Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1910-10-01
cHEsTERTOWN'S BIG FIRE
Nearly Whole Business Block
in Ashes


The most disastrous fire in the history
of .ChestertoWD, Nd, occurred Monday
night, when nearly q whole business
block was destroyed, entailing loss esti.
mated from $75. 900 to 500, 900.
The FIRE originated in the planning and
saving department. Of Davis & Satser6eId's
large carriage and implement works on
Cross street, and burned iercsly for Eve
hours, spreading rapidly from one build.
ing to another until the entire block ex.
cept three buildings, was consumed.
The fire was fret discovered about seven
o'clock and the volunteer fire company
responded promptly to the alarm. bnt
owing TO the highly infammable con-.
struction and occupancy Of the building
and those Immediately adjoining, the
heroic efforts of the fremen we're IN.
awaiting, and as one building after an.
other was devoured by the flames, the
entire popuIace became horror-stricken
with the appalling sight, and the even
more fearful contemplation Of what
seemed the inevitable destruction Of the
entire town.
Shortly after the fire begun, when its
grave nature was comprehended, Captain
Thomas D. France telegraphed to Will.
mington for aid.
This call was responded to cheerfully
by the Fire Department of that city by
the sending Of three fire engines and $50
men. However, owing to some delay
this assistance did not arrive until after
the fire was under full control by the
Chestertown workers. The Wilmington
fremen coupled upon their three engines
to o live Of hose from the river and aided
in extinguis5ing the menacing embers Of
the ruins. Fire chief Moran, Of the Viii.
mington Department, declined to accept
any compensation for the services Of him
self and companies.
The buildings and properties destroyed
were: .
Davis & Satterfsld, blacksmith and
wheelwright shops, and lumber sheds,
carriage repository and store building,
also small frame dwelling. together With
the entire contents.
William @. Sutton's building occupied
by John E. Matthews, Adams Express
agent. Mr.. Matthews lost nearly ell his
household furniture. He succeeded in
saving the greater part Of the express
matter. The stables in rear Of this prop.
erty were also destroyed.
William L. Fowler's store and dwelling,
building, and stock Of wall paper and
paints Mr.. Fowler lost nearly ell his
household furniture. Also stable in rear.
Mrs. Thomas D. Bowers store and
dwelling building, occupied by James w.
Kirby as dwelling and marble works.
Mr.. Kirby lost all bis stock and household
furniture.
William A. Burk's dwelling and shoe
shop, including nearly all the household
furniture, and shoe repairing equipment.
John s. Vandegrift's dwelling and bar.
Der shop. Mr.. Vandegrift saved consid-
cradle Of his furniture and equipment.
Small brick building occupied by Mr..
Nickerson as shoe repair shop.
The John Bordley store and dwelling
on corner High and Cross streets, occu.
pied by Thomas s. Bordley as clothing
store, and Mrs. ]. G. Loud's dwelling and
restaurant.
M. A. Toulson's brick building occu.
pied as gents furnishing store, by Vansant
& Newsome.
NJ. A. Toulson's brick building occu.
pied by Mr.. Toulson as dwelling and drug
store.
James S. BradIey's brick building ocCu-
pied as dwelling by himself and by James
Il. Sinister as shoe store.
NJ. A. TouIson's brick and frame
building occupied by McIntire and
Hodgkin as grocery store.
Jacob T. Thompson's frame building
by A. W. Carmine, notions
and groceries; and H. Kaplan. tailor:
also stable in rear.
W. r. Maui and sisters frame building
by W. P. Newman, musical
and Diamond State TeIe.
phone Exchange, also stable 10 rear.
W. R. Maui and sister; frame building
as dwelling and store.
/. James s. Bradley's frame building
by Robert Moffett as dwelling
and meat stand; also stable in rear.