Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-06-14
INCENDIARY BLAZE.
TIE RESTAURANT BUILDING AT TIE NEW
FAIR GROUNDS DESTROYED
During the Progress Of the Butchers Picnic Jester
day Ahsrnoon-Iwo Men Arrested for
Arson - Excitement Caused
by the Fire
An event not down on tho programme


for the butchers picnic, at the Fair
Grounds Yesterday afternoon, was the
fire which destroyed the handsome
restaurant building, to the east OF the
main entrance to the grounds, and cre-
ated intense excitement for the time
being, not only on the grounds, but In
the city as well.
About 4:35 o'clock flames were dis
covered at the south end Of the build
ing. The fire had already gained con-
siderable Roadway, and was burning
iuriously. Meals were being served in
the restaurant. The guests, and mem
bers Of the family OF Plstof Zane, who
resides in portion of the building,
got out with all possible haste, bat there
was not time to remove the furniture.
People 1ocked TO the scene from all
parts Of the grounds, aud In the space
OF ten minutes there were several
thousand people in the nelghborhood.
The police acted with commendable
promptness In stretching ropes and
keeping back the crowd. This precau-
ton was unnecessary, however, as the
heat from the burning building was so
intense that it could not be approached
within several hundred feet.
When the fire was discovered, box
No. 70, on South Front street was
pulled. but the box was out OF order.
A telephone message was then sent TO
all the houses In the city. Considerable
delay was occasioned by this method.
When the Island apparatus arrived the
entire south end OF the building was In
flames. Another difficulty experienced
was the impossibility to secure a SUM-
Gent supply of water, as there is but
one plug in the grounds and but two
others in the vicinity. An attachment
was soon made, and in short time
stream was playing upon the burning
building. The fire was so hot that the
men were compelled to work behind
boards to shield their faces.
In spite OF the heroic efforts OF the
fremen, the flames spread rapidly. and
threatened all the adjoining buildings
At one time it looked like the blaze was
under control, but the flames broke out
in the north end OF the building, and 10
was apparent that the structure was
doomed The entire department was at
work, but directed It's efforts principally
to saving the buildings In the vicinity.
Sparks from the building burned large
holes in the clothes OF many OF the spec
tators. The ticket Office, north end OF
machinery hall and number OF out
buildings caught from the heat, but
were saved by the firemen.
About Sis O'Clock the building fell
In with crash, and nothing remained
but a mass OF burning ruins.
The building is a total loss. II cost
between SO, 500 and $4,000, and was In
sured through Rinehsrt & Tatum, In
the British American Company, nj To-
ronto, Canada, for 81, 500. Mr.. Zanes
household effects were totally destroyed.
| 1t is not known whether he carried any
insurance on the goods.
The fire is supposed to have been OF
incendiary origin. Various conflicting
rumors were circulated regarding 1t,
one being that the blaze was
started by the explosion Of a gasoline
stove This proved to be untrue. There
were also reports that several barrels OF
oil in the cellar exploded. Just after
| the tire broke out, citizen called the
attention OF Chief McNchol TO the fact
thai Frank Souders ran out OF the
building after the flames were dlscov-
cred, carrying two guns. A little later
Souders was arrested, In company with
. a Martins Ferry woman named Emma
/ Gester. Both were taken TO the lock-
10. but the woman was subsequently
released. Soudcrs stoutly protested bis
innocence. A boy named Ben Watkins
took Sheriff Franzheim to ono OF the
stalls on the grounds aud showed him
whore Souders concealed the shot gun
and rifle which wers taken from the
building.
Ben Watkins was seen near the build
ing, in company with Souders, about
ten minutes before the IRE was discov-
cred He was also arrested and taken
to the lookup. Both men live In Mar
tins Ferry. Souder's has not good
reputation. He was once mixed up In
a shooting scrape at Jerry Clemans
place, back Of Bridgeport.
Last night Souders and Watkins were
taken before Justice Gillespy. The jus.
tIce sent both men TO jail. 10 default OF
81, 500 bail each, for arson, and 10 add
tlon held Souders in the sum OF $500 for
stealing the guns.
There were wild rumors regarding In
juries TO fremen. all OF which proved TO
be untrue. The fierce blaze scorched
some of their coats, and they alternately
turned the hose on each other. Chief
Haley was 10 the rear Of the judges
stand when the blaze was discovered.
He started across the field, and had not
proceeded more than twenty feet when
a rear wheel broke of mis- buggy.