Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-15


that the flames had largo advantage
over the firemen. But tia men went
To the task with great vigor and every
company put two streams into service.
inc engiHos were ut the following
points: Fame Hose, Second and Wal.
nut; Weccacoe, Front and Walnut !;
Reliance, Second and Poplar; Water
Witch, Third and Walnut; Phoenix,
Second and French; Washington, Front
and Poplar; Friendship, Front and
French; Liberty, Railroad and Lom-
bard streets. The chemical engine was
on hand for emergency work among
the dwelling houses. Two members Of
the Fame Hose Go. directed IA stream
upon tho fire from the big ladder of
tho Delaware truck. ~
One difficulty the firemen experienced
was due to the heavy shutters on the
upper stories of the factories Those
shutters had but u small opening for
light and whom fighting the fire at that
point the stream bad to be directed
through the narrow opening. The
upper floors were flooded with water
and in course OF several hours the tire
was drowned out.
WILLIAM Nj NEAL hlbbED.
While attempting to escape from
danger William McNeal received the
injuries which caused his death. lie
was not a member of the Washington
Fire Co., but had run" with the com.
pany for 10 or 10 years. The great fire
was an opportunity for him to lend a
hand and he was one of party of five
who were fighting tho flames with the
Washington pipe. George W. Sasse Of
the Washington Co., WAS one of the
number. They were standing on a one
story building between the rear Of
jones' southern wing and the large
building on Front street, directing
the stream upon the fire. The flames
were then In the upper portion Of the
wing and they seemed to work along
tho roof in the direction of the men.
Pieces of the French roof and upper
wall began to fall DIS the flames came
nearer All tho men seemed to realize
their danger ut the same time and they
dropped the pipe. Then it was each
man for himself, according to Mr..
Sasse. They all jumped to- the ground,
while at the same instant u quantity o.
bricks and woodwork came crashing
from the high wall and almost buried
McNeal. Mr.. Sasse thinks that McNea
stumbled when be reached the grounG
and that the falling material strucl
him before no could regain himself
When the smoke had cleared ava,
McNeal's companions found him lyins
among the debris. He was carried Il
the patrol station on French street ant
taken thence to the Delaware Hospital
N. l. ara ba ,lsa1 IL, about TX p,ip,,tao Hi
skull was crushed. shoulder blad
broken. and foot mashed. His derby
hat, which was shown at the Washing
ton engine house next morning, still
shows the effect of the debris tina
crushed out his life. In the roa
portion the hat had three cuts, evi
IDENTIFY made by the falling material.
McNeal was maetini by trad
and was employed in the p, W. q B.
shops. He lived at No. los Monro
street, whore his wife and three chill
dren now mourn over his bruised body
AT the time McNeal was injured
George Sasse was struck on the le
with brick. but was not badly Injured
Another accident was that of tn
upsetting of the Friendship hose car
riage at Fourth and French streets
Howard Cloud had his leg bruised an
received black eye. The carriage wa
damaged.
FIRE UNDER CONTROL.
The fire was we'll under control b
u. 80 o'clock and Chief Engineer Weld
sent in the one stroke which SO indi
Gates. The tremen were active ia
awhile longer. and stopped work abou
l o'clock. but the scene was under waite
all night to prevent breaking on
again.
A great crowd was attracted by th
fire, but the police stretched ropes an
kept the people away from the build
ings. Coffee was serve to the firemer
Although the burned buildings wer
close to dwelling houses, many Of thel
frame, the fire was generally confine
to the factories. Some of the nearb
residents did move their househol
i goods out but they moved back agai
next morning.
THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.
IL was scene of desolation that fe
upon the view in tho burned distrit
Garrett & Barr factory on Second stree
10 Jig bDueb puiitlluP WuiCn iFoutb "
Front street. The latter building wa
hard to work In as the firemen dii
covered. They could find no stairwa
below the third floor. Thelrear of th
Jones and Baird wings are wrecked
the roofs and portion of the wal
having fallen.
! The Garrett & Barr factory is badl
4 damaged, although the walls may
intact. Tho machinery is probabl
ruined. This was one OF the few bus
morocco shops in Wilmington. 1t en-
ployed about go men and had regult
market for Its product. The firm con
prises Arthur ii. g. Garrett and Wi
liam A. Barr Mr.. Garrett could pi
no estimate on the loss Friday mornir
He found that some one had broke
into the office desk with an ak SOM
time or other, probably for purposes I
robbery.
The Charles Baird Co. has bee
running its factory on half time, en-
ploying about So men. but just recent
received orders on account of which,
intended to start up with full ro
next week. The company took posse
zion of the building about year ae
and had fitted it up with new mi
chiuory. Robert Baird estimated Il
stock at 6, 600 dozen skins. 1t is large
damaged. In the steaming room the
were more than 100 dozen skins
process of finishing. Stock THAT WI
not burned was damaged by water. I'll
fourth and fifth floors of the factor
wing were wrecked. A fire was sti
blazing on the wall at the fourth fio'
when a reporter went through IL