The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-12-10
FIRE FIEND
CONTINUED Prom First Page.)

these were extinguished by men
who were on the roofs OF all the
buildings In the vicinity.
Falling walls endangered the
fremen. but fortunately none Of
them were seriously injured. al
though many OF them were struck
by bricks and knocked down. Inc
new hook and ladder was com
pletely destroyed when the Mar
ket street wall OF the House &
Hermann store fell. and had not
the iremen moved just few sec
onds before. on orders from Chief
Rose, several Of them would prob
ably have been killed. The men
were making an effort 70 get the
machine to 4 place OF safety wh4n
1t was seen that The wall was 60
ing to fall.
The fire WAS spectacular one.
the flames lraPing a hundred feet
into the air. and it drew a large
crowd. which was ably handled oE
a squad OF police in command OF
Chief Sill, who was on the scene
early.
Fire Starts on Second Floor.
The fire is reported to have orig
mated in the rear OF the second
floor OF the House & Hermann
building. This floor is occupied
by the clothing and shoe DEPART
mentS.
The fire was discovered by VIII
liam 4. Rolf. an ELECTRICIAN. resld-
ing at 921 Main street. He Is en-
ploved by the Gee Electric Com
pany. and was going from Main 70
Market street when he saw smoke
oozing out the Windows OF rhe sec
ord floor. 10 cried Fire" and
turned in III" alarm from box -.
at Market and, Fourteenth streets.
D.. Leon y. Refer. veterinary
surgeon. 1401 Chapline street. was
also passing II the same time. and
when he heard Mr.. Rolf cr!' fire
he also saw smoke issuing from
the second noor. In less than
three minutes inc flames burst ouL
in The rear Of the second floor and
quickly communicated to the front
part of the building toward Mar
ket street. The front part OF the
floor was stocked with ladies
wearing apparel. including hight
waists and skirts. which burned
like finder.
Saw Flash Before Fire.
William L. Brice. general mana
ger Of the Register. said he was
looking from rhe Register build
ing directly across Fourteenth
street into the House & Herr
mann building al. 5:t5 O'Clock.
when he saw a blue fame shoot
inward from the rear Of the sec
ond floor. He heard some ono in
1he street cry Fire, and The t1re
bell rang. In few minutes the
floor was in flames.
John Powell. night wa:rhman AZ IN
tore. said h' attempted 70 light Il ga
tove on the second floor when III
ighted gas burst forth. He was knocke
own by. tire explosion and Is Sutferln
,ruises AMI Sigh. h'irns.
Entire Fire Department Responds.
Tho entire re- DEPARTMENT. was on RI
Gene quickly. despite III" slippery condi
ion of .he streets In less than tittH"
minutes there w.rr halc DOZEN stream
Having on the hlazc Il looked ut frs
c though the fire could u" confined /
"a
rav into tho third floor. which IN
,ored With furniture. Flames ;hn
ursr from tho windows and in Shor
;rne the entire building was roartn
,rnacc. The tira was larger than IL W.,
eliered. looking FROM tho street. as
urned furiousir for Z half hour het"r
hc flames hurst through tho window.
,uits q stiff hrrezr VAS blowing tror
ne north and tan hla2" was drive
oward III. Masonic building. adiotnin
he House and Herrmann structure. TIL
xtra h~avv brick walls h-cweea h
buildings kept tho hr" from cntertin
he upper floors nt IN" Masonic s;ruc
IRE. The second story o. the huildin
2 the Masonic temple was used b.
louise and Hermann fnr 4 premium d.
artment.
The Masonic building roof Was badi
urned. while NJ! the offices In tho struc
ure were watersoakeh. The third flon
ras occupied by Dr. J. ". Wright. co!
red ostaopa,h. and ". s Grafton. roo
ontractor. Tho second floor was oc
upied by House and Hermann. The Ma
onic order some time ago removed IL