Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-24
Sent HERE FOR APPARATUS
Wilmington Firemen BattIed
Flames at Salisbury.
THE FIRE WAS VERY STUBBORN

THE FIRE WAS VERY STUBBORN
Gotten Under Control Late Sum
day Night.
w. b. Miller's KindIing Wood Factory and
the Residences of Joshua Morris anti
Frank Bonneville Durned-The Plant OF
Jackson Bros. Co. Threatened.
Salisbury, Md, Oct. 21.-South
Salisbury was visited Saturday after
noon by oontlagration which destroyed
property valued at nearly $50, 600, and
threatened the destruction of the i'm
mense manufacturing plant OF tine Jack
son Bros. Co., valued ut more than
SOD, QUO. The fire started on the lop
of W. b. Miller's kindling wood factory
and as gale was blowing from the
southwest the flames were soou beyond
control Of tho firemen, who fought des-
peratsly to confine them to the mil
and by 30 doing save the three large
storage warehouses nearby. This was
impossible, and SOON the four build
ings, stored full nf dry kinding wood,
were a mass of fire., endering 1T i'm
possible to get within i100 feet Of them.
The flames soon ,enyeloped the residence
of Joshua Morris and the dwelling ad
joining, owned by Judge Holland ard
occupied by Frank Bonneville, directly
across the street from the mill, These
buildings were CONSUMED in few min
utes. Desperate efforts had to be made
to save the plant Of the jackson Bros.
Go. The full force of the Fire DEPART
ment was augmented by the force of
men employed by the Jacksons, who
brought into use all the fire apparatus
around the mill. Nothing but the di-
rection of the wind, which drove the
flames away from the big mill, saved
that building,
Three tire engines were. still playing
on the ruins last night. The home de-
parIment fought the fire for 10 con
secutive hours and kept it from the
manufacturing plant of the jackson
Bros, Go. until about O'clock yester
day morning, when the wind shifted to
the northeast, driving the flames di-
rectly toward the mill 1T seemed inn
possible to save the mill. and at the
urgent request CT W. p. jackson, Fire
Chief Sorman telegraphed TO Whining
ton, DEL, for help. A favorable re.
sponse came. and at 7.39 o'clock a
special train left Wilmington with two
steamers and 60 hremen under Chief
John T.. Welsh Of the Wilmington de
partment. The run to Salisbury of 10a
miles was made in 105 minutes. iuelud-
ing two stops and three slow downs
while crossing bridges. The depart
ment got to work about 8. 45, and last
night was still play ing on the ruins of
the millions Of bundles of dry kindline
wood, which stand in mounds more
than 90 feet high.
The Wilmington fremen will leave
today. They are being treated royalty
by the people of Salisbury. Meals are
served for them at the Peninsula Hotel
and every want is supplied. Trains over
the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk
railroad were delayed several hours
Saturday right, being unable to rass
through Salisbury on account OF the
intense heat and warping OF the rails
Yesterday section hands relaid the
damaged tracks. Telegraph wires which
were down haze been repaired. At
IL O'Clock last night the fire was under
control.
Mr.. Miller's loss is $4,000. The
kindliDg wood mill cost 81, 500, and the
three warehouses about $1,000. There
were stored in the warehouses 1900,
600, bundles of kindling wood, worth
$4,000, besides material enough to
make 1900, 900 more bundles, worth
nearly $4,000. Mr.. Miller has S14,T
insurance, 5000 on ths mill and the
balance on the warehouses and stock.
Mr.. Miller employed nearly rs girls
and men and had a payroll of between
$500 and S4C0 weekly. Mr.. Miller will
rebuild at once and expects to be in
oneration within two months. He left
Saturday night for Philadelphia and
New York to order new machinery. The
residence owned by Joshua Morris was
valued at $500; insured for about one
half Judge Hollands dwelling was
valued at $500; insured for $500. Those
occupying the two dwellings lost con-
siderable furniture, covered by insur-
ance. The electric light aud telephone
companies sustained considerable loss
by the burning OF poles ard wires.
WILMINGTON FIREMEN TO THE RESCUE.
In response to a telegram received
shortly after 6 o'clock yesterday morn
ing by Mayor Fisher, IN which the
mayor of Salisbury asked for assistance,
the Water Witch and Washington en-
gines and Reliance hose carriage, to-
gether with 60 men, in command of
Chief Welsh Of the local fire depart
ment, left for Salisbury at 7. 80 O'Clock,
on special train over the p, W. d b.
railroad, In charge of Engineer Luther
Hearn and Conductor Harry Easoin.
The Wilmingtonians arrived at Sails
bury shortly before 10 o'clook, and as
the fire appeared to he under control at
that time it was thought their services
would not be needed, but the blaze soon
broke out with renewed vigor and the
Wilmington apparatus was quickly in
service and did excellent work. Streams
were played on the fire all day, but
early in the evening" when 1t appeared
as if all danger was past, arrange
ments were begun for sending the Will
mington engines back home, but tho
blaze broke out again and it was de.
cided to have them remain all night.
The Wilmington firemen did excellent
work and it Is largely due to their
efforts that the fire did not extend to a
greater area. The people of Salisbury
were very appreciative and showed the
greatest courtesy to the Wilmington
ians. who were we'll taken care of while
in the city.
Three serious fires have occurred in
Salisbury during the east l5 years. and
each time the Wilmington Fire Depart.
ment has gone to the rescue and rem
dered effective service. The first big
fire was on October 18th, 1886, the
second in 1888, and the third on March
18th, 1899. The people OF Salisbury
have a great regard for the Fire De
partment of Wilmington.