. was
damaged somewhat by the heat.
But for the abundant water supply and an
efficient fire department the mill property,
the Hess building and several other buildings
would have been destroyed, involving loss
of probably 100000. Too much praise can
not be bestowed upon the fremen. They re-
sponded promptly, and no paid department
could have worked more efficiently. The
streams from the three nozzles that played
upon the burning building and adjoining prop
erty were a little weak, but from what cause
is not known. There were five feet Of water
in the reservoir, but only seven inches were
consumed. Word was sent to the engineer,
who soon had his fire started and was ready
to pump, but the supply was sufficient. No
amount of water could have saved the furni-
ture establishment, and the fire department
was able to prevent the spread of the flames.
The fire was an exceedingly hot one, and had
gained considerable headway before discovery,
up to one of the front doors and turning water
into the interior. So intense was the heat,
when the blacksmith shop of the Hess prop
erty was abaze, that the nozzlemen had to
seek shelter behind n piece of fencing that
was covered by honeysuckle. To eXtingush
the flames at the shop was but the work of 4
few minutes, and then attention was given to
the Geiselman property.
A light breeze was blowing from the north,
and the flames were sent almost directly
towards the grain elevator of W. S. Myer
Bro. Everybody expected it to become a
prey to the fire. Had it once caught, it is
probable the destruction would have been
complete. The insurance Of the mill property
is about $50 900, and this amount was saved
TO the insurance companies by the lire de-
partment.
The fire was discovered about 3. Is o. clock,
a. m., by night watchman Fowler, and at
3. 20 the bell on the Fire Department Build
ing gave the alarm. The three hose com
panies and the hook and ladder company
responded quickly. The latter company
could do but little until the flames were par
TALLY subdued, and then they aided materially
in tearing down parts of the factory.
The Hess property was damaged but
slightly, but Mr.. Kanne's loss will reach
about 5000, damage TO stock. He is insur-
ed, and the blacksmith shop is badly charred
on two sides.
The damage TO the cooper shop of W. 5.
Myer & Bro, is very slight, being confined to
the cornice and was caused by heat.
The destruction of the furniture factory and
warerooms is complete, nothing being saved
but the books, safe and carriage. The
contents, all destroyed, included two pianos,
three organs, twenty sewing machines, lot
of caskets and hearse, a large lot Of finished
furniture and large lot Of lumber, paints,
varnishes, &c. There was an insurance on
the building for 81, 500 in the Carroll County
Mutual, aud 81 900 in the Commercial Union
of London. England; 81 500 on stock in the
Merchants, of Newark N. j.; $1,000 on
stock in the Phoenix, of Hartford, Connect
cut; $500 on furniture, tools, &c, in the
factory in the Pennsylvania Fire, of Phila-
delphia; $500 on the personal furniture of
Charles A. Geiselman stored in the building,
in the Merchants, of Newark; 5000 on the
furniture, wearing apparel, &C., of Mrs. An
ME J. Garrison, of Norfolk, Va, stored in
the warehouse, in Pennsylvania, Of Philadel-
phia. Total insurance on building and con-
tents, $500. All the companies are rep
resented by James Il. Smith, except the
Carroll County Mutual. There is an insur-
ance of $525 on the Hess property in the
Phoenix, also represented by Mr.. Smith.
The senior membeE Of the firm of j. Geisel-
man & Son was out of town when the fire
occurred, therefore what their plans for the
future are cannot be learned. 1t is thought
they will rebuild, and, if so, the wish has been
expressed that the building be made large
enough to accommodate the firm on the first
floor, and the second be converted into a
public hail for concerts, entertainments, &c.
The location is central, and one of the greatest
needs of the city is a suitable place for amuse-
ments and public gatherings.