The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-04-27

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send In their favors not later than Monday.
INCENDIARIsM--A TBRRH8LR CON
RLAGRATION A H u w L Y IL g.
CAPED.
On Thursday morning last, about
o'clock, flames of fire were discovered
bursting from the shingles of tho old
Sumter or China Hotel building.-nea,
the centre and highest point of the
roof, and where the TWO and three story
parts Of the house (the old and new) are
connected.
1t was moment of terrible alarm
and of Imminent danger to well-nigl
the entiro business part Of our flourish
ing town. The building is largo
entirely Of pine wood, and almost a,
combustible IS tinder>box. Two o.
the front rooms (second story) of the
house are occupied by DR.. w. j
WIENdEs, as Dental Office, and Maj
w. T. DEKNIauT, Internal Revenue
Assessor. Two stores on the from,
ground floor, by Mcssrs. L. P. LoR1Na
Hardware, and j. ScHwER1N Clothing
The centre, (irst foor) also occupied by
Mr.. T. j. TUoMEY, as q restaurant and
billiard room. With these exceptions
the building was unoccupied-not being
now kept as hotel.
AS before remarked, it was momen
of great alarm. In truth, for few
moments, the fearful conviction seemed
to seize hold upon all who were wit
nesscs of the scene, that the hou,
$50 long dreaded) Of Sumtcr's fiery
visitation had arrived-the extent and
situation Of this hotel building being
such that the burning of it must neces-
sarily be followed by widespread con.
fagration.
But now the promptness, efficiency
and prac.icability of our noble fire de.
partment is so foroibly demonstrated as to
bring praises of it from every lip. With
readiness ofacrion which we do no,
think has ever been excelled especial.
ly under circumstances so full oil
causes for oxoitement-the fire. DESTROY.
ing machine is brought to bear, and the
beautiful "Eagle," but so recently
extollcd in our columns, speaks, in her
action, louder words of praise than any
to which our pen has given utterance.
In moment, almost, it seemed, from
the alarm, she is delivering death
dealing strokes into the very vitals Of
the destroying L,onstcr. With quick
perception of the strategy of the situa-
tion, the hose pipe is gallantly carried
up through the building, and into the
attic of the third story, and in quick
time is scuding its powerful stream of
water into the main nest and volume of
til" fire. And soon the shouts that rend
the air and fill the streets, tell that the
flames have been subdued. 1t was one
of those remarkable instances, in which
terrible calamity is suspended in the
most prompt and vigorous Improvement
of few moments Of time, and those
moments are successfully employed.
All honor to the Sumter F;remen.
1t is matter of serious consequence
to know that this fire was clearly and
without doubt the work of an incendiary.
Several pieces of the lightwood, such as
is carried in bundles about our streets
for sale, were found in immediate prox-
unity to the spot we're the fire originated
Immediately under tho roof, and
where, ordinarily, no person would go.
A dastardly, ficndish plot to destroy our
prosperous town.
There should now be redoubled
vigilance on the part of our town
authorities. Our police should be more
watchful, and, if possible, their number
should be increased. Arrangements,
TOO, should be made, so that all the
larger bells Of our town would promptly
sound the alarm. The small bell used
tor the town is totally inadequate for
this purpose. There must be some
means by which the people, and es>
pccially the firemen, may be aroused.
The colored firemen exhibited zeal
and energy on that occasion which
Justly merits praise, which we do not
hesitate to accord. But they have an
unreliable machine, and, until provided
with better one, can render but little
actual service as fremen. An effort
should be made to procure an engine
iof them, and we trust our citizens
generally will give them helping