Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-25

preciated by the thousands who gazed at
it from safe distance. AS late as mid
night flames assembled from the ruins, ana
were plainly visible from all sections of the
city.
Fronting the mill on the east are stored
huge piles of lumber, and for an hour or
more this material was threatened. 1t was
conceded from the start that the mill was
beyond all hope, and the firemen concen-
trated their efforts toward saving as much
of the lumber as possible.
The Chimney Stood.
The tall brick chimney at the southern
extremity Of the building was the object Of
special interest. A chaos Of flame ragged at
It's base, and through the smoke the multi
tude imagined time ard again that the col
umn Of brick was about to .topple over. 1t
withstood all attacks, however, and today
solemnly rises from the ruins. begrimed
monument marking the grave of the once
solid and active mill.
When the conf1agration was at its height
a telegraph pole at the G street entrance
to the building quivered and fell, carrying
with it scrpentlne mass Of live wires, and
causing scurrying on the part of the
crowd. The wires attached to several other
adjacent poles were melted from the fas-
Jennings, ard the cross ties were also burn
ed to the extent that they apparently re-
luctantly quit their positions and fell.
The flames ate their way far into the
lumber yard on the east side Of the mill,
and though by no means entirely destroyed,
but few Of the piles of dressed woods es-
capped decidedly noticeable scorc:ling.
Traffic over the Metropolitan branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad was inter-
rllpted by the laying of hose across the
tracks, until box cars could be shifted into
DC sitiCn and the hose raised over their
tops, forming an arch. For several hours
passengers on incoming trains were I'M
loaded at H street.
The frame buildings on g street opposite
ha6 fho hon
cra cking window panes without number.
Many of the occupants Of these houses
moved out their belongings. as they
tIat th eHF"s dwellings, 6sa Would f0ns sare2
surrender to the flames. AS they fastened
to the fire. many persons thought that the
government printing office was burning,
and a report to that effect was rapidly cir
culated. The fire was plainly visible from
Hyattsville. Alexandria and points further
distant, and was the cause of considerable
conjecture on the part of residents of those
Major Moore, with Lieuts. Kelly, Amiss,
Boyle and Cross, visited the fire and direct
ed the efforts Of the police.
Origin and Loss.
A large quantity of smoke and steam
assembled from the ruins today, and several
engines and trucks were on duty until late
in the afternoon. The f1remen poured water
over the charred remains of the mill and
its contents, in an endeavor to extinguish
the last Of the persistent embers. Large
crowds Of spectators were coming and go
ing all day long.
Mr.. Thomas W. Smith. the owner of the
mill and lumber yard. stated to Star re-
porter that he had conducted a careful in
vestigation, but was unable to account for
the origin Of the flames. TT is, indeed, q
deep mystery" said Mr.. Smith. "At five
minutes before 6 o'clock the Waterman
visited the engine room and found every
thing as it should be. At a quarter to Z
O'Clock the fire had started in the engine