Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-11
A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
WIPES OUT an ENTIRE BUSINESS BLOCK IN
ST. GAINESVILLE.
An Early Morning Blaza Which Entailed Loss
of $4,000, Partially Covered BY In
snrance.

mont county, Onlo, was NlSIteu carry
yesterday morning by one OF the most
destructive fires in its history. An en-
tire block OF business houses on the
principal street was wiped out, and for
a time it looked like the flames would
extend 10 other buildings. The total
loss will aggregate upwards OF $4,000,
which is covered by insurance for about
two-thirds Of that amount.
The flames were first discovered abont
three o'clock, in the rear OF Umstead's
hardware store. Frank Rice, employed
at HoTner's butcher shop, was getting
ready to take meat to the County In
Urinary, when he discovered that the
rear OF the building was burning. He
at once sounded the alarm, by running
down street, crying fire" at the top OF
mis- voice. 1t was not long until the cry
was taken up, and the footing OF an en-
CINE whistle added to the general din.
The entire population was soon upon
the scene OF the blaze. There was no
difficulty in discovering its location, for
the flames had gaiaed great Roadway
and the sky was lit up so as 10 be plainly
seen a distance OF ten miles away. A
bucket brigade was organized immedi-
ately, made up OF men, women and
children, all of whom worked heroic
ally.
The flames spead to White q Van
currents grocery, adjoining Umstead's
place, and slowly moved In both direc-
tions, in spite of the efforts to check It's
progress II was not long I'M
Ill all efforts to save the KeIar
block were abandoned as useless and
the hundreds of volunteers directed
their efforts toward saving adjoining
buildings. The heat from the burning
buildings was so intense that they were
approached with difficulty, and several
plate glass windows on the opposite
side OF the street were cracked, and the
frames burned.
The fire spread east and west. On
the west, its progress was stopped oy
the brick dwelling occupied by Col. j.
r. Mitchell. On the east, the large
frame business block owned by Mr.. H.
West, and occupied by r. J. Alexander,
J. w. Horner, DR.. s. L. West, and Il.
p. Hoffner, was entirely consumed.
The buildings which interviewed between
the alley, were also destroyed. They
were occupied by Samuel Cellar, saloon;
James Mcmillan, jeweler and dwelling;
the Gazette building; w. c. kunkel,
bakery: Sheppard Davis, residence.
BY heroic fighting, the progress Of
the FIRE was checked at the alley, al
though the adjoining house was scorch-
ed aud damaged somewhat. When it be-
came evident that the fire was assuming
such proportions, a telephone mes
sage was sent by Mayor
Kennon, TO this city, for the chemical
engine. The message reached here
about four o'clock, but the desired aid
could not be rendered, and would prob
ably have been OF no avail, as the fire
was checked at the time the engine
would have reached the scene.
Within two hours after the fire was
discovered, the entire block was mass
of smouldering ruins. The flames
gained such Roadway that there was no
chance to save the stock OF goods in
the business houses, or household
effects, and they are practically
a total loss. The scene Of the fire is
located on Main street, one block west
of the Court House. 1t is about one
block west of the scene Of the disas-
tous fire OF about eighteen years ago.
There were many exciting scenes
after the fire was discovered. The
flames had burned so rapidly that
~ h., Il civ ma
pants Of the second stories Of the
buildings, barely had time to escape
with their lives. Messrs White and
Vancuren slept above their store, and
saved nothing but the clothing they
wore. Ross Springer barely had time
to dress, aud Wilson Weidman, b. e o.
engineer, was driven out In his night
clothes. Daniel Carl, B. & O. con-
Guctor, who boarded at Wilson's res
taurant, carried his clothing with him
and dressed on the opposite side OF the
street. The children Of Ross Springer
we're dropped from a second story win
dow as 1t was rot considered safe to
lead them out of the building. and were
caught bs VIM. Seidwitz, Jr. The eff
forts OF Mr.. Seidwitz, Judge Hof, VIM.
Hoge and others in directing the bucket
brigade did much 10 check the flames,
and they are deserving Of praise. Th5'
women worked like heroes, while some
Of the men stood about with folded
arms.
The origin OF the fire is shrouded in
mystery, and several theories are ad-
vanced. The theory of incendiarism is
not credited generally. 1t was prob
ably due TO defective fue in the home
OF Mr.. Springer.
As stated above, the loss will amount
to upwards of $780, The insurance
was placed in the Cowan agency,
through the local representative, Mr.
w. II. Adams and several other
agencies. Mr.. Adams last night fur
nished a REGISTER reporter with the
following statement Of the insurance:
George Brown & Son, Gazette build
ing, s., 900 in Milwaukee Mechanics.
j. r. Mitchell, building and furni-
ture, 50, 500, in same company.
John 7. Davis, furniture $500, same
company.
Sheppard Davis, building $1,000, Will
liamsburg City company.
John L. Davis, stock 500, same COM
pany.
DR.. S. L. West, furniture, etc, $500,
same company.
G. w. Grassland, furniture $3.50, same
company.
]. r. Mitchell. dwelling aAd furni-
ture, So, 500.
J. d. Grassland, stock OF drugs, 5000,
National.
J. r. Mitchell, dwelling and furni-
ture, 81, 500, same company.
NJ. Kellar, building, $3.50, Manchester
company. Fireman's Fund, $3.50.
Mrs. Or. West, building 800, Co.
company.
r. JsAlexander, drug stock, $1,000,
same company.
James McMilIan, building, $4,000,
several companies.
w. c. Kunkle, stock, ETC., 1850,