Very fascinating article about a fire at MM White’s business in 1862?

Destructive Fire

About half past eleven o'clock last night a fire broke out in an old stable in the rear of Mr. M.M. White's embalming establishment south, side of Pa. Avenue near the corner of third Street and the flames spread to Mr. White shop and the adjoining buildings on the east-- all of which were of frame ..and in a short time three or four buildings were entirely consumed, and the building occupied by Mr. Chas Mades was a restaurant on the corner of Third St was burnt to such an extent as to render it useless.For a while the fire raged fearfully and the wind blowing directly across the Avenue the sparks fell thick and fast upon the houses on the opposite side of the street.

The property occupied by Mr. White belongs to the estate of Major P.J. Howle late of the Marine Corps and the balance of the property consumed was owned by Messrs H Naylor and John A Smith respectively.

At the time of the fire there were one or two corpses in Mr. White's establishment which were carried out. Most of his tools however were burnt, thus inflicting a loss of two or three hundred dollars.

Mr. Dolan who resided over Mr. White shop lost the greater portion of his furniture this is a serious loss as Mr. D had not been married more than six months and he was commencing housekeeping but a short time ago.

The shoe store of G Huetter, the watchmaker shop of Mr. Weil and the small-ware store of Thomas Fawcett were also destroyed , together with a portion of their stock and furniture. The loss of the latter in furniture and stock will amount to over five hundred dollars – no insurance.

A horse belonging to Mr. White was got out after have been very slightly burnt.

McDermott’s large coach factory was no doubt the salvation of the entire Square as all the intervening buildings between that and Mr. Bannerman’s boarding-house very near the corner of the alley are a frame and very combustible. No serious damages was however done to McDermott’s building except for the burning of one of two window sashes and the fire there was this speedily extinguished. Some little damage was also down to the carriages and vehicles which were removed as quickly as possible.

AI Negro whose name we did not learn had the misfortune of having that have a bureau fall on him, and he was picked up for dead; but afterwards he revived as it was only a head wound.

A soldier who was assisted in carrying out some furniture fell from a window was that was picked up uninjured.

While the fire was in progress, two horses attached to an ambulance ran off and came in contact with the hack which was upset and somewhat injured.

The file fire wasn't evidently the work of an incendiary as there was but little combustible matter in the stable where the fire originated and no one who had business there had been in with the light during the evening. Suspicion of the act was directed to a young man named Ed A Williams who was arrested by the fourth Ward patrol and conveyed to a station-house where he was held for hearing as soon as witnesses can be reproduced.

The Franklin and Perseverance fire company where the first on the ground The steam engine did not arrive until the fire had been raging nearly an hour and then could not procure water and sufficient time to be effective, The Metropolitan Hook and Ladder company rendered the most efficient service.

People and businesses mentioned in the article 1862 Directory DC

Mr Bannerman --Boarding house ( Mary A. Bannerman 447 Penn Av boarding) 1862

Thomas Fawcett --small ware store ( Fawcett, Thomas fancygoods, 459 Penn av, h, do) 1862

G. Huetter-- Shoe store (could this be Huefer, Charles tailor 461 Penn av ) 1862 ?

Mr. McDermotts --Coach Factory ( McDermott, M coachfactory 455 Penn Av h 69 Mo ave ) 1862

Charles Mades --Restaurant ( Meddes Charles restaurant 465 Penn Av ) 1862

Mr. Well –Watchmaker

1880 Map

Directory 1862

3rd and PA 1880 Mades Hotel ( this is block where MMWhite lived)

The vicinity 1872

Fire companies that fought fire

Franklin – This company turned out in great strength and made a very fine and imposing appearance. Their uniform, which is scarlet, rendered them quite conspicuous in the long line of the Procession. The members, who numbered about eighty, were fully equipped. They were headed by six axmen, who wore red shirts, white pantaloons and blue caps. The members of the Franklin wore red frock coats and white pantaloons. Their capes were beautifully lettered in gold with the name of their company. The banners borne by the company in the procession were two very splendid ones kindly lend to them by for this occasion by the Washington Hose Company and the Franklin Fire Company of Baltimore. Altogether, the Franklin Fire company made a usually fine appearance; their banners, flags, streamers, &c being both numerous and beautiful.. The engine and the horse carriage of the company were each drawn by four horses, led by colored men fancifully caparisoned.

Perseverance – This efficient, respectable and independent company turned out well and made a handsome appearance in the grand procession. There were about eighty members on duty, including the two axmen, who headed the company, attired in green shirts, blue pantaloons, and buckskin gauntlets. The members were all fully equipped; they wore drab frock coats , green painted hats, with rounded crowns and letter in gold. Each member wore a red comfort round his neck. The apparatus of the company, which is, for the most part new, substantial, and elegant, consists of one engine,, suction and two hose carriages; which were all handsomely decorated with flags, banners, and streamers. The engine and hose carriages were each drawn by four gray horses. The new banner of the Perseverance Fire Company, which was specially provided for the present interesting occasion attracted particular attention. It is an elegant silk banner, blue on one side green on the other. The painting on the banner was executed by MURRAY , of Philadelphia , in his best style, represents the Goddess of Industry pointing to beavers t work building a dam, as a an emblem of Perseverance. It is in deed a handsome and splendid banner, and measures four feet nine inches and five feet nine inches.

Greater Greater WashingtonHistory

Then and Now: Engine House 6The old firehouse at 438 Massachusetts Avenue, NW is the only remaining firehouse from the volunteer era. The building was built in 1855 for the Metropolitan Hook and Ladder Company. The company was predesignated Truck Co. No. 1 with the advent of the city's first part-paid Fire Department in 1864. Six years later, with the abolishment of the volunteers, it became Truck Co. A and served as the city's only hook and ladder company until 1879 when Engine No. 6 took over its Massachusetts Avenue quarters.

Now a restaurant http://www.sixthengine.com/