The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-01-18
THE FLORENCE FIRE.
Full Details OF the Dlsaster-E1citing
scenes-A Shooting Case-Conhicttng
stat, ments.
IFRoM OUR OWN ooRREsPoSDENr.l

tFR0M OUR OWN 'CoRRESPoNpbNl.J
FLORENCE, January Is.
For the first time In many months our town
has been visited with fire, aud I think for
the first lime In five years with an incendiary
fire. Last night the store on Front street,
belonging to Captain Alexander Mckenzie,
and occupied by Mr.. P. Buchhe:t. was hred 10
several places by some one thas far unknown,
and was enveloped In q glaring blaze before
The alarm was given. The adjoi0i0g new and
handsome store of Messrs. +. s. Schonooe q
Co. caught, and was destroyed also. MOST OF
their valuable slook was saved from the IRE,
though somewhat damaged. 1t soon became
evident that the adjoining drug store OF Dr.
q. c. Rounillat- building being the prop
penter-was in imminent danger, and the
most strenuous efforts were put forth to pre-
vent Its catching. Unfortunately the hose OF the
only engine in our town could not be used,
and water bad to be carried In buckets by
hand and thrown upon the roof and Walls
constantly. The building became so heated as
to cause the pitch from the Lumber 10 run
down the walls. Had It caught all the other
buildings ON that'square would almost inevl.
tably have been consumed, with the large
freight depot of the three railroads concen-
tratinp here, and probably many loaded freight
cars. This terrible aud destructive connagra-
tton was arrested through the almost super
natural exposure and exertions OF captain
Alex. NJ. Corrie, master carpenter OF the
Northeastern Railroad; Edward Harvey, engi-
neer on the same road; Thomas Tdloert, b.
Stratton, James Rhodes, and few otners,
who braved dangers and endured hardsnlps
that thrilled every spectator with admiration
and at the same time with painful solicitnoe-
Many colored men deserve great commenoa'
tlon for their exertlons.
The flames being arrested, scene OF con-
fusIon and disorder arose, threatening at one
time collision between tile white and colored
people present Through the exsrtions of
the officers of the town, qniet was restored.
Subsequently, colored man was shot, and
seriously, If not fatally, wounded. Mr.. G.
McD. Sloll. the agent Of the Andes, which
held nearly all the risks on the property de-
stroyed. was present, and using every exer-
tion to arrest the spread OF the flames, and
save the property covered by the policies OF
his company. He was charged with firing
the pistol which inflicted the wound on Hamll'
ton, the colored man, and arrested. Tnls
created a good deal of excitement. There are
conflicting rumors as to the shooting. One
that IL was accidental; one that Hamilton was
suspected OF interfering with goods removed
from one of the stores, and one that there 1s
no proof that Mr.. Stoll fired the pistol.
learn that Mr.. Stoll has given bail for his ap-
pearance at court. where, of course, the facts
Of the ease will be developed.
The loss from the fire was In all about or
nearly ten thousand dollars, and mostly COW
cred by insurance. It is hoped this unfor-
tunate and painful occurrence may move the
Young men to reorganlze the fire company,
and put their engine and hose IN available re-
pair. FkESSLEf.