The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-28
LAUREL swept BY Fire
An Entire Business Block
Eaten Up by Flames.
PIPEMAN FRANK KILLED
He Was One of N Detail of Firemen
Sent From Baltimc re-His Head
Mflstead's Hotel, the Oldest Cara
vnnsary i'm Mary land, Destroyed.

TO mark the most prominent business
block in Laurel.
fire, the most disastrous in the his
tory of the Maryland village, where Sena-
tor Arthur Pue German makes his home,
swept out of existence one of the Oldest
hotels in the State and with it four other
buildings
Laurel is without fire department and
aid had to be summoned from Baltimore,
twenty-one miles away. The prompt re-
Spouse of the Monumental City's fire
fighters cost Pipeman Charles Frank his
life, he being crushed TO death beneath
the wheels of the engine shortly after
arriving in Laurel.
Location of the Fire
The block which was destroyed is but
a short distance from the Baltimore and
Ohio depot, and is bounded by Main and
Elm Streets and Washington Avenue.
which is a continuation of the Washing
ton and Baltimore turnpike
On the northwest corner of Main Street
and Washington Avenue was situated
Milstead's Hotel, owned by William Mil
stead. In the rear of the hotel, facing
undertaking establishment, and adjoin-
ing that on the same avenue was Mr..
Misteads large livery stable. All the
buildings were two-story frame struct-
ures, the hotel having mansard roof
Next to the Milstead Hotel on Main
Street was the Herbert Hotel owned by
j. n. Herbert, a three-story frame build
ing, with large grounds adjoining Just
across Main Street is a block of frame
business AnraceS Tun stories in height
stable Boys Discovery.
about II O'Clock yesterday morning, Mr..
Milsuead, who had just returned from
funeral at Savage Station, was standing
in front of his stables when Jake How
ard, colored stable boy. ran up to the
proprietor and excitediy exclaimed:
For Gods sake. Mr.. Mi-stead, the loft
is afire."
Turning. Mr.. Milstead saw sheets OF
flame rolling out of the windows of the
loft swiftly deyourng the ten tons OF
hay and straw there.
An alarm was Immediately sounded and
the citizens of the village responded al
once A bucket line was formed from
the scene of the fire 10 the Patuxent
River. J. 500 yards away, and everything
possible was done to check the flames
Mayor Phelps realizing the seriousness
of the fires beginning, photographed 10
Baltimore for a fire engine, and was as
salred that assista would be sent az
once. 1t was nearly two hours later
however. when the engine and hose cart
MEANWHILE the flames had broken
through the roof Of the stable and leap
cd FIRST 10 the undertaking shop, then TO
tbe hotel and finally to Herbert's hotel.
A Horse Cremated.
Ready hands went TO work to save the
contents of the buildings. All the car
riages and horses in the stable were saved
EXCEPT a valuable mare, the property of
w. Robey which was roasted alive, and
its rdteous cries could be heard for blocks.
As soon as the contents of the burning
buildings had been saved the volunteers
turned their attention to the business
houses across the street, which by that
time had begun TO smoke and blister
under the intense heat. Howard Burr, OF
the District service, who ds spending his
vacation at Herberts Hotel, gave yalua-
bic assistance. The removal of goods
was so hastily done that great loss was
incurred in the way of breakage.
Aid From Baltimore.
About this time the Baltimore relief
train arrived, having on board engine
and hose carriage No. 10. No arrange
ments had been made at the depot to
unload the horses, and the men decided
TO run the apparatus down from the fiat
car on an improvised track of timbers.
This was quickly accomplished, and the
firemen started toward the scene Of the
fire pulling the engine and wagon by
hand.
How Frank Was Killed
As they turned into Main Street a slight
heavy weight Of the engine was too much
for the men who had hold of the tongue.
Pipeman Frank stumbled and fell, and
before he could get to his feet the for
ward wheel of the engine passed over his
head, breaking his neck and horribly
crushing his features.
He lived but few moments after and
never regained consciousness. Father
Mackell, the village priest, was a witness
10 the accident and administered extreme
JUNCTION to the dying man.
Franks body was taken in charge by
Mr. Milstead and sent to Baltimore on
the 4:l0 p. m. train.
The Flames Subdued
The firerlen stopped for only an instant
after the accident, and proceeded as rap
idly as possible to the scene of the fire.
A line of hose was quickly laid to the
river and all their attention was given to
saving the buildings adjoining the hotel
block, which was already in ruin. The
citizens of Laurel drew a long breath of
relief. Then they began to look around
10 see what damage had been done.
The hotels, the undertaking shop and
the stable had been entirely DESTROYED
The hotel registers had not been saved
and neither of the proprietors could give
a list of names of their guests. Aside from
MIR. Burr there were no Washington peo-
pie at either House
The entire loss caused by the fire. it is
estimated, can be covered by $40, 900. Mr..
Mllstead carried $500 insurance which
was placed in various amounts on the
several buildings by Thomas d. Bond. of
NO. 6l2 f Street. this city The policies
are in Mr. Milstead's safe, which has not
yet been recovered from the ruins.
Figuring Their Losses
MT M;lstead Is as yet unable to even
approximate his loss. His property is
scattered an over the village, and one of
his buggies was found late in the after
noon half mile out Main Street road.
The companies insuring Mr.. Milstead
were; The Glen Falls, the Reading. the
Western. of Wheeling, w Va; and the
Hartford.
Mr. Herbert carried 81 600 in the ROYAL
Of Liverpool; and 2000 in the Mutual, of
Montgomery country, on his building.
and $500 on his furniture in the ROYAL.
He says he cannot estimate his loss until
he collects his widely scattered effects,
but expects 1t to be S., 000
Across the street from the burned block