The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-29

on the burning buildings, IL seemed to
have but little effect In checking the
spread of the 1ames. Il was reported
that several horses had been burned,
but the report could not be verified,
When the watchman struck the
alaIm, the door of the fire box re-
lmained open. and several persons see-
ing this, and finding that the flames
were spreading, struck alarm after
alarm, until at least half the people In
Wilmington were attracted to the
scene. Every available spot on both
sides of lhe Christlana was occupied
by men, women and children, and it
is probable that there was never so
many people at a fire in this city be-
fore. Third street bridge was crowded
to such an extent as to be almost Inn
passable, and when the ilremen were
obliged to cross with their hoss CARTS
for more hose, IL was only with the
greatest difficulty that thoy succeeded
in getting over, without running over
some one.
Vast columns OF smoke, that could
be seen for many miles rolled high In
the air, and conveyed the impression
that all of South Wilmington was
ablaze, The crowd on Hcaid street
finally became so great thas 1t was
found necessary to stretch ropes to
keep them back. both for their own
safety. aud to prevent thelr tnterfer-
ling with the tiremen.
The fence on two sides OF the COM
pany's burning property remained in
tact, and every entrance was careful lily
guarded by police officers to prevent
interference. Before the gates were
guarded, however, thousands of peo-
'lple had gone inside tho yards. Grad.
iually, however, they, went out, and
when once out they were out for good,
as the officers would allow no one to re-
turn. Only tho flremen and tho re-
,porters were allowed to enter the
grounds.
The police were on the ground at
nm early hour and performed efficient
service In assisting tho iiremen, by
keeping the crowd back so that they
would not interfere with them.
|, The fire will throw at least 400 men
.,out of work, but will not interfere
with any contracts made by the com.
lpany, as they will be enabled to I'LL
them ut their large works on this side
Iof the Christiana. The work OF re.
building will be commenced as soon
as the insurance Is adjusted. and the
mills will be started up again us soon
as possible.
The total loss on the properties de
stroyed, or damaged, will reach al
least $l56,000, as follows: Diamond
State Iron Company, Sl5O,000; W. Il.
.iTuchton's barrol factory, g., 0u0 damage
to houses on Heald street, 81 900; b. IL
Q. freight cars, 5000. Tho loss to the
Diamond State Company may however
, amount to S200, 900 or even more.
The greater part of this loss is, how
ever, covered by insurance.; conse
,lquently the workmen, who have no in
.IsuIance for their wages, and nothing
to depend upon except their daily la.
Dor, will, In the end, lie the most affect
led by the fire. Four hundred men are
thrown out of employment, and as
, their average wages is about Sll 50 pei
week, II means weekly loss to them
Iof "a, 900.
:. At the time when the fire was raging
flercest and 1t was thought that the 10
cal department would be unable tc
, battle the flames, word was sent tC
Chester for aid. Two companies re-
.Isponded to the call, and persons who
went to Philadelphia on the I. .06 o'clocL
train saw two companies loading theil
apparatus on gondOla cars. When tht
engines had been loaded and every
thing was in readiness for coming L
! this city, word was received that the
, fire was under control and the service.
of tho Chester iiremen were not re
'lquired.
! The Old Ferry Rolling Mill was start
, ed by Townsend & Company befor,
, the war for the suppression of tho re
/, bellion, and was purchased by the Dia'
mond State Iron Company In 1876.
1t was then small building, but
since then had been enlarged and i'm
proved, until 1t was one OF the fines
} plants of the kind in this country.
u In 1880 the company commenced thu
, manufacture. by machinery, of hors,
and mule shoes, and thus has becom,
AN important part of their business.