Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-18

The burning of the Buckeye glass
works, early yesterday morning, was
the sole topic of conversation among
the people of Martins Ferry yesterday,
but Notwithstanding all conjectures
and conclusions reached by some, the
mystery surrounding the origin of the
fire remains as deep as it was when
first discovered.
Many seem to think that the alarm
might have been turned in sooner, but
Nightwatchman Weidman states that
as soon as he discovered the fire he
turned in the alarm.
The first he saw of the blaze was
when he opened the door to the cut
ting shop. 1t then appeared TO be COM
ing up through the moor, as was stated
in the Register, and he Immediately
turned in the alarm. When he reach
ed the alarm box the blaze was coming
out through the windows in both the
first and second stories.
Officers Fisher and Neal stated that
they were coming up the c. 4 p. rail-
road, near Mear's cooper shop, when
they first saw the reflection of the
blaze, and they had time to get over
half way up before the alarm was
sounded.
The only reason that can be given
for the fire gaining such a rapid head
way is that the woodwork in the in
terror of the factory was very dry and
old. and the flame being famed by the
wind. which was blowing at the time,
caused the uncomfortable spread. The
firemen, however. did excellent work,
under the circumstances they were
placed in in fighting the flames Only
four streams of water could be used to
any advantage and nearly all the time
the could be directed on only one side
of the building. The cold air froze
the water almost the minute it touched
anything except the blaze. and many
Of the firemen were covered with ice
from head to foot
When daylight broke upon the scene
yesterday morning the place presented
the worst appearance of anything of
its kind since the burning of the
Laughlin nail mill. in 1856. Nothing
remained but mass of ruins and de-
bris enclosed in the few pieces of walls
that still stood. A large portion Of
these were pushed down yesterday fore
noon. owing TO their unsafe condition.
The only articles that will possibly
he saved will be the books of the COM
pany. which were in the safe. Outside
of this. not one thing escaped the
tongues of the flames. The ruins were
viewed yesterday by hundreds of peo-
pie from the surrounding towns.
The factory was to have started up
Yesterday. and had bright outlook
for a good run. Several large orders
were received yesterday, beside a large
number they had on hands.
Work will be begun this morning by
Amos Wilson and force of men at
clearing away the ruins. President
Seamon went over yesterday morning
from this city, but did not go near the
scene. The loss will not fall on him
alone, for although the factory has not
been of much benefit to the town the
past two or three years, it was in for
mer years one of the principal indus
trial establishments of the town, and
no doubt would have still been a bene-
fit to it in times to come
The works were built in the SOS"
by a company known as Sweeney. Nc
Cluney & Co., and has passed through
the hands of several companies to the
present owner. A. ID. SeamOn. 1t was
purchased by a company of which Mr.
SeamOn was at the head in 1884. For
the past few years he has held the
controlling interest, and only a short
time ago became the sole owner of the
works.
The loss was at first roughly esti-
mated at $4,000, but it is now placed
near 5000. 900. as there were $1,000 worth
Of pots destroyed. and over $4,000 worth
of engraving plates, besides several
other outside articles of value The
entire amount will be a total loss to
Mr.. Seamon alone. as there was TO
! insurance on it. This may seem queer,
but MIR. Seamon, being unable to in
sure in any reliable company, on ac-
count of recent attempts made to burn
the factory. would not insure in other
companies of dubious standing.
Many wild and baseless rUmors were
afoat Yesterday forenoon concerning
the burning of the plant many Of
which were extremely foolish. Many
suppositions as to the origin of the con-
fagration are to be heard Some think
that it was caused by an explosion of
gas. while others are of the opinion
THAT it was of incendiary origin. This
latter opinion is held by the Waterman
and is closely adhered to by him, as he
stated he had passed the place where
the fire originated not ten minutes be-
fore and saw no sign of fire. He thinks
that il would have been an easy matter
Highest of all in Leavening Pow