The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-21
HEAVY LOSS IN
A FIERCE FIRE


stal men stood on the only portion of
| the flooring that did not go down and
had they been ten feet further towards
the front they would have gone down
with it. The men on the roof. for
tunately, kept position TO the rear on
the somewhat more elevated roof Of
the eastery side of the building. The
men on the ladders were struck by fly
| ing debris, but were more scared than
| hurt. They and the men on the rear
OF the roof sought safer places in
| stanter, but the Crystal men kept their
position until they had subdued every
bit Of fire within reach.
Great excitement prevailed on the
| roof when the crash came. 1t was
several minutes before 1t was fully re-
! lieved by the assurance that no one
was on the portion that fell.
CONTROLLED THE FLAMES.
This caving-in of the Shopland build
ing made it possible for the firemen
to get the upper hand of the flames
and at 10 o'clock they were practi-
| cally under control. The suburban
companies were gradually released and
naming to do but to finish off the vic
tory.
Nothing but praise was heard of the
| daring, energetic work of the firemen
and the effective manner in which it
was directed by Chief Hickey and his
| assistants. No paid department could
| have done better with the means at
| hand.
The police also aid praiseworthy SER
vice in handling the immense throng
that gathered from all parts Of the
| city. Ropes were stretched at Wyom-
ing and Penn avenues and the entire
| block was kept clear for the firemen.
| This work was directed by Lieutenant
| Davis.
The loss on Mr. Ladwig's stock is
estimated at from $4,000 to 100000 and
is said to be fully insured. His build
ing and fixtures would run the loss
up to $780, more. lie purchased the
property from Meyer Goldsmith two
years ago for $4,000. The building
then was valued at $4,000 and additions
and improvements were made which
would enhance its value $4,000.
MR.. WELCKER'S LOSS.
Mr.. Welcker stated that his stock Il
valued at about $33 900. After cur
sorry survey he thought the damage
would be in the neighborhood of s10,'
600 or $4,000. The damage to tn,
building can be repaired for $500
The fixtures were but slightly dam
aged. He carried $4,000 insurance il
the Boland, Eiesel and Norman
Moore agencies.
Mr.. Welcker was in his store direct
ing work in the millinery department
when the flames We're discovered mex
door. They had no sooner reached thu
street than the flames were BURSTING
out of the front of the Four Cent store
making it almost impossible for one tt
go into or come out of his store, 81
intense was the heat.
J. d. Williams & Bros. carried ;
stock valued at between $4,000 ant
$4,000. Fully one-third Of it was to
that it will not be saleablc even at
tAIr Far. no
recently rented the basement of tn
adjoining Henwood building and hat
most of their bicycles and much othe
valuable stock stored there.
When the fire broke out they carried
to this basement all the pCrtabl
goods that was in the basement un
der their own store. and as much a
they had time for of the goods on tn
ground floor. The water followed t
the Henwood basement and made then
move some of the goods a second time
placing them on elevations at tn
second moving. The firm will be read.
in the morning to proceed with thei
wholesale business. Entrance to TIL
basement is through the westerly doc
of tht Henwood building.
COVERED BY INSURANCE.
Williams & Bros loss is fully GOV
cred by insurance in companies repre-
sented by Phillips and Holmes, Henr,
Belin. jr., II. s. Keller, Schlager & CO
Paine & Son, and G. r. Smith.
The three buildings east of the thre
burned last night We're destroyed b.
fire Sept. Is. 1894, known as the Mat
thews Bros drug store fire and one o
, the costliest the city ever experienced
George Archibald, a member Of tn
Liberty company of the North END
was overcome by smoke during tn
latter part of the night and was take
to the Lackawanna hospital. He vii
be all right in the morning the physi
clans say.
About . o'clock this morning flame
began to dart from the roof of tn
Williams building, but they We're eX
tinguished without an effort
|