Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1900-11-29
A BIG BLAZE.
Large Livery Stable MysteriOusly
Burned Last Friday.
HORSES LOSE THEIR LIVES.
Most of the Contents of the Building
Destroyed, Entailing a Heavy
Loss on the Owner.

The most destructive and serious
conflagration that has visited Bridge
ton in years was that of Friday night
which destroyed the livery stables of
Harry d. shaw, burning to death
nine horses in the ruins, and prac-
tically consuming thirteen vehicles,
of one kind and another, with hun
dreds of dollars worth of harness.
1t was peculiar fire. Its origin is
a mystery, one that will probably
never be explained, and the sudden
ness with which the fire spread
throughout the structure was re-
markable. One moment that entire
property was in usual darkness. The
next and the red glare illumed the
neighborhood, flames shooting up
ward and outward from every part of
the building.
1t was but couple of minutes be-
fore seven O'Clock when the alarm
was received at the department. 1t
flashed over the wires from box No.
81, corner of Washington and Laurel
streets. The department responded
promptly, Chief Kinkle in command,
and the firemen found they had seri
GUS work cut out for them.
The main barn was ablaze from one
end to the other, the flames shooting
high in the air, menacing all of the
frame buildings in that neighbor-
hood Prompt and effective work by
the department. confined the flames
and they were controlled before they
had reached other property, except
ing one frame dwelling on Cohansey
street.
The spectacle was fearful one.
When the flames burst from every
part of the big building, there were
seventeen horses in the various stalls.
Those who quickly gathered about
witnessed thrilling, heart-rending
sight. The frenzied animals, wild
with awful pain, tugged at their
halter straps, broke them, rushed up
and down the barn, jumped over
stalls, collided with each other, seek
ing safety, relief-but finding none.
Seven of the horses managed to get
out or were led, but nine perished.
y One escaped and staggered from the
burning building. name and tail
blazing, eyes completely burnt out
and blood streaming from mouth ana
nOStrilS. One man grabbed for the
animal and pulled from it's neck a
great quantity of skin. The sight
was sickening and made people turn
away. Other horses escaped without
such fearful injuries, but were
burned, one quite seriously. The
maddened animals dashed out in the
streets smarting from their burns
and tore around for some time before
they could be captured and taken to
other stables.
In the meantime the other nine
imprisoned horses were slowly being
tortured to death, and happily their
sufferings were soon ended The
CHASTITY remains Saturday indi-
Gated the awful agony they went
through. Two were wedged together
in one stall, where they fell blindly
kicking each other until the end
came. All had their legs drawn out
OF shape, heads twisted, Indicating
the suffering. Literally roasted to
death. Skin and hair burned off,
the flesh baked In some instances
the flesh was burned from the bones.
In the meantime the firemen had
been Loyalty fighting and were gain
ing the mastery. In an hour the fire
was safely under control, and the
surrounding property was saved. The
tiremen did not withdraw until ten
O'Clock, making a three hours fight,
and then line of hose ana a couple
of men were left all night to keep
close watch.
When the alarm was turned in
Harry Shaw, the proprietor, was at
home on Walnut street, taking sup
per. He had one of his rigs. His
father, former Sheriff Shaw, had out
another single team, while third
horse was ut a grocery wagon. The
only one connected with the stable
when the fire was discovered, who
happened to be about, was Harry
Minks, hostler. This young man
was standing in the driveway near
the office talking to a friend, when
his attention was directed to the
barn by the horses kicking. He ran
down to the place and when he en-
tered the building he was confronted