The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-27
CONEY'S CONFLACRATION
The Famous Summer Resort Dew
astated by Flames.
THE LOSS NEARLY A MILLION.

Deputy Fire Chief Declares That the
Fire Was of Incendiary Origin He
Discovered Traces of Kerosene on
the Board Walks and About Houses.
New York, May 27.--Coney Island
property Of the value of nearly million
dollars was destroyed by fire early yes
terday morning, 20 acres in the heart
of the summer resort section, the dis
trict known as THE Bowery," being
reduced to ashes. The two hundred
the Bowery and the ocean, Tilyou's
walk on the west and the old iron pier
on the east. These buildings ranged in
size ana Importance from Wabbly
bathing pavilion" to the handsome
ive-story Hygeia hotel including thea
tres, concert halls, dancing pavilionS,
stores of various kinds, restaurants
and hotels of every grade. The fra
made shetterless for time native
and transient population of about
$500 including 500 men and women,
classed as comedians and soubrettes,
and silenced no less than hundred
piGhoo "AlNA ApbC loi J J.ll StcolotCu
in merry making at Coney Island.
1t was nearly 3 a. H. when police
man discovered blaze in cottage
near the iron pier. A prompt response
of the fire department In answer to an
alarm had this trouble disposed of be-
fore $50, and the engines were about
going away when the same policeman
discovered another fire in Schefi1e's
palm pavilion, at the TilyOu's walk
end Of the district. This was the start
of the Gre and it spread in zigzag
line at frightful rate. Additional
alarms followed in quick succession
until 20 engines, some from as far
away as South Brooklyn were called.
In 10 minutes after the second fire
started the whole Bowery district was
in wild alarm. The thousands imme-
diately threatened rushed attired as
they slept. They were quickly joined
by the entire native and over night
population of the island, some 10000,
and a pell nell rush for salvage or
plumber took place. Scores of thieves
broke through the fire lines or entered
the district from the ocean side, and
their work of looting was wholesale.
A crowd carrying Off piano was one
sight which taught the police what
kind of crooks they had to deal with.
So far as known only four persons
were injured or burned and all will re-
cover. Deputy Battalion Chief Kirk
patrick says he is convinced that the
fire is of incendiary origin. He ar
rived at the conclusion owing to the
fact that the flames broke out in two
different parts of the island at about
the same time. both places being diff
cult Of access SO far as fire engines are
concerned and from the fact that upon
his arrival he found traces of kerosene
oil along the boardwalks and around
both houses where the fires originated.
Confederate Naval Captain Dead.
Montclair, N. j., May 27--Captain
Julian Myers, formerly of the Confed-
crate navy, died here Thursday night,
aged "A years He was born in Sa-
vannah, Ca. and at the age Of 10 en-
listed in the United States navy, where
he served with honor and distinction.
of congress for bravery When the
civil war broke out captain myers re-
signed his commission and started at
once for the south, where he Joined the
Confederate navy. He was at once
plsADd In command of the Hunts
wife, and took part in every naval en-
gagement with Admiral Farragut's
fleet below Mobile. Captain Myers, to
escape being captured by the Union
ships, was obliged to acuttle his ship.
He always refused to take the oath of
allegiance.