The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-06-24
WAS 4 WEEK OF FIRES
Three Mysterious Fires Cause
Official Investigation.

/ of Stiner Bros, j. t. Little and p. j..
Howard-SchooI Gymnasium Destroyed
Premeditated Fire on speedwelI Avenue
New Rules for the Chemical Engine.
A fierce fire, this time in McAlpin
block, startled the residents and called
out the fire department on Sunday after
noon, the 10th. Different stories are
abroad as.to its origin, but best authority
places it among the match boxes stored
in the rear of the grocery and wholesale
liquor store of Messrs. Stiner Brothers.
1t was discovered at 4.20, but there is
little doubt that it had started some time
before, since so much damage was done
by the time the fremen arrived. Then
there was needless delay in giving the
alarm. Mr.. Brown, of Brown Brothers
Pharmacy at No. 16 Speedwell avenue.
adjoining the fire, saw smoke pouring
through the front transom, and John
Little, proprietor of the bakery and res
taurant adjoining, and who sat eating
his dinner when the fire came through
the rear partition from the Stiner store,
notified Chief of Police Holloway almost
simultaneously. The Chief first thought
of giving the Truck Company still
alarm, but found no one at home. Then,
on Mr.. Little's 'staking the response
bility," he rang a general alarm for
No. so.
Humane Engine Company, from across
the street, was first on hand and the
chemical engine came second, attacking
the fire from the front and rear respec-
lively, and soon controlling it. But long
after that point was reached the firemen
continued to pour water into the store
building, entirely soaking everything in
the three -Stiner's, Little's and
Howard's-until the water reached a
] depth of over two inches on the floors
and even in the rooms of the Free Kin
dergarten occupying the floor above
these three stores The fire was quickly
extinguished, and there was general
complaint of the abundant use of water.
Jacob Stiner was away at the time in
Sharon Springs, New York. and Leo
pold, the other member, was at his home
in Mechanic street. They state their
loss at $6, 800, the full amount of insur-
ance, carried by Selvage Bros, agents;
John T. Little lost about 1900, insured
| for 1000 with Benjamin Bros !; P. j.
Howard, 81, 900, insured for $4,000 with
Selvage Bros. and j. B, Ayers.
Thanks to Mrs WulH and her son,
Harry, who worked nearly all night
bailing water, the Free kindergarten
held its usual session Monday morning.
Though about three inches of water was
needlessly poured into the rooms, the fix
lures, furniture and the work of the chill
dren escaped without damage.
Shortly before o'clock Wednesday y
morning the fire department was called
out by alarm from box 63, turned in by
Cornelius Hally, night Waterman on
Macculloch avenue The fire was in the
large gymnasium building of the Misses
Hickok's school, located in the rear of
the regular grounds. When first dis
covered by the servants the entire second
story and upper portion of the building
was in flames, and on arrival of the fire
apparatus little could be done. Hard
work saved the lower walls and portion
of the first story, but the building is
wrecked beyond repair. 1t was large,
handsome building, with slate roof, the
property of Mrs. j. G. Beatty. 1t was
formally used for stable purposes but
was recently converted in gymnasium
and class room for the school, Since the
closing of the school two weeks ago q
number Of desks, tables and carpets were
stored in the building. These were
valued at $3.50, and were total loss
though partially insured. Fortunately
the gymnasium piano was removed tc
: the house few days ago. Loss on the
building is stated at s., 900, insured.
Again, on Wednesday evening, the
department was called to the small shoI
Of Leo Gorton on Speedwell avenue by
alarm from Box %. It was CLOTHING
store and market combined and had beer
conducted in the annex to the building
of Genung e Hedges Though the en-
tire department responded, the chemica
engine of Independent Hose Company
was the only apparatus used, the fire
, being controlled in short order. Tit
origin of the fire was evident from th,
large number of boxes and barrels founi
3 in the rear room stuffed with infammabl
material and saturated with kerosen
. oil, though the blame for its starting il
not yet determined. Mr.. Gordon was il
: New York at the time. The goods il
0 the store were insured for 81 900, Will
Z the loss will not reach $3.50. Genung {
! Hedges repors loss to building at $35.
Investigation Of the above fires by tn
1 Board of Engineers has brought to ligh
9 some interesting facts OF the first fire
1 that at Stiner Bros, their decision is no
q yet stated; the Wednesday mornini
4 blaze was doubtless the work of an in
t cendiary, as was also that at the Gortol
u store.
Insurance on the stock of P. j. Howar
Q held by J. B. Ayers and w. E. Selyag
4 was settled Wednesday afternoon 70
Q 81 900, which has since been paid MI
!, Howard
u Il