Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-11

low the worst of the fire, where they put
up good fight against the oncoming foe.
Some idea of the difficulties under which
they labored may be had when 1t Is said
that stream of water turned directly
against the wind did not reach the flames
at all, but was thrown back in a cloud of
fine spray over the hosemen themselves.
JohnsonS wharf projects somewhat farther
into the river than did those up stream,
and presented asfront which the flames
steadily threatened. At times as many as
half d dozen streams were directed
against the great pile of wood, and later
on an effort was made to tear down the
pile and throw 1t into the river If neces-
sary.
During the worst of the fire burning
brands started another and smaller con-
fagration in two-story brick building
fully block below. 1t was about all that
one engine company could do to extinguish
this blaze, and time and time again there
were rumors Of other fires in all directions,
but these generally proved to be without
| foundation.
The Principal Sufferers.
| The principal sufferers were the Willis
Home Ice Company. whose losses will run
| up In the neighborhood Of $4,000; William
Neitzy; Josh Butler who owned building
which was used as stable; VIM. Reagan.
] who owned boat house and number of
| boats; William Stewart, whose building was
occupied as a warehouse for goods used In
| the river trade. William NeitZy is prom
| lQeHlly lQenSlNeQ WITH the POtOmaC SnaQ
| and herring fisheries and is the proprietor
| Of some of the best fishing grounds down
| the river. He was all ready for the opening
| of the shad season, and in his building has
| between 5000 and $1,000 worth of seines,
| nets and other fishing implements, and tons
of meat and provisions for the use of his en-
| ployes while al work down the Potomac 1t
| would be hard to estimate today the entire
| losses occasioned by the fire, but it would
| seem though $4,000 ought to be an out
| side estimate. Jchnson's wood and coal yard
suffered to a small degree-perhaps $1,000
| but the proprietors considered themselves
| lucky to get off as well as they did. e.,
| Just west of the ice house. where the fire
| started, is kindling wood factory, and
| through 1t all there was no let-up in the
| work. The men went ahead peacefully and
! contentedly, saying little and saving wood.
| Chief Paris responded on the> second
| alarm, and at once took charge of the fire
| fighters. There was a tremendous crowd Of
| spectators gathered about the scene of the
| fire, and it looked as though every man in
| Washington who owned a bicycle must have
| ridden there post-haste. The reserves from
| the first, third and fourth precinct police
| stations were on hand shortly after the fire
| broke out, and, under command of Capt.
| Austin, maintained the best of order
| By II o'clock the fire department had the
| flames under control beyond any question,
| and thereafter devoted their efforts to keep
ing the fire from extending down the river
| and to drowning out all the remnants Of the
fire.
To Prevent the Flames Spreading.
All the houses in the vicinity of the fire for
several squares around were watched with
the utmost caution. The house that caught
fire at 10Th and Water streets was fully a
hundred yards from the flames, and was
owned by the Southern Railway Company
Bags, paper and skins were stored there
and it Is supposed that the fire started from
a spark coming in at the window.
Just across from the Home Ice Company
a telegraph pole caught fire just about in
the middle and burned completely through
the upper part being kept up by the wires
and swaying in the air, with great danger OF
falling upon some one below.
A number Of large vessels were moored a.
the wharves below the fire, and these were
ali ready to cast off as soon the first signs
Of trouble began to appear in that locality
A number did cast off and were lowed u,