The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-11-05

the bud. At 3:15 this morning the box at
the corner Of Main and Poplar streets
sounded the Sd alarm. 1t was sounded by
George saeger, the man stationed at the
electric light station on South Main street
A strong wind was blowing at the time and
the bell failed to give the desired signal
The few that heard it and hurried to the
scene were at a loss to account for the slow
response Joseph Dusto sounded second
alarm and James s. Williams the third, but
even the last alarm failed to arouse the
people to a realization of the truth
Meantime frame building on Pear alley,
between Poplar and Laurel streets, and ad-
joining the row of tinder boxes on the west
side of the alley known at one time as Rices
row, was in a mass of flames.
For several minutes the fremen stood
powerless. The sound of the alarm had
failed TO reach the man on guard for the
water company at the northeast end of town
and there was no water to put the hose in
use. Some new water company people took
advantage of the situation and asked the
startled people what they thought of the
water company. 1t was rather an unfair ad-
vantage to take, for by the time the majority
Of the fremen arrived the water was on
The stream was not a strong one at first, be
cause it required time for the filling of al
pipes to give force, but to the credit of the
fire department be it said that within forty
minutes after the alarm was sounded the fire
was under control and practically extin.
guished
The fire started in row Of two-story
frame buildings that have occasioned ap
prehension for years, and that the firemer
succeeded in confning the flames to two
buildings in the face of great disadvantages
is certainly very crcditable to the depart
ment,
The result of the FIRE is that two houses
were destroyed and one partially consumed
The house in which the fire started and the
one adjoining it are owned by George
Whitekawicz. They were originally owned
by William Bynon.
1t appears that the houses were wei
stock ed with straw and wood for winter usC
and during jollifcation last night some on,
innoeently threw lighted cigar or cigarett,
stump into the inhammable stuff
The estimated loss by destruction Of ant
damage to buildings is $1,000. The &C
cupants of two houses lost all their effects
which can be covered by few hundred
dollars.
Among those who appeared at the seen,
and afforded much encouragement to th
Gremen before during and after the fire wa
Felix Adrc1s, the proprietor Of the hotel a
the corner of Main and Poplar streets, VIII
also placed his house at their disposal afte
the flames were extinguished and said tina
he fully appreciated the prompt service tina
had been rendered Mr.. Adncl's hotel i
located but a square away from the scene o
destruction.
One lesson to be derived from this morn
ing's fire presents itself in the shape of
necessity for provision whereby the peopl
of town may be enabled to hear the sound
from the fire bell. The alarm system is no
questioned, save that the bell is too closel,
confined and needs new style Of shelter
This is the condensed opinion of many O
our prominent townsmon who did not realiz
the situation until after the trouble was owe
and the fremen were in their beds. In fac
some of the fremen did not reach the seen
until after the sixth alarm was given,
In Olden Times