Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-16
Disastrous Fire.


houses on the east side Of Alfred street,
betseen Oronoco and Pendleton, about
a quarter past nine o'clock last night.
parually destroyed twelve house,.
The fire was Burning at midnight, al.
though it had been gotten under control
before that time and did not spread to
contiguous buildings.
Mrs. Sarah L. Skillman, an elderly
lady, who lived in one of the houses
which was destroyed, was suffering from
consumption, and was taken to the home
OF Mr.. John Travers, on Oronoco street,
and was removed to the hospital after
wards. She was carried from the burning
building By Mr. Trsvers' and Mr.. f. X.
Shinn. AS quickly IS possible she was
paced in the ambulance and the vehicle
started tor the hospital, but Mrs. Skill
man died before reaching that inSti'u-
tioE.
The Are department was On the ground
AZ soon a. possible, but the flames spread
with such rapidity that the occupants OF
the houses had scarcely time to escape,
and were unable TO save any of their be-
longings.
Robert Smith, volunteer, who was
endeavoring to save sOme Of the effects
in the house of Orlando Il. Daniels,
was overcome by smoke and fell sense
less on the Aoor. file was rescued after
much exertion and fighting with the
nSmes and smoke.
The origin of the FIRE is uncertain, but
it ia said that it was caused BY defec-
tive Cue 10 one of the houses about the
middle of the row
Tue loss on buildings is estimated at
as. 900 and 81, 900 to furniture. 10 only
some instances were there any insur-
ance either On the buildings or the
furniture. Some Of the houses were own
ed by the occupants, but the msjority IN
the row were tenements.
The homes occupied by the following
persons and their families were DESTROYED
Orlando Il. Daniels, Oliver BOgue, Pey-
ton #. Everett, II. X. Henderson,,
Thomas Henderson, Robert r. Robey,
Clarence Taylor, George K. Ballsrl, L +
gar Padgett, A. II. Elliott, Chales Bel
and Mrs jenkins,
10 the course of the fire whisky bar
rel in the saloon OF Peyton 7. Everett,
exploded with q loud noise. The
fging fragments we're scattered IN every
direction, falling upon SONS OF the hre'
men.
Policeman Jones had q narrow escape
while engaged in rescue work 10 the sec
ond story Of one of the tenements. The
roof caved in on hiu, and he had msct
difficulty in making his way to q win
dow. when he WAS assisted to the grouuG
on q ladder.
The houses were constructed abou
twenty years ago by Mr.. A. J. Wedder
burn, and the row bore bis name.
Mr. George Welker was badly burnec
about his face snd hands at the fire. H'
had iust entered one of the houses viii
the hose when an exclusion of some kint
occurred resulting in Mr.. Welker beinI
painfully hurt. He ia being attended
by DR.. German.
o. his return to the Columbia engin
house this morning Driver Henry Posel
got on a ladder to hang up the harnes
when be fell and badly sprained hi
foot.
So isr az known the property vas IN
sured tor $1,000. OF this amount tn
companies represented BY Schneider
Watf-ld had issued policies amountin
to "a, 200; NJ. B. Harlow & Co., 81, 4oV
L. Stsbler. 81, 400.
One of the houses was recently 10
sured by the owner who lives in wash
iugton. A short time sfterwsrd tn
wife of the man came here and directe.
the insurance agent to cancel the pol
icy. She was advised to let 1t RENAL
but she insisted and the policy was can
celIed. Last night the property was en-
tirely consumed.
This morning Mayor Paff, Polio
Chief Pettey, Alderme
II, City Sergeant Cox 40
delegation of ladies OF tn
harities and devised mean
shelter and food for thos
all at the fire last nigh
,hsnge OF views it was de
contributions for the SUI
e who want to aid in tn
can leave their contribu
ng stores Of f. L. ALE