Evening journal., 1899-12-06
TWO HORSES
BURNED TO DEATH
Disastrous Fire at Eighth and
Morrow Streets at OIs
O'clock This Morning.
ORIGINATED FROM OIL STOVE


ED BY THOMAS REYNOLDS.
BEsTE's PORK-PACKING PLACE
DAMAGED-FIREMEN DID GOOD
WORK.
Fire broke out this morning in the
rear of the establishment Of Bernard
Beste, hide and tallow dealer. Eighth
and Morrow streets. at 92O o'clock this
morning, and before the flames were
subdued two horses were burned to
death and several badly scorched.
The FIRE was first discovered by Mich
ael Mulschenock. of No. 704 West
Eighth street. who noticed flames is
suing from a small office situated in a !
stable yard to the south Of Beste s |
place, owned by Thomas Reynolds, of
No. 706 Monroe street. and rented by
Clement Keene. Mr. Mulschenock at
once sent in an alarm from box No 2S,
and the district engines responded.
HORSES BURNED TO DEATH.
The stable is used principally by
farmers who attend the Madison |
street market to put up their horses
during the time they occupy stands on
market days. To-day being one of the
Irregular market days, there were prob
ably thirty horses stabbed in the build |
| ing, and when the flames broke out the |
animals were panic stricken.
Mr.. Keene, who was in the immedi- |
ate vicinity when the fire broke out, |
at once ran to the stable. and by he |
al fIa nrtfr "a
the exception of two which were quar-
tered nearest to the office, where the
flames originated. These two, owned byl
John Rakestraw. of Kennett Square,
We're literally burned to crisp. Thel
cries of the poor animals could be
heard fer some distance, as the blaze
gradually crept upon them.
OTHER HORSES BURNED.
Close by the two burned animals was
a horse owned by Arthur Minner, of
Marshallton; one owned by Thomas
Prior, colored, of Bear Station, and a
horse and a mule owned by Henry
Bayard, colored. of Kirlwood. The
blaze flashed across the backs and
heads of the animals. singing the hair
lon and burning OFF the flesh on differ
lent portions Of their body. They were,
however, gotten out before they were
fatally injured.
There was brisk wind blowing att
the time the fire broke out, and the
flames soon leaped to the second-story
of the building adjoining Bernard
Bestes place, and which is occupied by
his brother, Joseph, who is also en-
gagged in the pOrk-packing business.
The upper part Of the building contain
ed number of bales of hay, which add
ed fuel for the flames. The firemen di-
lrected their efforts TO saving the struc-
ture, and soon several streams were
pouring upon it. In the meantime the
lcupola of Joseph Bestes building
caught fire, and it was with difficulty
that the building was saved from total
destruction. After an hours hard work,
however. the blaze was subdued and the
fire companies returned to their re-
'lspective engine houses.
CAUSE OF FIRE.
u Although not positively known it is
II asserted that the fire originated from
!; the explosion of an oil stove located
!; lin the Office at the rear of the stable
lyard. Mr. Keene. however denies this,
land states that he had extinguished the
= stove fully an hour and half before
s 1.-THE fire occurred, and that everything
I Twas all right when he left the place a
] short time before the blaze was discoy-
cred.
THE LOSSES.
Bernard Bickta places his loss by fire
e. and water ON building at about $4,000
o on which he carries an insurance of 81,
G 700 in the Farmers Mutual Insurance
Company Of New Castle county. This
does not include the loss on the con.
tents of the building
Joseph Bestc could not estimate bis
loss but stated that he had from POO e
300 hides in the cellar of his establish
I ment. which would probaly be a loss
He carries $500 insurance, placed in
the Chester County Mutual Fire Insur
ancc Company.
John Rakestraw places the value o
his two horses burned at $l25.
= Mr.. Reynolds states that the loss o.
his stable will amount to about 5000
y no insurance. Two wagons were ais
l. burned one, a buggy, owned by Fred
IL lerick Rioneer. employed as a drives
for the Chicago Bakery Company, anS
" a wagon belonging to William Walten
lie meir, who works for Daniel Biokta.
WORK OF FIREMEN.
The district fire companies were earl
IL on the scene and the work of the fire
g man was directed by Chief Sasse an
a Assistants Joyce and Purcell, who al
g rived almost at the same time as tn
81 apparatus. The Phoenix truck was frs
d. upon the scene, and soon had chem.
cal stream playing upon the fame:
Much favorable comment was mad
upon the manner in which the fireme
M, handled the blaze.
on After the fire had been extinguishe
IN, Joseph Beste supplied the fire fighter
with coffee and sandwiches, for whic
uo Chief Sasse extends his thanks on b.
an half of the firemen.
,as After the flames mad been in pr0gre'
for a short time Chief Sasse sent
telephone call to the Fame Hose Con
pany, calling them into service.