Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-11


HALIFAX, n. So July 9.-Forty-six
years and one month ago to-day fire
broke out in st. Johns, the capitol of
New Foundland, that destroyed a great
part of the city. Damage was done
amounting 10 one million pounds and
several lives were lost in the flames
Yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in
ST. Johns that threatens to far exceed
In extent Of money damage and loss OF
life that Of the disastrous con1agration
Of 1916.
About 4 o'clock a house on Longs
hill was discovered 10 be on FIRE. The
fremen responded promptly to the alarm
but when they arrived the southwest
wind that was prevailing had caused the
FIRE TO spread to an adjoining building
which was then burning furiously. Des-
Derate efforts were made to stay the
progress OF the fire, but il was soon seen
that these would prove fruitlesS. Most
Of the houses on Longs hill were very
old wooden ones and they caught fire
aud burned with great rapldlty. Large
. burning brands were caught up by the
wind aud carried 10 the roofs OK other
structures which we're soon burning
iuriOuSly.
Ii was seen that the FIRE department
I was helpless, and in the path that the
| fire was destined to.take, people began
/ TO remove their portable household eff
I fects and valuables. Ii Is feared that
some OF these people lost their lives by
I their foolhardineSS in returning to their
\ homes when the flames were close upon
Y them.
While these dwelling houses were
burning unhindered, it was found that
THE NEW METHODIST COLLEGE
was on fire. Efforts were made to save
I this building, but they were fruitless.
/ The college was the educational head.
quarters Of the Methodists in New
I FOundland, and its loss will be severely
/ felt by the denomination.
BY this time the wind was blowing a
\ gale and the Gre was spreading with
terrible rapidity. Buildings situated
some distance from the burning struc-
I lures caught fire from the burning en-
I bers, and were destroyed without a
I hand being raised 70 attempt 10 save
/ them. The fremen aud the people were
I completely paralyzed, and the FIRE did
7 its work OF destruction without stay.
I To was now growing dark and the scene
I was magnifcently beautiful, though
I dreadfully appalling. Building after
I building caught fire and the whole city
was as light as day. The roar OF the
/ flames was terrible and the heat was so
intense that it was impossible to get
anywhere near the burning buildings.
/ Now and then high and heavy walls
would fall and then immense masses Of
burning embers would soar upward to
be caught By the gale and carried else
where to add other buildings to the
conaagratlon.
MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
ran about In terror, and thieves, taking
advantage Of the confusion, entered
houses that had been deserted by their
occupants and stole whatever they
could carry of. The Masonic Temple,
ORANGE Hail. the Roman Catholic cathe-
dral and Bishops palace, St. Patrick'S
Hall, the English cathedral, the al
theaneum, the Kirk, the Commercial
bank, the Union bank, the Atlantic
bre very, the Atlantic hotel and Lin
befg's brewery al fell prey TO the de-
VourinE element.
The English Cathedral was ath9gnif-
cent structure, and vas considered 30
be the finest piece Of Gothic architect
urt on this continent lt was Jet ~