Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-31
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Acid Plant of Chemical Conn.,
pany Damaged by Fire.
LARGE BUILDING IN RUINS
George v. Peyton Honor Guest at
Reception and Recipient of
Gift-General Items.

Special Correspondence Of The star
ALEXANDRIA, Va. May 3O.-One of
the most spectacular as well as most
Stubborn of fires seen in the vicinity of
ehe river front in many years was that
"hich at 10 o'clock tonight destroyed the
north end of the acid plant of the Alex
anorla Fertilizer and Chemical Com
pahE' which is located at the intersection
OF l mon and Oronoco streets
fortunately there was hut little wind
blowing at the time otherwise the fire
loss on the river front in that vicinity
would doubtless have ben heavy. Sit
uated nearby is the city gas works, and
within close radius to this are located
the tanks of the Standard Oil Company
The tiremen worked hard and kept the
fire confined to the north end of the
structure. The part destroyed was a
frame building, fully seventy feet in
helght and half a square long and almost
as wide. 1t was known as ''the tower"
and in II were the burners used in the
manufacture of the acid. They arc a
total wreck There was also consider
able oil in the building
Officials of the company declined to-
night to make an estimate of the loss
but ii was stated it would he several
thousand dollars. and is said to be COW
eTeo Dy insurance.
Cause of Fire Not Known.
Just how the fire originated is unknown
The blaze started in the north end and
gained considerable Roadway before the
arrival of the fire department. Employees
of the company had several streams play
ing on the structure when the tiremen
arrived
A big brick tirewall separated the burn
ing building from larger frame one,
containing the tanks used by the con-
Germ in the manufacture of the acid.
The brick engine room is also between
the structures.
The fire attracted thousands of people.
many of whom remained until midnight
watching the firemen fight the blaze
1t was at first thought it would
be necessary to send for the Washington
Ffretighter.
The Alexandria companies. however.
with twelve streams of water playing on
the building We're able to handle the fire.
The blaze could be seen in Washington
and many from that city came over to
Alexandria and joined the crowd of spec
tators.
Farewell Reception to G. v. Peyton.
AS expression of the esteem in
which he is held by the employees under
him. George V. Peyton. for the past
seven years division superintendent of
the Washington division of the Southern
railway, who has been transferred to
Columbia. s. G.. effective June l, was
tonight rendered a farewell reception and
banquet at the Young Peoples building.
1t was attended by 300 railroad employees.
The banquet was given by those employed
TN hra, of NO
Mr.. Peyton has supervision. 1t was one
of the largest gatherings Of railroad men
seen here in many years.
Mr.. Peyton was presented with
handsome new automobile also the
gift of the railroad employees, and this
presentation was to him an almost over
whelming surprise.
The banquet hall was prettily deco
rated. and during the evening num-
Der of piano selections were given by
James +. Wells. Whitestone & Ram
mel were the caterers.
Officials Grace the Occasion.
Among those present at the banquet
were number of railroad officials
from Washington. William S. Con-
nelly. special agent, acted as toast
master. At the conclusion of the fes
Invites c. \. Cherot, an engineer in the
service OF tue company, loIihdilH pie-
scented the automobile to Mr.. Peyton.
and a committee al the conclusion of
the affair escorted him to the machine
in which he was driven home.
The special guests from Washington
came over to Alexandria on the palace
car Mount Vernon. and were accom-
panied by a local committee of rail-
road men in charge of the arrange
ments.
Among those who made short ad-
= al Il
the men for the demonstration given
him well for the gift. and paid
tribute to the excellence of their work:
H. L. Hutchins, superintendent of
nelly. chief special agent: w. c. Hud-
son. who succeeds Mr.. Peyton as divi-