The Washington times., 1894-07-28
AT THE SCENE OF THE FIRE.
Contractor Gleason Removing the Debris
Which Was Threatening to Health.

Contractor Gleason Removing the Debris
Which Was Threatening to Health.
The odor which pervaded the neighborhood
OF the scene Of the recent fire was of such a
character yesterday that many complaints
were sent to Health Officer Hammett, who
accordingly consulted Major Moore, chief OF
police. and Thomas J. Entwisle. inspector
OF buildings, who formed themselves into a
committee of inspection in accordance with
orders from the Commissioners.
Later in the day Health Officer Hammett
submitted the following report to the Com
missioners:
I'm accordance with your orders 1 visited
the scene OF the recent disastrous fire at
Knox's warehouse in company with Major
William G.. Moore, chief OF police. and
Thomas J. Entwisle, inspector of buildings,
this morning. We made careful and thor
ough investigation Of the premises. A sick
ening stencil prevails. due 10 the decomposi-
tion OF the horses which were destroyed in the
fire. We agree in substance that il this is al
lowed to continue if will jeopardize the health
OF the city and might cause an epidemic. We
find that the force employed is entirely in
sufficient to remove the debris so that these
dead animals can be reached. and hereby ur-
gently recommend that not less than $50 men
the and necessary teams be employed at once
to accomplish this work, which We consider a
very great emergency.
Building Inspector Entwisla suggests that
there are several high and dangerous walls
standing which should be reduced by the use
OF explosives
On the back of the report in DR.. Lindail's
handwriting is memorandum rs follows:
ALBERT Gleason called at request OF Com
missioners and stated that he would clear
away the debris so that the horses could be
removed, and would only charge the wages
and other costs plus Is per cent
Commissioner Rcss stated later that Glea-
son had gone to work and had arranged TO do
the job on condition that he obtained the ma
terials removed as compensation for the work.
He stated that the bricks were found to be so
hot that in order TO allow of their being
handled an engine had to be sent to the ruins
and throw water on them.
wATcHMES TO BE PUT N CHARGE.
Nothing of any value was found among the
debris yesterday. 1t is said there may be a
lot of silver and probably some jewels found
when the storage warehouse debris is being
removed. As result of this possibility the
underwriters will place watchmen in charge
while the debris is being removed. Contractor
Gleason has promised to have all the dead
horses removed to-day, and he says the Of
fensive odor will also be gone before this
evening. About forty carcasses were removed
yesterday. and Gleason's men worked all
night.
Several of the dangerous standing walls
were pulled down yesterday, and as much as
possible of danger was removed. A gang OF
men endeavored to pull down the stable
walls, but all the force they could bring to
bear failed TO bring them down. Dynamite
will be applied to-day.
W. l. Harris, who was arrested on suspi-
cion of having caused the fire. remained at
the Emergency Hospital under the surveil-
lance Of the police. He is a patient,
but not prisoner; but IL any at
tempt is made by him or any of his
friends TO take him beyond the jurisdiction
of the District courts. he will be placed I'M
der arrest and taken to the police court for
examination.
District Attorney Birney and Inspector
Holiinberger held council in the formers
office yesterday morning. They mapped out
a course Of inquiry into the matter of Harris
connection with the origin OF the fire. They
do not hold that he is guilty, but they mean
to sift ali the information that can be obtained
from those who were about the place at the
time the fire broke out.
The gasoline truck which Is said to have
belonged to Harris, and on which he was
working at the time of the alleged explosion,
was in litigation, and Mr.. Knox had received
positive instructions from. a man whose name
he does not remember. not to allow 1t to be
taken out OF the warehouse on any pretext
whatever.
The unknown man claimed to be partner
of Harris in the invention and property Of
the truck. and exhibited to Mr.. Knox some
papers which showed that the property Of the
truck was in litigation. Lawyer Hay, who is
cousel for Harris. is looking after his inter-
ests. ------
Dr,l to