The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-13


Wheeling, has been asked by the local
fire department to come TO Fairmont
and take charge OF an investigation in.
to the origin OF the fire which last
evening destroyed the Fairmont Art
Glass Factory on the East shore Of the
river and the residence Of the Hentzy
family which adioined the plant. 1t
seems clear that tn blaze was OF In.
cendiar yorigin and there are many
rumors afoat today that the factory
was burned down by a discharged en-
ploye who was promted to do 1t by
enemies of the Hentzy family, who
own the plant. George Hentzy. mana.
ger OF the Art Glass company ha.
been requested to appear before the
Mayor and the Fire Chief and tell what
he knows Of threats which members
of the Hentzy family claim have been
made against the factory.
Should he bear out the statement
of the members of the family that a
competitor had made threats and had
! previously attempted to get within
striking distance Of the factory war
rants will be issued.
Bearing directly upon the origin OF
the fire Is the story told by the eldest
daughter Of the family, Miss Anna
Lorraine Hentzy. She states that
John johnson, former employee, Wis.
ited the place last evening hut 4 few
minutes before the fire and that he
carried into the wareroom, where tho
fire started two bundles OF paper. This
man was seen but 30 minutes before
that time on Merchant street vending
his way toward the factory by Police
Chief Fred Harr. The chief stopped
the man and asked him Where you
going?" The man repliSd. I'm going
to the country to eat good meal"
The chief scenting whisKey on the
mans breath said you better be care.
full and not drink too much whiskey."
AT this they parted.
In the wareroom OF the factory
Johnson talked with the watchman 0t
the plant for several minutes. after
which the watchman went into tue
Hentzy home TO eat supper and john.
son apparently went around the cor
ner. While still eating his supper the
shout Of "fire" was heard by tho
watchman. The plant was then burn.
ing rapidly. The chief ssw the man
at about 5:45 in tho evening ana the
fire started at 6:25 p. III. Johnson can.
not be found today.
The blaze was discovered by rail-.
road men on the west side Of the riv.
or, opposite the factory at about 6:20
o'clock. They blew the whistle Of an
engine repeatedly to pttract the at.
tention Of little party of girls who
were bathing in the river right out
from the glass plant, but their repeat
ed pointing and other pantumine fail
ed to suggest anything to the bathers.
The whistle. however, did cause Mrs.
Frank Hentzy. widow OF the founder
OF the Art Glass company and mother
OF the Hentzy children to go to the
river to, see II everything was well
with the bathers, among whom was
her daughter Anna Lorraine. In doing
this she passed directly by the ware
room where the fire was blazing at the
time but failed to note that fact.
Standing on the shore moment or
two the mother started back to the
house and as soon as she had faced
toward her home discovered the
flames. She gave an alarm and ran
In the house in an effort to save
something. She was soon accompa-
MED by her daughters who fought for
three hours trying to get few valu.
ables and some clothes out OF the
flames. Their concerted efforts were
unavailing except to the extent that
few valuable chair and tables and
knicknacks were placed in the lawn
where they are today. Miss Anna
Hentxy who was bathing saved naught
but her bathing suit. She attempted
once to save some clothing and in so
doing placed her life In jeopardy.
While the flames were at their
height Miss Hentzy ran up a fight OF
stairs and into her room where she in
some manner unknown even TO herself,
80 she says this morning, lifted
heavy trunk through to the upstairs
door TO the roof Of the kitchen and
from the roof she jumped to the
ground. A small boy nearby got to
the roof and showed the trunk over tho
edge. Her hard work was badly com.
pensated for the trunk did not con-
tain her clothing. In the meantime
the East Side fire department and the
car Of Assistant Chief Ralph Doolittle
from this side reached the scene, both
at the same time. It was discovered
that to reach the flames with a stream
Of water line 700 feet long would
have TO be stretched from B street and
East Park and another hose 900 feet
from the corner OF Water street and
Merchant. This was done as quickly