Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-09
FIRE ON BENNlNG ROAD
Barn, Chicken House and Other Property
Destroyed.
The Lives of Two Horses Sacrificed
Total Loss Is Estimated to
BE $4,000.

There was a destructive fire about noon
today on the premises of Messrs. c. F.
Riley and James Patton, in Morrison's sub
division known as Long Meadows" on the
hill some distance beyond Graceland cem-
etery. A big frame barn ard chicken
house, about 100 feet away, were totally
destroyed, while a brick stable adjoining
the barn was deprived of its roof and was
otherwise damaged by the flames. There
were seventeen cows in the brick structure,
which was used a slaughter house years
ago, and two horses were quartered in the
frame barn. One Of the horses was burned
to death, while the other was so badly in
jured by the fire that a policeman was
called there to end it's sufferings. Mr..
Riley, the owner of the stock, was also
slightly burned, his hair and eyebrows be-
ing singed.
The burned buildings We're situated be-
You'd the top of the hill overlooking the
Benning road. but about 900 feet from
the road, so that the firemen had some
difficulty i'll establishing a line of hose
this distance. Mr.. Riley was in the stable
when the fire started in the barn. The
cows had been driven In from the meadow
only few minutes before, and his eri-
ployes were on hand ready to do the noon
milking.
Formed Bucket Brigade.
" HeH tIle IRE was discovered there was
an outcry made and neighbors hastened to
MIR. Riley's assistance. A bucket brigade
was formed and those attracted there by
the fire rendered all the assistance they
could in saving the stock.
With considerable difficulty all the COWS
seventeen in number, were gotten out of
the building, and Mr.. Riley rushed into
the bnrning frame structure to save his
horses He succeeded in getting one out,
aHd in so doing he came near losing his
own life The animal that had thus been
rescued AS above stated, had been badly
| burned and Policeman Rodgers ended its
sufferngs with his revolver.
Mr.. Riley. was unable to return to the
| burning stable to save the other animal,
| and the poor beast perished.
When the frame building had been partly
! destroyed, the fire spread to the roof OF
| the brick buildings, and sparks set fire to
| the chicken house and this latter was soon
| wreck. Only Il few feet away from the
| chicken house was a big frame building
| III which several tons of hay were stored
but this building was saved by the watch
| fulness of some of the neighbors. On the
| ether size was the dwelling house, and this
| Vas also carefully watched.
Engine Company Summoned
| telephone message sent to police head
| quarters resulted in the sending out of No
s engine company, butnthe firemen saw al
a glance that they were poweriess because
| of the distance of the fire from the fire
| plug on the road. A second call was made
| and to this another engine and Truck A
| company responded. The hose of the two
| companies, about $500 feet, enabled the
| flrcmen to get a stream of water on tho
| burning buildings.
| Origin Unknown.
The cause Of the fire is not known, bu,
| the police had an idea that some one may
| have been about the building earlier in the
| Gay with lighted pipe or cigar. and tha,
spark from the burning tobacco started
the confiagration. This, however, is only
| speculation. The loss is estimated at about
| $2,JU Mr.. Riley says that the loss to :he
| buildings will amount to fully $1,000. while
| the loss to stock will be about 500.