Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-02-07
Destructive Fire.

nv thOHt u0ctIuCttNG lAE NA HQit-
enced in Martinsburg for many years
occurred on Thursday night, or rather
Friday morning at about $50 o'clock.
The factory of the Stewart Vehicle
Company was totally destroyed in
spite of the most heroic actions OF our
vigiient firemen. The building, owned
by Mr.. s. A Westenhaver, was entirely
of frame and when the fire once got
thorough hold it could not be extingulsh
ed. The large quantity of dry materials
and infiamabie paints and oils weie
licked up by the flames like straw and
made such blaze that for sometime 1t
looked As if many surrounding build
ings must 60. The two fine residences,
ON the opposite side ef Winchester ave
nue. were In great danger. The fencing
was burned and both were saved oaly
by the careful watch of the firemen.
The two houses are the homes Of Sher
if f. ID. Gardner and his sister, Mrs.
Susan Hannis.
| The fire was discovered by Mr.. E. @.
Staff, night Waterman at the Craw
ford Wooden Mills who smclled the
smoke and followed the scent until he
discovered the fire AS soon as the
alarm was given Ryneal Chemical re
sponded They attached their hose TO a
| plug just opposite the factory but for
some reason could not get water They
next attached TO the plug at the corner
OF John street From this plug their
| hose was short and Hose Company z
and piiced while No 8 sliced to the
KilDourn system Two lines were run
from the kilbourn mills and these did
| splendid work The force was great and
showed that the new system in that
plant is very effective and mighty
valuable asset to the plant
The flames were soon communica
4 ted to the large ole-story cooperage
building ON the corner just north of the
carriage factory and ii too was destroy
ed with its contents 1t was owned by
Miller Storage Company and was 10
tai loss The building owned also by
Mr. Westenhaver and occupied by him
4 as a work shop aud the Oriental Rug
\ Company was saved but was ON fire
several times
L he origin OF the fire is unknown but
it was plainly seen by those early on
scene that the fire started In the ex
IRENE western end k
There was nothing saved bat the of
flee effects which were in the extreme
eastern end The factory has been rum
ming in full force for several months on
orders to be delivered In the early
spring and the building was full Of
materials aud work completed and un-
competed. The company lost $50 bug
gies, about $50 buggy gears and large
number Of jobs competed and ready
fo- shipment and the workmen lost
many valuable tools &c. The total loss
is estimated at about $4,000 which ID
a little more than two-thirds covered
by insu rance. The building was in
suredat S5000 nearly its full value.
The fine new history factory of the
company standing just west of the old
site aud along the line OF the G. v. X.
r. has just been completed and the
company was preparing to move in a
FEW days. They are most fortunate Id
having the new building ready for
they Will be able 10 push work right
along and still fill their spring orders
though they may be 80 days late IN
their delivery.
/ The heaviest loss to the company ID
the large number of pieted Jobs
which had been worked up 10 near the
finishing point that they might be
turned out with great rapidity.
There is much sympathy for the
gentlemen for their heavy loss but
they are commended for the deter
mined spirit with which they take
hold to pull the business out of tht
ashes, as it were.
! The Stewart Vehicle Company was
incorporated last June. But for year
and a half before that it was partner
ship concern, the proprletors being
Messrs. II. N and Claude w. Stewart
rhe officers are: President and Mana
ger Claude w. Stewart; secretary, w,
w. Downey; treasurer, h. N. Stewart
director and attorney n. II. Emmert.