The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-28

tiouhi DiIlcuittoS-.bist Otdnc Losors.
Some Narrow Escapes.
A iow minutes after o'clock this
morning Gre alnrm was rrug in from
box Al. Tho department responded
promptly, in spite Of tho dangerously
icy streets. Tho fire originated in the
old Holiday planning mill, just south OF
the creek on the corner of Twentieth
and Marke. streets. 1. had evidently
gained considerable headway inside tho
building before 1t broke out 80 as 70 bo
visible, aud shortly after the alarm was
rung in the entire building and the
sheds north OF it were mass OF
flames. Tho light franc buildings nd.
joining burned up fercely. lighting tho
sky and sending veritable. shower OF
fire for several squares. Largs sparks
fell as far distant as the postolice,
giving rise to grave fears that other
buildings would be set on fire from this
source. The Terminal com mpany's union
station was showered with sparks and
fears were entertained for some
timo that the Market street bridge
would be destroyed. The fire
was one OF the most stubborn ever ex-
perienced in Wheeling, and owing TO
the extremely cold weather and tho icy
streeta the firemen worked under the
greatest difficulty. Several times fire.
Inen handling tho hose slipped and fell.
losing control OF the nozzle. and tho
stream sprinklsd the largo crowd oil by
ISLANDERS literally, the drops OF water
quickly turning into beads OF ice. No
doubt when the men got thoroughly
thawed out there will be discovered
many frosted ear, finger or foot.
The buildings were all practically de-
stroyed. Tho main building and all
the ground belongs 10 the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Company. Two small
office or store rooms next the creek
were the property OF J. II. Rosenburg,
| tho stone mason. The main building
was occupied by tho Bradford Livery
and Transfer Company, but the only
property it had in the place, besides
hay and feed, was two hacks, one Of
which was brought out in good shape,
but somewhat scorchod. The other was
destroyed.
The FREQ Methodists had a hall in
the second story, and all their furni.
turo, ETC.. was burned.
| George Roberts, manufacturer oil dis.
infcctan,s, occupied the old Holiday
company's Office, and suffers some loss.
In the long shed in the rear Martin,
tho junk dealer. had his stornrooms and
stables. He had two horses and his
wagons .here. The horses were gotten
out with diliculty but the wagons were
burned. John Robrecht had q heavy
truck wagon in the building, which
was also destroyed.
In ono OF the small buildings J. W.
Ferrcll conducted the Wheeling agency
OF tho anamaker clothing establish
ment. He had a considerable amount
OF clothing in tho room, ready for do.
livery, all OF which was destroyed. In
the other Henry Bachmnnn conducted
n cigar manufacturing business. He
had quite stock OF finished goods, all
OF wnich was destroyed. Neither he
! nor Mr.. Ferrell had any insurance.
The exac. loss would be hard to state.
Since the removal OF the Holiday plan.
ing mill the property has not been very
profitably occupied for any length OF
time. 1t ha, been rather neglected, snd
| probably was not insured. though this
could not bs learned last night The
loss on the buildings will probably not
exceed 5000, and the other loss will
possibly be half rs much more.
Tho origin OF the fire could not be
more than conjectured at tho time.
There wero several people sleeping In
the premises. aud they escaped narrow
ly. One OF tho mon. "Red Cross" Ed.
wards. a. hc is commonly known, was
carried out in his underclothes only,
nearly suirocated by the smoke. The
party all lost more or lees clothing, and
went about in the cold night mir, scant-
lily clad and wrapped in blankets and
other improvised wraps.
One OF the mon caught in tho build.
ing was Ad Dennis, who was suffering
from n broken leg. "Red Cross" was
overcome in trying TO help him out, and
finally did got him within reach OF help
and he was safely removed to II hospital.
1t was another large llre added to the
rather remarkable list OF those which
have happened in Wheeling in intcnss'
" cold weather. The. city has not
suffered from many really serious fires,
but what sho has experienced seem to
have nll como at night, aud on intensely
cold nights at that.
At 3 n. IN. tho fro was still burning
brightly and the engines hard NJ work,
but tho flames worn confined to the
limits already montioncd. though n,
ono time m adjoining residence on
Twentieth atrcet was in danger. and tho
awnings on tho other side Of Marke.
street caught fire.
THE EAILROAD FIELD.