The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-10-28

Delmar, (vis Laurel) Oct. 90
Sixty three buildings and the major
portion OF their contents were con-
sumed here this afternoon by the
most disastrous fire that ever VS.
tied a Delaware town. The fire
broke out at ? o'clock this after
noon. and though under control, is
still burning. The loss is reported
at over one hundred thousand dol
lars.
Flames started in ex-Spe eaker
VIM, l.. Sirmau's stables. Burn
ing hay blew about ard heavy
wind sprea the flames until for 10
acres space all the buildings were
a gigantic field Of fire. Men fought
it's progress like demons while wo-
men and children grasped cherish
ed property from their homes. only
to see much OF it destroyed before
they could get it away.
Salisbury and Wilmington were
appealed to for immediate aid, but
the deadly work OF the flames was
accomplished before Wilmington 8
fire department could get under
way.
A special train from Salisbury
rolled over the line in 5 minutes to
bring one steamer, two hose carts
and a crowd OF tiremen, citizens
and politicians, who had been at
tendldg great Democratic rally
at Salisbury. The Delmar people
cried for Joy as the Salisbury rein.
forcements tumDled off the train,
but the tiremen were paraIyzed by
the lack of water.
Delmar had voted down the leg.
islative alan for water aystem,
because it would create a heavy
bonded Indebtedness. Tonight,
besides suffering loss of goods
and money, scores are homeless
and almost mad with excitement.
All property destroyed was on the
Delaware side of the town. The
fire was more disastrous than the
contlagration of August 1892, be-
cause less than so dwellings, were
destroyed and many OF them were
antiquated, while to.day's baptism
OF flame licked up the new and
handsomer buildings which had
arisen since that time
Appeals for assistance will have
to be sent out as there is on y ton
OF provisions in the place, except
what's in the pantries of intact
homes. Over 100 people who are
homeless are likewise destitute and
their more fortunate neighbors will
bo taxed beyond their means. The
fire was gotten under control abou
= o'clock. The properties destroy
ed were as follows:
W. l.. Sirman, factory, residence
and six dwelling housss, Loss $50.
600. Insurance. $4,000. Miss Emily
Freeuy. millinery, $500 j. NJ
Hearn. barber $500; W. S. Marvel
blacksmith. $500; NJ. f. Hitch. mil
linery, $1,000: Dclmar Union store
$500: Giving Culver, hardware
| $4,000; W. b. Elliott, residence
store and stock, 10000; James f
Wilson 4 Co., clothing, $500; W
G. Elliott, residence. hardware
store and warehouse, sll00; W, r
Sirman, residence aud store. $4,000
j. W. Hastings. residence and con
tents, $500; W. S. Marvel, resi-
deuce, 5000; post office building
$500; Haviugs g. Co q store, al
contents and fixtures, $ll. 900; Lev
in Hastings, residence and two
houses, $1,000; Solomon Stephens
residence, $500; Stephen r. Wal
ler, residence, $500; Mrs. Waller
house, $1,000; DR.. Ellegood, Office
store, residence and contents. $4,000
Handy Culver, residence, $4,000; J
l.. Ellis, residence and contents
$4,000; NJ. M. Ellis. residence. $1,000
J. J. Culver. residence. $500; Mrs
Jahnson Ellis, house, $500; DR.
James Brashawa. pharmacy ant
residence, $25OO, insurance. $1,000
John J. Culver, residence, $4,000
John w. Metson. residence, $4,000
Delaware school house, $500; Hay
mans. blacksmith, $500: II. ]. Jope
| residence. 5000.