Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1910-12-29
State Circle Property Damaged By
Flames, Smoke and Water.
DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT S25. 900
Wilson's Old Place Wiped Out-Dr. Claude's Dental
ParIors Gutted-Y M. c. A. Gutted-Howards
Plumbing Shop and Mosss Store Flooded.

shed that were destroyed, in these
fires. it has been suspected there is a
frebug in town, as it is thought
these fires were of incendiary ori-
gin. Following so closely and so
mysterously, the fire early this
morning has given rise to the ques-
tion of asking State Fire Marshal
Thomas Ewell to come here to in
vestigate cause of fires of recent
date.
This mornings fire was discovered
by DR.. Pickerell, U. 6. N, who
lives in the Claude Apartment and
who first turned in the alarm. There
was some difficulty in getting the
water pressure, and the engine
which has a pressure of 120 pounds
steam would not respond to but 20
pounds, after a time. IA new engine
is needed, and fund of about SO, 800
has been raised from a bazar and
otner entertainments, but S8, 500 is
needed for an automobile engine, the
kind desired, it is said. However,
citizens and taxpayes whose life and
property are at stake. ought to be
willing to subscribe the additional
sum.
One of the old-fashioned fire plugs
refused to open when needed, and had
to be burst open. The volunteer
firemen worked heroically. Too much
Praise cannot be given the city vol
unteer firemen, all of whom respond
ed to the alarm and for five hours
fought the fire, some remaining at
the scene far into the day. They de-
serve all credit. One fireman has
been laid up for six weeks. He sus-
tanned a broken knee cap at this
mornings fire and is incapacitated
for work for nearly two months.
During the fire Mr.. Joe Smith,
tailor, Maryland avenue, had the
Greek restaurant make hot coffee for
the fremen. Mrs. Phil. Miller,
Maryland avenue, sent a pot of hot
coffee and Mr.. Wiegard also sent
coffee. Later Mr.. Smith sent sand
witches to the hard worked and wet
fremeu.
If ladies who live near where there
happens to be fire would only think
to make hot coffee for the fremen
during a fire, it would help matters
wonderfully, but oftentimes they DO
not "think. "
There is a singular coincidence
about the fire, occurring as it did in
the vacant building of c. A. L. Will
son, for which Mr.. Wilson had award
ed the contract to have it torn down
today. The fire saved him that
trouble and expense as the building
is burned to the ground and only the
ashes are left behind to tell the tale.
The fire created great excitement
all over town. The flames shot up
higher than the Y M. C. A. Building,
and could be seen for miles. At sew
eral times the State House was light
ed up and presented beautiful sight
blocks away. The scene of the fire
was more or less spectacular, and
was witnessed by hundreds of people.
State House Hill, the vantage ground,
being crowded with spectators for
several hours.
Had it not been for the heroic work
of the volunteer fremen, who battled
with the flames at the risk of life or
limb, the entire block of frame build
ings on Maryland avenue and State
Circle would probably have gone up
in smoke, and as a nest of these is
directly in the rear of the Y. NJ. c. A.
Building, it is almost miracle that
they escaped.