Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-29
TAK0MA SCOURGED.
A Devasting Fire Does Great Dam
age This Morning.
BUILDINGS ENTIRELY DESTROYED.
The Park Absolutely Unprotected,
Without Engines or Water.
T II E D A M A G. E DO N E.

Shortly after 5 o'clock this morning the
village Of Takoma Park was visited by the
most destructive fire in it's history. Two
stores, hotel, two dwellings and several
other buildings were completely swept away,
and several families rendered homeless.
Only the untiring labor of every available
man and boy in the village and the fact
that there was little, II any, wind blowing
at the time. prevented greater damage
" hiie several persons had barely time to es-
cape with their lives, fortunately no one
was hurt. One result Of the fire was to en-
phasize the utter helplessness of the people
OF the village in the event OF a fire there,
neither fire apparatus or water being avail
able.
AS nearly as can be ascertained, the fire
vas first discovered about 5:15 this morn
ing, when Station Master j. s. Norris OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad was aroused
by the odor Of burning wood. Norris lodged
at the Hotel Watkins, on Carroll avenue
just northeast of the railroad station, and
within a few hundred feet Of it. He slept
on the third floor 'front.' and. upon looking
out Of his window. observed flames shoot
irg out from the second floor of the grocery
store Of Jos. F. Birch, nearly opposite on
Carroll avenue. and just across the railroad
track from the station.
Mr.. Norris hastily pulled on his clothes,
arousing him and the folks there. Telling
ran down to the store of c. H. Robb, ad-
joining. and just north of Birch's store,
aroused him and the folks there. Telling
Mr.. Robb to telephone to town for an en-
gine, Mr.. Norris ran across to the railroad
station and aroused Gatekeeper Sam Mount
joy. By that time the fire had awakened
many others in the village. and had crept
across the street to Robb's store setting
fire to 1t. getting across the street in about
ten minutes time from its first discovery.
The Flames mt Work.
AS the flames advanced nearly every one
in the village ran to the scene. and within
An incredibly short time the fire had
spread to two dwellings on Carroll avenue
adjoining Birchs store. and from Robb's
store to the Hotel Watkins, and from there
to the tin shop Of Tinsmith Freezer. The
Inhabitants of the village performed heroic
work in endeavoring to stay the flames,
but without engines and with little water
they could do very little. and the stores of
Messrs. Birch and Robb, the outbuildings
p,nh aa1oihnins & them; the two dwellings next to
burned to the ground; nothing remaining
standing an hour after the fire was discov-
cred but the brick chimneys.
Houses In Danger.
At one time it was believed that the rail-
road station and Kloczewskfs drug store,
| to the west of the fire, would 60, but Sta
ton Master Norris and Gatekeeper Mount
JOY kept the station well dampened, and
Drug Clerk ]. B. McCrystal prevented the
drug store from burning by squirting soda
water on 1t from three cases of syphons.
In answer to Mr.. Robb's telephone message
| engine company No. reached the village
after considerable trouble, but too late to
be or service. But as no water was avail
able It is doubtful II the apparatus could
have rendered any aid, even had it reached
the scene in time.
The Fires Origin.
Just how the fire originated could not be
ascertained. No business had been done at
Birch's store for some days, and it con-
tanned no stock. Over the store was a
room used by the Odd Fellows Of the vii
lage as a lodge room. They held a meeting
there last night, 1t Is said, and it was stated
that when the meeting adjourned a fire was
left burning in the stove in the room. As
the flre was first discovered in that room,
1t Is thought that the fire in some way orig
mated from the stove.
The Damage.
The village postoff1ce was located in
Robb's store, and so rapidly did the flames
spread that all the mail and other effects
in the office were destroyed. Some little of
the furniture in the destroyed houses was
saved, but very little, and their occupants
were soon without both household effects
and clothing. Mr.. Cox, the clerk of Mr.
Robb. lost about everything he had in the
world, his little baby being carried out
wrapped in only a blanket. Mr.. Birch's loss,
1t was said. would reach about $4,000, which
amount, 1t was thought, would be the loss
Of Messrs. w. L. Follmer and VIM. Wat
kins of the Hotel Watkins Mr.. CHI. .Robb' 8
loo
surance of about 5000. Tinsmith Freezer,
1t was said, would lose about $500. The rail-
road company lost their station platform on
the north and the telephone company poles
and wires. The only telephone in the viii
lage was destroyed, as was the police patrol
box.
Heroic Work.
Not only did the people of the village do
heroic work in endeavorlng to stay the
flames, but they also opened their homes
to the families burned out. While the village
could do little, for want of proper facilities,
to prevent the burning of the destroyed
buildings. they did do great work in con-
fning the flames to that immediate locality.
Considerable indignation was expressed to-
day. because of the neglected condition of
the village, due, it was claimed, to the Mig
gardly policy of Congress toward the Dis
trict, and a meeting of the citizens of the
village. called to meet in the Presbyterian
81
for affording relief to the sufferers from this
mornings fire. it is probable that the neg
lected condition of the village will be dis
cussed.
Citizens Work.
Everyone seems to unite in praise of
the good work of the citizens of the
park. VINO turned out at once and seemed
to vie with each other in their almost
superhuman efforts to stay the DESTROYING
eement-fishting fire every minute in every
direction. And the ladies did their part in
providing hot coffee, etc. Young girls could
be seen carrying and distributing water to
were out in force, knowing too we'll that all
seemed an almost impossible thing but at
their homes knowing that they had done a
good work.
To Rebuild.
1t Is understood that immediate steps will
be taken for the reconstruction of the build
ings. The Watkins, which was recently
erected, contained about thirty rocms and
its close proximity to the station was of
great accommodation to city residents de-
string country air during the summer
months. The destruction of the stores and
dwelling. as well as the loss of telephone
service and post office, will inconvenience
the residents of Takoma and the surround
ing neighborhood. 1t seems that disasters
do not come singly. as 1t Is but few days
ago that the daughter of one of the p-omi-