The Washington times., 1909-05-12
stores fronting on King street, Just
east OF the mill

stores fronting on King street, Just
east OF the mill
Fields Loss.
With every prospect OF the mill being
saved. Fields loss vslI not exceed $4,000
This is partly covered by insurance.
placed with two local companies and
several New York companies.
". A. Smoot would have nothing 20
say regarding the insurance on his
property. The value placed upon the
mill and lumber lost by the smoot con-
Germ IS estimated at not less than 100000
Remarkably quick time was made by
the Washington Fire Department in
getting two engines to the scene Of
the conflaSration. The department re-
ceived a call for aid at 1890 O'clocA, and
st u.45 had the two engines on the
scene of the ire. Ii took the Wash
ingfon tiremen just four minutes after
tho engines were unloaded from the cars
to put them in position. get UP steam.
and have water on the flames.
Had Il not been for the check given
the fire by the arrival Of the Washing
ton engines, the coniiagration doubt
less would have spread to the mill be-
longing to the Fields company, con-
sumed the wholesale grocery houses
10 the next block. A square further
II would have encountered the lumber
yards Of Aitcheson Brothers.
Volunteers Aid.
Besides the FIVE streams OF water
pouring upon the fire, volunteers with
buckets fought the flames from every
side In addition TO this. private lines
of hose attached 10 buildings in the
vicinity Of the fire were also brought
into use. Hundreds Of persons, not only
from the city but from the surround
ing country who had been attracted by
The dense smoke along the water front,
diScernible for several miles. obStructed
the streets adjacent to the fire. IL
many of the buildings along the water
front. q square east or the ire, furni-
fure was moved out.
Papers and books were also moved to
places OF safety and families stood in
readiness 10 vacate their premises at
any time. Some Of the more daring spec
tators entered the lumber yards Of both
companies and carried out lumber in
horse carts and by various other plans.
The streets Of Alexandra. except those
in the vicinity Of the fire, were entirely
desterted. Shortly before noon. every
car from Washington was crowded with
persons who had made the trip over TO
watch the fire, at one time believed 70
menace the entire city across the Poto-
mac
The number OF Neutrality-suspicious. con-
stantly increased during the early after
noon, and by 3 o'clock several thousand
had come over from the Capital.
Extra Police Aid.
So large did the crowd become that
representatives of the Washington police
force were detailed TO assist the Alex
andrfa authorities IN enforcing order.
Until the arrival of the Washington
engines, George W. Petty. directed the
van. CT the Washington department.
took command shortly before the Wash
ingtOn steamers arrived
A call was sent to Washington for the
freDoat, but II Was in the drydock being
repaired The repairs were rapidly com
pleted. however, and the boat reached
Alexandria at L O'Clock
"Roof Fighters"
Councilman Howard ". Smith strug-
Ezed manfully with a hose at one time,
and his fellow-councilmen. L. G. Uhler
and L 9. Leadbeater. Joined what was
known as the roof fighters" standing
guard TO prevent dangerous sparks from
spreading the fire 70 adjoining build
fngs.
To the roof watchers, perhaps. IS due
the fact that the establishment of King
q Sons and A. w. Barnett ESCAPED
without injury, for as soon as a spark
dropped upon the infiammsble roofs a
waiting watching Pounced upon II, and
the bucket brigade again triumphed.
Fire Losers.
After the excitement had subsidized it
was found THAT bat three concerns will
be actual losers BY the FIRE. although a
number were put to serious inHon-
venienoe for fear that the flames would
spread to their possessions The losers
are. ". A. Sm0ot & Co. estimated
gTstIl
mated $4,000. and w. ~ Barnett. hard
ware dealers. damage to roof. about $50.
The roofs Of the establishments con-
Quoted by Charles King & Sons. whole
sale groeers. and the branch establish
7ent OF Corby's also caught fire. but
" ere quickly extinguished. without dam
age by the bucket brigade
Practically all Of Alexandria was
upon the scene. Business was suS-
pended uptown and some Of the mer-
chants closed their places of business
ano mingled with the thousands near
the water front.
Fire Boat On Scene.
Captain stulpz brought the hreboat
down. 1t was tOwed part Of the dis
fance, but on the way got up sufh-
cient steam TO outdistance the tue
which started with 1t. The boat pulIea
alongside the wharf OF the Washington
anu EObotiaC Sl6dnDOal company and
Immediately opened upon the fire with
three streams OF water.
All eighteen OF the nozzles on tn,
boat were later put into pIa-.
Lieut. J. +. Sutton and Sergeant Dear
OF the Harbor Police, Of Washington
with three privates, were the first Z,
arrive on the scene OF the IRE. Tbil
force was Increased by six other officer
from Washington who arrived shortl,
before. -
Besides the wholesale grocery hons,
OF r. b Harper four other business