Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-08-28
FIRE in EDeEFIELD.



Our neighboring city Edgeield was yes-
terday morning visited with a destructive
IRE which Consumed in a short period of
time six dwelling houses. The fire oriei-
mated 10 the rear portion of the residence of
Thos. j. Minor, Main street, but from what
cause it has not been nor probably never
will be ascertained. The fire had been
burning for some little time before Mr..
Minor and his family were awakened.
There was stiff breeze at the time, and
the building being frame, the flames spread
rapldiy. The alarm was sounded through
the streets and the citizsns focked to the
scene in large numbers, and rendered vslu-
able assistance in removing articles of fur
nlture from that and the adjoining build
iugs.
There was nothing however to check the
progress OF the flames, aud the fire spread
rom one house 10 the other until six hand
some dwellings were in ashes, and but for
tearing away some out-houses, the fire
might have continued further.
Inc sufferers by this calamity were Thos.
J. Minor, I'D. Lawrence, John s. Wilkes,
e. u. Roche, Fountain Spillers and
George Roy. Mr.. Minor owned
the house be occupied. The house
occupied by Mr.. lawrence was the
property OF Mrs. Virginia @. Reeves of Ma
con, ga, Mr. Wilkes private Secretary Of
Gov. Brown lived in the houss owned by
bis brother, j. 81. Wilkes, of the firm of
Holding, Wilkes & Hancocs, and the two
houses occupied by Messrs- Spillers and
Roy were the property of John Reese. The
house owned by +. G. Rocte had been vacs-
ted the day previous by j. ii. Farrar, but
had again been re-rented.
After the fra had been under Roadway
for some little time messengers were
dispatched to Nashville to get the assistance
Of the Fire Department. Captain Stockell
responded to The call, and rode over as fast
as possible. Upon his arriv i, how ever, he
found that an engine would be of no SER
vice, but he went back and brooght the
hook and ladder truck and some fire extin-
guishers with him. He also had the steam
er Stocked stationed at The bridge to be
brought into requisition If necessary. Up
on The arrival of the HOOK and Ladder Co.
efficient service was rendered 10 telring
down some outbuildiDgs and thus stopping
the progress of the fire. The citizens de-
sire us to return thanks to Captain StockeIl
and the fremen for their promptness in re-
spending to the call.
The total loss by the fire is about s. 900,
with insurance. as follows: Mr.. Minor,
s., 800 in the Imperial; Mr.. Wilkes, $4,000
in the Queen; Mrs. Reeves, $1,000 in the
State, Mr.. Rocke, $500 in the Franklin.
We also learn that Mr.. Reese was insured,
but in what Office or the amount we did not
ascertain.
This calamity shows the necessity OF
adopting some means for the protection of
the citizens f7cm fire in the future. Mayor
Glenn, in his message in 1871, recommend
ing the building Of public c.sterns as a safe
guard, and with such at prominent
points, engines could be used to advan-
tsge, but without something of he kind,
engines could do but little service, as pri-
vate cisterns would be pumped out directly.
Some steps will likely be taken in tina prem
ises at an early day.