Evening star., 1909-05-13
HY0MEI
(nN1O AWEAlg1
Cures catarrh or money back. Just
breathe Tin. Complete outfit, including
inhaler 81. Extra bottles 50c. DruGgista
FIRE LOSS IS ABOUT $4,000
ALEXANDRIA MILL MEN UN-
DAUNTED BY DISASTER.
Smoot & Co. Already Open for Busi-
ness in Temporary Quarters.
Much Lumber Saved.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence OF ne StdF-
ALEXANDRIA. May 13. 1909.
~ smoldering mass of charred timber and
twisted machinery this morning marks
the site of the lumber mill and yards OF
w. A. Smoot & Co. The scene Is one
of desolation compared to the business
activity presented yesterday morning pre-
viOus to the big fire.
The fire, which was not completely sub
dued until about o'clock yesterday,
leaves a, burned area of half square on
the block bounded by Cameron. Queen,
Lee and Union streets, and a quarter of
a block southwark bounded by Cameron.
King, Lee and Union streets. OF the
big brick office of Smoot & Co. only a
portion of the walls is intact, while
the smokestack of the engine in the
boiler room is conSpicuously hanging
against the brick store building. of
Charles King, Son & Co. In the rear of
the site of the lumber mill Is large
quantity of lumber which escaped the
flames.
after careful estimates. will not be more
than $4,000. divided about follows:
W. a. Srnoot & Co.. $4,000: H. K. Field
& Co.. 5000: Corby bakery. $500; adjoin-
ing frame houses in neighborhood $1,000.
Already Open for Business.
Smoot & Co. this morning opened for
business the same as usual. Before noon
an engine and boiler was placed in po-
sition temporarily on the south side
of Cameron street for handling their
work. Mr. Smoot explained that the
business will be continued just the same,
as ne has at his command lumber yards
in Norfolk and Washington which will
furnish him all assistance needed. The
company has also opened temporary Of
fces In the Alexandria National Bank
building. When asked for an estimate
of his loss Mr.. Smoot explained that it
had not as yet been gone over, but he
believed $15,OOO would cover it fully. His
loss. as well as the others, is covered by
insurance, although Mr.. Smoot did not
give out the amount.
Mr.. Smoot said that the work of clear
ing away the debris will not be begun
until the underwriters come to this city
and appraise the loss They have been
apprised of the fire, and 1t is expected
that they will reach here within the
next few days.
Field Mills Runnig.
Field & Co.'S men are at work today
as the fire did not touch their planning
mill. The Corby bakery is a silent re-
mlnder of the intense heat Of the fire with
its bricks scorched and every window In
the establishment out, together with the
sashes badly burned.
A large crowd today viewed the scene
of the fire, and comments of all sorts
were made. 1t is regarded as more than
miraculous by those who saw the fire
that the planning mill of Field & Co. was
not destroyed, and there is but one thing
that saved ii. and that was brick house
adjoining, which served as fire wall. A
plug stream was last night kept on the
nre, and several lines or hose are today
on hand, but have not been used, as the
hre is dying out of its own accord
Following the receipt of report from
Fire Chief Wagner highly commencing
the tiremen who went 10 Alexandria to
fight fire yesterday, Commissioner Mac
iarland has asked the Commissioners To
authorize Fire Chief Wagner TO thank
the men concerned officially in behalf oi
the heads of the District government.