The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-08-06
A RAVAGING FIRE
Destroys Eishteen Buildings In Cambridge
Md. Loss Estimated at $4,000
with an Aggregate Insurance
of $4,000.

Md. Loss Estimated at $4,000,
with AN Aggregate Insurance
of $4,000.
A disastrous fire ravagsd the town Of
Cambridge, Dorchester County, on Sat
urtiay afternoon last. Eighteen buildings
in ali were entirely destroyed, and the
loss is conseryatively estimated at not
less than $40, 900, with an aggregate in
surauce of about $40, 900.
The burned district extends along
High street from the corner of Church
street to the drug store of w t Hasslnger
on the north side, and to the residence
of William NJ Fletcher on the south
side.
| ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated in v-loft OF
William Handley's liver -, about
twenty minutes to II o'clock, aud owing
to the very combustble nature of the
building material, together with the
intense dryness which everywhere pre-
vailed, the building was almost con-
sumed before the alarm was generally
| give. The horses were removed excepting
two which persisted in the flames.
| In few minutes the flames communi-
Gated with livery stables of Andrew
Cook, adjoining, and spread rapidly to
the Fox House, on High street.
Unfortunately the fire engine was
undergoing repairs and could not be
utilized. Had 1t been at the scene at
this point the fire could have been sub
dued.
AS the flames spread, draught of
air was created and it was soon realized
that in this powerless condition the en-
tire block from Locust to Church street
was doomed.
Every effort was then directed to
the removal of valuables from the
hotel aud houses adjacent. Ladies, as
well as men, lent helping hand, and
furniture, store goods and other articles
were piled in promiscuous confusion in
places of safety.
SPREAD OF THE FLAMES.
The strong current drove the flames
across High steet, completely wrapping
the National Bank aud the confectionery
store ice cream saloon and residence of
John G. Hurley in their embrace. Build
ings two blocks away were ignited by
flying sparks and on both sides of High
street. The fire spread rapidly to the
right and left, envelopiug the residence
of G. n. Creighton and the Maryland
Central Hotel and the Democrat and
News Office and the millinery store of
Miss Fannie S. Jordan.
THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL.
Through the ingenuity OF Chief Eu-
gineer Knox, of the oyster police steamGx
Governor Thomas, the motive power of
traction engine was applied to the
disabled Silsby free ngine, by connecting
the steam drums, by which means the
firemen were enabled to turn a stream
Cd the fire arresting its progress at
Hasslnger's drug store on one side and
at the residence of William NJ Fletcher
on the other.
The spread of the flames was stopped
u great measure by the fact that TIE
"a "a. !Ainas h~ginGiGg with the Nathan
store on one side the street, and with
the Fletcher residence on the other, are
brick up to the corner of Poplar street.
This alone prevented the destruction of
the residence of Secretary of State E. w.
Lecompte.
APPEALS FOR HELP.
kilograms were sent by Mayor Mundy
to Wilmington and Salisbury for asss
lance, and the Salisbury fire department
arrived shortly after clock, by which
time the fire was under CONTROL although
they did good service in extinguishing
the flames. Three engines and six hose
companies reached Seaford, Del, from
Wilmington also in a short time, but
were there notified by telegraph that
the fire was subdued.
There was great danger that the lire
would continue in d southerly direction,
as the wind was setting that way. 1t
was only prevented by stationing men on
all the house tops, and fighting away
the sparks. The residences OF jaime S
Wallace and Mrs. Nellie Richards, and
the market house on Gay street, all took
| fire in this way, but the flames were put
out before any considerable damage was
| done. The furniture of the Wallace and
Richards houses was all removed, and
much damaged.
1t was feared that the handsome Epis-
copal church which stands on the oppo-
| site side of the street from the Maryland
| Central Hotel would burn, but the slate
roof and stone bands, aided by the fire
men, saved it.
| NO HOTELS
now stand, and the regular and transient
guests are being quartered Throughout
| the town.
| INCENDIARIsM SUSPECTED.
The fire is generally supposed to have
been caused by spontaneous combustion
of hay, but supicion of incendiarism was
said to be directed toward a stranger
who has been stopping at one of the
hotels for some days, and his arr, st wa:
requested by J. T. George, proprietor
No writ was sworn out by Mr.. George
however, and the suspected party lief
Cambridge on an afternoon train.
Touring to the North.