Evening journal., 1904-02-08

Market street station OF the y. g. o.
Railroad. The officials OF that COM
pany had "a special train IN waiting
for the engines and haemen. Two fiat
cars were backed down 20 the cross
ing where the engines We're waiting.
They had been hauled there by the
horses Of the respective companies but
were then unhitched and returned to
the stables.
Chief Conway and First Assistant
Porter were there TO direct the loading
Of the engines and hose carts but this
was delayed for short time because
Of the absence Of the sllids used to run
the apparatus up on the cars. These
were finally located and placed in po-
sition. Ropes were attached to the
hose carts first and they We're hauled
over the railroad tracks to tile siding
The ends OF the cars had to be taken
out before the apparatus could be run
in. When this was done about 75 men
climbed on TO the ear and after heav-
ing and tugging for several minutes
they succeeded I'm getting the first hose
cart aboard. IL was that OF the Wee
cucoe company and as 1t IS one OF the
now four-wheel carts much heavier
than the old style reel truck OF the
Reliance which was shortly afterwards
put on the car without much trouble.
The hose wagons were securely bolted
TO the floor and then tied down with
strong ropes so they would not roll or
rock on while tho train was IN motion
This car was speedily gotten out Of the
way end another nat ear backed On, on
which the two engines were loaded. This
proved a much more difficult task as the
engines weigh several tons and were un-
calmly and clumsy 70 handle. 10 required
the cfiorts Of one hundred men 60 pull
them up on the car. bat they finally suc-
lcecdod after pulling on thom for several
minutes. The engines also were securely
bolted and tied to the car. They had been
covered previously with canvas ana
blankets to protect them from the dust
and dirt and clnders. so that the machin-
ery would be in perfect working order
when II arrived in Baltimore and ready
for immediate use.
Three day coaches were provided on Inc
same train for the accommodation OF the
dremen who were TO accompany tho en-
gines. only those who had the badge Of
the Wcccacoe or the Reliance companies
we're allowed to get on the cars. Nearly
ail the members Of these two companies
were present and only too anxious TO get
q chance 10 80 to the scene Of the FIRE.
Chief Conway and Assistant Chief Por-
ter looked after the shipping OF tho en-.
sines and the hremen, and when every ono
bad gotten aboard they climbed on to the
ars and the train pulled out OF the sta.
ion promptly at 1922 o'clock. IL was IN
charge OF Conductor G. Hale. Tho cngi
nccr was George Buxton and tho fireman
6. Marsh. a. p. Offutt was the nagmal
II the special and Burton Mullen. brake
man. j. II. Mulhouser. trainmastor on th'
Baltimore & Ohio railroad. sccompanio,
he train and It was under mis- persona
supervision while I'm transit. Engine No
81. one OF the largest and best express
ngines ON the Baltimore e. Ohio railroad
was attached to the train. orders werl
ssued TO give the special clear tract
% Baltimore and Il was expected that tn
train would make the trip in record time
Al the fire companies In lhe city wer
lanxious TO go. The members begged an'
lpleadcd with Chief Conway and Assistan
Porter 10 give them orders 10 go. an
wn after the other companies had re
|NAfNA 'AN'Ao HtA ~ iH'Nt Nht1 htNN tiAci
apparatus IN readiness IN the hope tina
ut the last moment they would get q
opportunity 70 go to Baltimore.
The reflection OF the fire could be see
rom the high buildings IN this city an
; The roof OF the Equitable Building and n
Hotel Wilmington were crowded wit
= people watching the iurid sky.
Crowds Of people left this city 10 Wis
che scene Of the disaster. Several linz
men were IN the party to render any al
hey could IN repairing the wires. Il wa
learned late last night that two FIRE CON
panies from Chester had been called o
for assistance and at once responded
They were hurried 70 Baltimore on a SD,
slal train.