The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-30
THE KINGSTREE FIRE.
THE DETAILS OF TIE DISASTER.


gration-rouchfng Scenes - Heroism
OF the Cittzens-Losscs and IIsurance.
The Kingstree Star gives the following ac-
count Of the destructive fire in that place on
Monday last:
At about four o'clock A. N. the storehouse
known as "Burghelm's Store." (recently pur-
chased by Mr.. Charles Hoffman from Mr.. John
A. McCullough) on Main street, was discover
ed to be on tire, and the building under snch
complete control OF the flames that no attempt
was made to subdue them. The alarm was
Immediately given, but before the Inhabitants
could be assembled the adjoining buildings
were on fire, and all felt that any effor5 to
stop Its progress in that immediate locality
would prove futile. The eXertions OF those
present were directed to removing from The
stores not yet reached by the fire their con-
tents, and to saving the buildings on the op.
posite side of the street and elsewhere where
1t was considered practicable. The flames
very short time was allowed In which to labor
10 securing the goods and furniture to which
access could be had. Some saved consldera-
BILE, while others lost all they possessed. In
very short time every building fronting
Main street, from Mr.. Wards corner atore to
Mr.. James NJ. Stagger's residence, was In
SHEET OF FLAME,
and at this period of the connagration 1t
looked like the courthouse and all tho other
buildings on the street would be consumed,
and that the 1re would extend to the last
building at both ends Of the street on which 1t
originated; but at this critical juncture brisk
which threw the flames directly across the
street, and Mr.. Stagger's building being q
brick one, prevented ils further progress In
a westward and eastward direction, and also
saved the destruction OF the buildings imme-
dlately In the rear of those that were consum.
ed. After the breeze sprung up the mad
flames leaped with irenzed fury as If reach
Ing for more material upon which to work
ruin and destruction, but the rapid disappear
ance of the houses upon which they were feed
Ing shortened their grasp and they gradually
suoslded. Much rain had fallen during the
night, which thoroughly saturated the tops Of
the houses, thereby preventing. them from
taking fire from the sparks that fell 10 every
direction as thick and fast as hall upon them.
Had the houses been dry the destruction
would have been much greater. Nearly every
lage removed their goods and furniture, which
must have been considerably injured. AS is
nearly always the case there were some
DISTRESSING SCENES
connected with this appalling catastrophe.
Mothers, with their young and tender chll-
dren, were forced into the street, bereft OF
everything they possessed save the scanty
apparel seized while making their flight for
for life. Inirm and decrept old age, whose
cup, perhaps; was full OF life's sorrows and
troubles, and who clung TO the dear old home
with fond affection, because they could call
up the "reminiscences of the past, were driven
ha 1aho Of q
obliterated forever. Still more impressive
was 1t 10 zee son In his manhood enter the
chamber Of mother, whose extreme old uge
and loss Of sight unified her Tor self-protec.
tion, take her In his arms and convey her 10 o
place of safety. Such were some of the Incl
dents Witnessed at the late fire at this place.
Stua ed as the Inhabitants are, without any
organized means for contending against fire,
ali was done that could be done to arrest the
destruction that was going on In their midst.
WHITE MEN AND BLACK MEN
worked alike with great energy and determi-
nation to save what they conld, and are en-.
heroism displayed. We would be wanting In
personal gratitude we're we tn fall 10 recog
nizlng the great and superhuman efforts ol
those who worked so maufully to save the
building in which this Office is situated.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
Is not known, but the universal belief is, 80
far as we have heard an expression, that II
was fired purposely. The building In which
the fire originated had been unoccupled for
more than month, aud was purchased onl y
few days ago by Mr. Hoffman, who was
making arrangements 10 have it repaired and
fitted up for his business. The very dark and
inclement night and the late hour at which
the fire occurred would seem to favor the
presumption that 1t was the work Of an In
cendary. Below we give list OF those who
are sufferers by the fire, and their
LOSSES
as estimated by themselves: W. W. Ward,
$40. 900, Insured for $500; Ward & Maurice,
$4,000. no insurance; Louis Cohen & Co., $4,000,
insured Tor $2500; w. ]. Lea, $4,000, no iDsur.
ance; Joseph E. Wilson, s40O, no insurance
NJ. Schwartz. $4,000, Insured Tor s450O; Henry
holomona, $500, no Insurance.; estate E. j.
Porter, $500, no Insurance; DR.. J. s.. Brockin.
ton, $4,000 no Insurance.; Mrs. Ann Jones,
$25OO, no insurance; Charles Hoffman, $500,
no Insurance.; George Coleman, $3.50, no In
surance.
COMMENTS ON THE FIRE.
The Star remarks, edltorlally:
KiDgstree, according to historical data has
had an existence since the year 1894, end
during all this long and eventful period ol
time, embracing wiLnln ils history TWO glgan.
Tic wars-Lhe revolution for American inde-
pendence, and the recent war between the
States for the enjoyment by the South Of the
rights secured by that conquest, we have NO
information, either printed or traditional. that
contradcts the assertion that the IRE on Mon
day morning last was the first at which more
than one building has been destroyed at any
one time by this devouring element. We refer
to this iact as very remarkable circumstance
in the history Of this village-a circumstance
perhaps that has no parallel In the history OF
any other town In the State. 1t Is also fact
that this very ancient village has never grown
much In size and Importance, yet We presume
1t has always had sufficient number OF houses
to furnish material for the accidental spark OF
the incendiary's torch. Luckily for the popu.
latiOl they have been greatly blessed and
favored In their exemption from the frequent
and devastating fires that have visited all the
other towns and villages In the State. But
we are told there is 0 time for all things, ana
the time for the first fire OF any magnitude 10
Klngstree was on Monday morning last.
JOTTINGS ABOUT TIE STATE.