The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-03
The Burned District.

On the streets in the vicinity Of the
fire, which was within two blocks of the
Escolta, the widest confusion reigned
for some time. people scurrying here,
there, and everywhere. The blaze had
started in n row Of two story modern
buildings, with brick foundations on the
Gale In Coste, In the center OF the Chi
nesc. section, and as several OF these
had been fired within a few minutes OF
each other, 1t soon assumed alarming
proportions. The local fire brigade
turned out with commendablc prompti-
tudc, but with more zeal than dlscre-
tion, proceeded to pour three tiny
streams Of water from as many lines
Of hose. upon the rod hot brick walls OF
the buildings fired. which were already
doomed, Instead OF attempting 10 pre-
vent those opposite and adjacent from
ignlting. The consequence was that by
the time General Hughes and his men
arrived on the scene and commenced
to clear the streets, the fire was spread
ing on both sides Of the Caile la Coste
and stiff breeze was tanning 1t for
ward.
!. cut five times and other impedlments
Upon learning OF this. General Hughes
Issued orders to his men to shoot the
first man who interefcred with the
checking of the flames. or attempted to
start others. Several natives who
picked up burning wnnds and started
off with them were either shot or bayo-
netted by the guards. and then a gen.
cral round up of all natives on the
streets In the vicinity was ordered, AS
thousands of people were vacating their
houses and carrying off their effects
and the sidewalks and roadways were
Uttered with furniture for blocks, this
was work of some difficulty, but by
degrees the soldiers corralled hundreds
Of protesting natives and hustled them
into yards and vacant lots. where they
were guarded until the excitement SUBJ
sided.
About . o'clock the European volun-
teer fire brigade arrived on the scene
with n modern engine and after three
hours work, the fire was controlled.
Meantime. the whole of the block In
which the blaze originated, two-thirds
OF that on the opposite side OF the
street and a block and half west OF It
had been completely gutted.
Another Conilasration. =.
Shortly after midnight. just as the
weary workers and watchers were re-
pairing to their quarters. congratulate
Ing themselves that the fire, bad though
1t was, had been no worse. another
blaze was reflected from the smole be-
c.ouded sky In the direction OF Tondo.
This being the most delsely populated
native district in the city, which had
always been identified with the rebel
cause, preparations were at once made
for the trouble, and 1t was not long In
coming.
No sooner had the fire brigade coupled
its hose and commenced to play upon
the flames which had again started In n
block of buildings occupied by Chi
ncse, than shots were fired at the men
from the windows OF adjacent houses.
Companies L and NJ, OF the Second Ore
gon volunteers. ind NJ and +, Thir-
teenth Minnesota volunteers, under
Major Wills were hastily reinforced by
Major oGodnle's battalion OF the Twen-
ty-thlrd Infantry, an attempt was made
to clean out the neighborhood. Sudden
ly, however. shots were Ared down half
dozen streets ut once, and when this
fusilade was followed by volleys from
Mausers In the vicinity of the rail-
way station, It was realized the enemy.
had snealied around to the left flank Of
the outfosts at Caioocnn BY way Of the
creeks and estuarIcs. In the Villas dis
trlct and that there was other worls
than ishtlnn fire 10 be done. As the
strength OF the enemy was unknown. 1t
was tcltllsh situation to cope with,
but tt had 10 be met, and the Amcri-
cans. regulars and volunteers. alike,
met It like men. a slSlrmisli line fully