The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-12-10

sent to prevent riotinE and looting
among the frantic laborers and their
families. One negro caught footing was
lynched. No other life was lost as a
result OF the fire, according 10 report 5
reaching here.
Tonight still mdte troops we're sent
TO the stricken town and reports indicat-
ed that the military authorities had
the situation well in hand.
a local militia company tonight was
placed in the downtown section OF Pc
tershurg. toad In preserving order
among the thousands pouring in from
the burned town. All saloons here were
SSy council an hed special hf mee,ss te
plan relief measures. and the city
churches were opened as sleeping places
for the homeless
The IRE started at l:45 o'clock this
afternoon The alarm was given by
Adam Drum. an 11-year-old boy. who
saw smoke coming from the roof OF n
three-story restaurant building. He
rushed into the building and soon after
wards appeared at a front window on
the second floor. with an infant in his
arms. He shouted TO the crowd that
had gathered below 20 hold "A blanket. A
bed covering was used as n nfe-net. and
the boy leaped into IL. Neither he nor
the infant was hurt. The mother Of
the child dashed from the building a
moment later. her dress on FIRE. She
escaped serious injuries. however
The boy then entered a building next
doc rand brought out a second infant
this time from the FIRST floor. that had
boon left 20 burn by its parents. By
ISLANDERS carried the boy away from dan
ger on their shoulders
Mothers and fathers with Infants in
their arms fed from the frame buildings
that were hurriedly thrown together
during the summer 70 accommodate the
Dupont employees. and several were in
jurde.
HoPeweli. until two months ago. was
a wide-opeu town. and there had been
much trouble I'm maintaining order
Many men carried guns. as in the old
Guarded Belongings
everywhere among the ruins tonight
/ borers we're sitting on the goods they
managed 70 save. with rifles across their
knees or guns At their belts
The stores, hotels. restaurants. office
buildings and other structures destroy
Cd wiz probably number 900. There was
Despite the place Of origin Of the fire
mere were persistent reports tonight
mat tnat II had been started by an incen-
plice OF an employe OF the Dupont fac
| tory arrested last night. Officials OF
The powder company refused 10 discuss
me incendlary theory or the arrest but
~ was SAID the mpn IN custody had
aroused tho suspicion OF the private po-
lice force which Tor months has kept a
close patrol about tho plant
| me negro lynched was found carry
Ing of clothing from a pile IN front Of
a burning store. lie was seized at once
/ by a party OF citizens and hurried into
side street. After a moments consul
tatton. a rope was placed about his neck
ana ne was hanged 90 tree
The towns two banks were burned
OFFICIALS OF each had considerable trou-
/ bic with foreign laborers who franfical-
! ~ besieged the burning buildings I'M
which their money was deposited. In one
bank the cashier had 20 drive the fren-
zied men from the building ~ the point
, OF revolver
A bank officer said tonight that ali
the cash and papers OF the banks had
I been brought 20 Petersburg and deposit
Z ed In vaults here. ....