The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-02-13
WESTMINSTER FIREMEN.

They Render Valuable And Efficient Ser
| vice In Saving Theatre And Prevent
ing The Fire From Crossing Jones Falls
| And Entering East Baltimore.
| While the fierce fire was raging in Balh
more last Sunday evening the Western Mary
land Railroad authorities teegraphed to the
Westminster and Union Bridge fire companies
| to hold themselves in readiness to aid IN check
ing the fire in Baltimore. They were prima
rily called upon to protect the railroad prop
| erty at Hillen Station, in which direction the
| fire was eating its way. A special train wss
provided for the two companies. The West
minister fremen we're rung up by the fire bell
about II O'Clock at night, and all Westmln-
ster was alarmed and up at the same time,
| thinking FIRE had broken ont here. No flames
being visible in any part of the city the most
of the people retired to their beds again,
though many went to the station to see the
| firemen off
The fremen responded promptly to the call,
about thirty going, including Edwin W. Shrl-
ver a former member of fire company on
Long Island New York, john Fl. Elgen and
John l.. Reifsnider, Jr., who were asked TO
volunteer for the occasion.
THE ENBARXATIoN.
| The special train left Westminster a few
minutes after u clock, the Westminster fire.
men taking with them two reels and 1000 feet
Of hose leaving three reels and 1900 feet at
| home for emergencies that might call for their
| use here. The Union Bridge company car
ried one reel and hose.
SWIFT Run TO BALTIMORE.
The train made the run to Hillen in fifty
minutes, including three short stops-one TO
pass The Owl" another for orders and the
third at the tunnel at Fulton. On parts of
the road the speed obtained was nearly 90
miles an hour.
PUT INTO SERVICE.
When Hillen was reached the wind bad
changed and the services of the hremen were
not needed there. The Westminster company
was turned over to the city fire department,
and taken to Baltimore street, east of the
MARYLAND Institute, while the Union Bridge
company, not being so well equipped. was not
not put into service by the city. The West.
minister men were divided into two sections,
and each was supplied with a steam IRE en-
CINE One bad Baltimore steamer and the
other had Philadelphia steamer, aGd with
each Was supplied fireman and engineer.
A. THEATRE SAVED.
One section was placed at kernans Monu
mental Theatre at the bridge over Jones
Falls. Fierce flames burned in a broom fac
tory across Baltimore street and sparks fell
thick and fast from the burning buildings to
the west. The boys worked nobly, lighting
the fire from the roof of a covered way leading
to the bowling alleys 10 the rear OF the theatre,
a rather dangerous place to stand upon. The
theatre was afre number of times, but at the
FIRST showing of little blaze it was quickly
extinguished. The boys were on duty about
six hours. when they we're relieved, but the
great confagration had turned southwark TO
ward the basin and the theatre was safe from |
damage.
BRIDGE AND BUILDINGS SAVED.
While the theatre was being protected the /
other section was doing heroic work Two blocks |
to the south on Lombard street. Here the |
bridge across Jones' Falls Nas saved. Il i \ /
structure abou, so feet long aud - wide. II
caught fire a number Of times, from the under |
side, the top being covered with concrete. !
The bows got down into the Falls, two or three /
at a time, and extinguished the flames as Of /
ten rs they appeared, and saved the bridge. /
Where they stood in the Falls the waller Vas /
over two feet deep. This section also crossed I
the bridge numerous times 70 exnngugsh the /
fires NJ buildings on the east side Of the Falls
They succeeded in saving the building OF the /
National CAsket Company on the east SIDE /
adjoining which was a building IN which knee (
pants we're manufactured. with paint aud on
establishment above. Had the hre gotten head
way on the cAsket company building. the ad |
Joining buildings would have speedily fallen a
prey to the flames, and probably large psrt /
Of East Baltimore been devastated.
EAST BALTIMORE SAVED.
The Westminster freusn, therefore, by saw
ing keruan's theatre. the Lombard street
bridge and the caskei company's building.
checked the eastward course Of the ire and
saved Eas, Baltimore al two important points.
The weather was cold aud q strong north wind
l. L. a.
fought hravely and we're commended by the
Baltimore press and city bremen tor their val
liable aud heroic work.
JEW AND GUN B3uTs.
Like upon all such occasions cXtortion Is
practiced by those who are permitted 10 DO /
so. One OF the volunteers with the hessmin
ster company wanted pair Of rubber boots
On Harrison street be saw pair he thought
would suit. They were second -hsad goods.
but the Hebre~ who kept the store asked $500
fur fhem The volunteer thought dollar Was
sufficient and laid il down and carried Of the
boots. The Iew protested and called 20
iceman. Who accosiej the volunteer The lai.
spr explained that be Was volunteer witb The
Westminster company, and needed the boots.
hat that il The policeman desired il he would
take the boots back and get bis dollar. The
policeman told him TO take the boots ard 60
along, reularking that the rascal ought 10
have given the boots 10 bin, rs be had come
a long distance TO save the property Of the
city The policeman gave the Jew some plain
words. aud the incident closed.
None Of the Westminster hFensn were ia
iured beyond getting their hands scorched
aud few bruises on them, except frsuk VI.
Stevens. whe came near losing an eve from n
hot ciuder. IL Is still quite painful.
The following letter from II. G. Clark. man-
ager Of the Western Maryland Railrnad Con-
pany. Baltimore. IS highly complimentary 10
the Westminster Eiremea, aud disciaIIns any
credit TO the ra,lrrad company for their good
work
Baltimore Nj FehEasry 3. lsoL
Mr. J. Cunuin ham Westminster. Nd
DKAR sIR.-Mr Prau has brought 10 ms atten'
zion YOU letter 81 the s1h instant. ard we are
pleased to learn Of the effective WORK done b. the
members OF the Mestmins 81 Fire Company IA the
early morning Of san instant IN Szrini krTuEu's
Monumental Thestrc and the haliding tAf the Ma
tionAl CAsket tunpany from destruction Knd IN
preventing the Gre from spreading on The east side
Of the Fails near Be fillmore street. which sc were
fore receiving your letter. We Ntsh 20 dlsciAAm.
however any credit for the good and eAcsaut work
dame By the members Of your Company. The Intel
igent manner in which you grasPst the situation
and handled yourselves nj vital points IN TIE Nne
OF the Gre sure will Be very gratifying 10
BaItimoreaus when they aware Of the great
personal risk you took in doing everything within
your power 70 check the SPREAD Of the nfe beyond
| good You have done until we have reeoverrd from
| the surveying effects OF the great calamity
We are glad to know that the members Of your
Company escaped without injury and seAeh home
/ in safety after their splendid efforts
Yours Truly, II. G. CLARK Manager.