Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-11
FIERCE FIRE AT NEWPORT
Six Residences and a Combined Dwell
Ing and Store Burned.
LOSS, Sill, 900; PARTLY INSURED
Narrow Escape of Postmaster
and Clerk.

Seven buildings were destroyed and
six families rendered homeless by a
fire Of supposed incendiary origin at
Newport Friday morning. The loss
is placed at S17, 900, and is partly
covered by insurance. Postmaster
Lewis Duff aud bis clerk, John Ford,
who were asleep in the building that
first caught fire had narrow escape
from aeath. The Water Witch and
Liberty fire companies of this city
. were sent to the scene and did gallant
sarvice. The families rendered home
less we're; Capt Thomas Draper and
! family. James Mahon and family,
Thomas j Lyman and family, Fred
erick Potts and family anu Charles
Ware aud family.
The scene of the fire was the south
west corner of Market street Tor New
port turnpike) and James street.
1t started 10 the postoffice and general
store conducted by Lewis Duff. About
2 O'Clock this morning, Willis Groom,
occupant of the store at the northeast
corner OF James and Market streets,
beard loud report as OF an explosion,
and jumped from bed to see the cause.
Upon going to the window he saw
flames bursting from Duff's store.
Barefooted and without other garments
z than his night shirt be ran 10 giys the
alarm. Willis shouted TO John Ford.
Duff's CLERK, who slept in room
opposite his employer on the secontl
floor, to come down as the place was
Rfire. Mr.. Duff, himself, heard the
warning and quickly arose TO find
smoke coming upstairs. He then called
Ford and both men escaped from the
burning building. Duff had barely
time TO grab up u bag of money, pair
of trousers and an overcoar. Ford was
also barefooted and otherwise scantily
clad.
While trying to call his clerk Mr..
Duff had his hair badly ainged. His
feet were also cut by his jumping TO
the frozen ground.
Harry Baldwin, nephew OF friedrich
A. Surgeon, proprietor Of Drovers and
Farmers Hotel, was the first man on
the scene after the cry of fire was
raised. He ran to Dutf's store and
secured the new ledger. Other books
and papers, together with the stock,
were destroyed. Mr.. Baldwin in his
exit from the burning building. fell
through the cellar door and sustained
severe injuries to his leg and side. The
flames spread to the six nearby build
ings owned BY Mrs. Isaac Miller d
CIaymont and these were also destroyed
The occupants, however, were able t.
remove their goods without damage
other than being scratched by hand
ling. These dwellings were occupied
by the several families already men
toned.
The store property was owned b,
William Duff, the father of th
occupant, and was insured for 81, 800
The property was valued at $4,000
This stock was valued at Sc, 600 and tn
furniture at $1,000, with insurance il
the Chester County Mutual and tn
Colonial Go. of Pennsylvania to tn
amount OF So, 300. In the postoffic
about $50 worth of stamps were dc
stroyed, together with all the letter
that had not been called for.
When it was seen that the citizen
could not cope successfully with til
fire, they sent to this city for help. Th
message was received here about 2. q
o'clock and Chief Engineer Welde SCI
the Liberty and Water Witch CON
panieB to the scene. They reache
Newport between 3 and 4 o'clock an
went into service pumping water fro
the creek through l, 800 feet Of hos
The water supply ran pretty short bl
it lasted long enough to permit the I'll
to be put out. The fire was und,
control at O'Clock.
Harry WEIGH, a member Of Il
Liberty company, had his left ank
badly injured by sliding from the 70
of barn that had caught fire. DR..
L. Springer attended him, after whiC
he was sent to this city.
The fire wan supposedly of incendia
hat l,,ITt - ~
was first robbed and then set on fir
1 The staple ami lock from the cell
door OF the store were found Frid
morning on opposite side of the sire
III by ii. B. Miller. The towerman
II the p, w. q b. railroad crossing hea
n o wagon shorty after ? O'Clock, a. n
y arid raised the gates Of the crossing
\ allow the wagon to pass south iowa
New Castle.
Mrs. Thomas Lyman, wife of t
gate tender at the railroad crossir
who has been i'll, was carried out Il
afterward removed to Wilmington 90
early train.
William F. Potts, tho shoemal
who has boon seriously i'll was taken
the hotel, where Mr.. Sturgeon ma
him as comfortable as was possible.
sFortunately for tho residents of
town tho wind was low, else it mig
have swept at least two thirds Of
200 buildings. as we'll as the Marsh
iron works, the bone mills aud
glue works.
Energetic work on tho part of nu
her Of friends Of Nj. Sturgeon IA,
the hotel, az it was on fire aeye
times. W. f. Groomcs furnished
fremen with hot coffee, and OF
friends served sandwiches, while Cra
ton & Justis furnished teams. coal
wood. The people are grateful for
service rendered by tho Whining
companies.
Security Trust Co. Officers.
Tho directors OF the Security Tr
and Safe Deposit CO., meC Wednes