Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-08-04

n Intai LOSS OF NoO,oUu, with @ob,OuU
Insurance.
CAMBRIDGE, Nd, Aug. THE fire
that visited this place Saturday was the
most disastrous in the history of the
town. Fifteen buildings and business
houses, including both the hotels
the National Bank of Cambridge and
covering nearly block on both sides of
~ High street were swept away in few
hours.
. ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated in the hay-loft of
William 9. Handley's livery stable,
about II 40 o'clock, and owing to the
very combustible nature of the building
material, together with the intense dry
ness which everywhere prevailed, the
building was almost consumed before the
alarm was generally given. Persons who
happened near when the fire began
worked hard TO remove the horses from
the burning stable, and succeeded in
saving all but two, one of them the fine
trotting mare Trinkett, valued at $3.50,
and belonging to j. Fred Barton of
Cambridge. Their charred carcasses
were found among the smoking debris
after the building was consumed. In a
few minutes the flames communicated
with livery stables Of Andrew Cook,
adjoining, and spread rapidly to the Fox
House, on High street. ~
CRIPPLED FIRE APPARATUS.
Unfortunately the boiler of the fire
engine was damaged at u fire on Glas-
gov street a few nights before and could
not be utilized The engine was at the
time undergoing repairs. AS the flames
spread draugilt of air was created and
il. was soon realized that in this power
less condition the entire block from
Locust TO Church street was doomed.
The strong current drove the flames
across High street, completely wrapping
the National bank and the confectionery
store, ice cream saloon and residence of
John G. Hurley in their embrace
Buildings two blocks away were ignited
by flying sparks and on both sides of
High street. The fire spread rapidly to
the right and left, enveloping the resi-
dence of Q. N. Creighton and the Mary
land Central Hotel and the Democrat and
Negs Office and the millinery store of
Miss Fannie S. Jordan.
TRACTION ENGINE DOING DUTY.
A traction engine used for threshing
wheat was procured, and through the
efforts and ingenuity OF Chief Engineer
Knox of the oyster police steamer Gov
ernor Thomas, was adjusted to the pump
of the disabled fire engine, and throuhg
this means succeeding in playing water
upon the fire and III arresting its progress
at Hassinger's drug store on one side and
at the residence of William M. Fletcher
on the other.
In The heat and excitement the follow
ing persons were overcome by the heat,
but none resulted seriously; Mrs. J. T..
Bromwell, guest at the Fox House,
Mayor Mundy, James G. johnson
bookkeeper at the national bank; Archi-
bald Potter, Mrs. w. G. Anderson, Miss
Matte Perkins, Miss Lille Todd, Levin
S. NIears and Albert Ii. Hopkins of
Cambridge, and Dallis Birkhead of Sal
isbury.
The books, securities and bank notes
in the bank were safely removed to the
residence of Mr.. W. Fl. Barton, Jr,,
president of the bank. The coin is still
in the tire-proof vault of the institution,
the heat not yet permitting an examina-
ton, but it is thought to be safe.
The brick residence Of William NJ.
Fletcher was saved, after vigorous
fight, with some damage to woodwork
The handsome Episcopal church was
not-iniured, while the Maryland Central
Hotel, on the opposite side of the street,
was destroyed, The residences Of Mrs
James Wallace and James Thomas and
the ship-yard of Joseph FL. johnson
were also saved with difficulty.
BUILDINGS DESTROYED.
The burned buildings on the north
side of High street include the follow.
ing:
Maryland Central Hotel, large com.
modious frame building, two and a-hali
stories high. The hotel was an old land
mark, having been kept many years age
ss tavern by John Bradshaw. Though
EeusOdeled and renovated of late years
was built in the early substantial way
with large chimneys and fire places, and
dispensed shelter and good cheer to the
circuit judges and travellers in olden
time.
Next was the Cambridge Chronicle
building, two stories high and rebuilt
several years ago. The furniture auC
newspaper files were saved, but the
press and fixtures were lost.
The office and residence of Charlie;
N. Creighton, insurance agent, ant
long occupied by the late William
Creighton as store and dwelling.
The Fox House, formerly kept by
William J. Thomas.
The Democrat and Neecs office, Johr
G. Mills, editor.
Mis- Fannie S. Jordan's milliner,
store and John Ransom's barber shop
the law office Of States Attorney Colds
borough and the real estate office of G
4. Bramble.
The furniture store and residence o
Meyer Nathan and all its contents.
The residence Of DIR. T. b. STEELE.
On the south side of the street tn,
grocery store of Gather LeCompte.
The billiard-room of Will O. Mitchell
The National Bank, the stables o
John G. Hurley and the confectionery
store and residence of John G.. Hurley
the tailoring establishment of George A
Smith, the barber shop of Moses Cam
per, colored; the office of Edwin
Dashiell, Jr., insurance agent; the law
offices of James w. Waddell and Rober
w. Mobray and the office of DR.. vii
liam r. Hayward, justice of the peace
This latter office belonged to H. Pag
Dyer of Baltimore and was burned on
about eight or ten years ago.
NO HOTELS IN TOWN.
Except boarding houses, there ar
now no places of public entertainment
in Cambridge. ]. 7. George, proprieto
of the Maryland Central Hotel, ant
r. H. n