Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1919-08-15

and Heather roads, gives an ideal im-
preston Of a street lamp in ChatteaI :
Thierry. The glass is broken somt-
thug after the mark of a bullet or a
piece of shrspnel. Visitors are request
ed to notice this. Enterprising dealers
are reaping a few U. S. coins selling
pictures Of the pier as it was. Why
not a snapshot Of the lsmp-post9
The fire started about 1926 Tuesday
evening. The whistle alarm sounded
five minutes later and the fire COM
panies responded promptly. An acct
dent was prevented at Pacific and
Bennett n through the action of
a summer cottage owner who tagged a
fast running automobile. Fire Chief
Nickerson's men fought the flames
bravely. Flying sparks caused damage
estim ated at $500 to the Atlanta hotel,
boardwalk and Lavender road, owned
by o. T. King. The store of Andrews
& Company, near the pier, also was
damaged with loss of about $50. Chas.
H. Lare's residence was in danger dur
ing the fire, but a bucket brigade saved
serious damage to the Crocus road resi-
dence. The Weiss residence on Pacific
avenue also needed assistance in putting
out fire caused by sparks. The pier
was erected in 1907. 1t wss built most
ly of wood. The paper decorations in
the ball room and skating rink, once
gay with festooned masses OF blue,
white and gilt paper which had been
hung during the season, furnished ex-
cellent material for the fire. The pier
was owned by Wildwood real estate
promoters and 1t is stated was not in
suTed. James Glesves conducted the
skating rink; the dance hall was rented
by Philadelphia men, while the con-
cessions on the ground floor had been
let out to a Trenton business concern.
The Wild wood Crest Fishing club,
located out to the right of the pier, was
saved. Members OF the club were busy
both at the club and pier helping as
best they could during the fire, which
lasted sometime after midnight.
Persons hurrying home from the
walk and others in theatres and cafes
hearing of the fire fastened to the
scene. The blaze gave a daylight effect
along me ocean as Tar up as The Avian
tic Pier. The crowd that witnessed
the fire, the most spectacular since the
Ottens aud Continental affairs, was es-
timated al 10000. The beach was
dotted for nearly a mile with crowds.
Some braved the water to get a better
view, removing shoes and stockings.
All the thoroughfares were jammed,
and the break in the walk just nearing
the Seward hotel, furnished an excel
lent background for watchers. Every
one acted good natured about the push
ing and crowding and hoped the ire
would o lie out, at the same time
they were enjoying the shooting
flames. 1t is reported that the glare
from the burning pier gave residents at
Cape May the impression that all
Wildwood was on fire. While the fire
was serious in itself, the location of the
pier did not put the entire island in
danger, or even that portion OF the
Crest. 1t proved, however, that a
similar fire in the closely located Sec
ton of Wildwood proper, would be
very dangerous to life and property,
and any steps taken in the interest of
the fire department would be a wise
expense. Wildwood is no longer the
little cottage location Of ten years ago.
1t ia the best resort on the Atlantic
coast in many ways, second only to
Atlantic, and the men who have the
island to enjoy and protect, would do
well to advance equally with the re-
sort itself. No matter how much has
been done, start all over again; 1t will
be returned in dollars and cents, as no
reasonable person can ONE to the
shores of Wildwood-by-the-Sea with
out falling dead in love with its splen-
dor and natural advantages. 1t can
not be learned whether the pier will be
rebuilt-it should be-and next sum-
mer Wildwood Crest may have a steel
pier-let US hope.
Members of the Crest Fishing Pier
80 LA 90 1stkl4