Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-06-13
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquire
LETTER FROM ROCK HILL.
Rock HILL, S. c., June 10, 1877

Rock HILL, S. c., June 10, 1878.
Since my last letter, our little, beautiful
and thriving town has undergone the saddest
change of its existence, owing to the fearful,
frightful and most terrible confagration which
occurred on Monday night last, commencing
about 10 o'clock, the origin of which seems to
have been beyond reasonable doubt, to have
been the careless and thoughtless act of
youth-that Of leaving burning kerosine
lamp sitting upon his bed.post. The flames
were rapidly communicated from one build.
ing to another, as the houses were very close
together. The house in which the fire start
ed, was the oldest one in the place-a relic
of tho past-erected when the place was but
a forest.
The merchants who suffered a loss of hous-
es and goods are j. M. Ivy & Co., Ivy &
Fewell, J. R. London, DR.. T.. G. Robertson,
w. L. Roddy, J. G. Sharpe, H. V. Desportes,
w. L. Roach, Hagius Bros, j. T. CASTOR,
j. NJ. Howe & Co., and VIM. Mitchell q Co.,
mauy of whom saved portion of their goods
without much damage, and have arranged
them in different small places still left, and
exposed them to sale. Some of the goods
thus saved were insured, and consequently,
since the sad occurrence we have corps OF
insurance agents among US, some of whom
seem disposed to deal literally, and others
not 80, but on the contrary, would make as
much as possible for the companies they rep.
resent, and leave as little as possible for the
unfortunates; all of which has called forth
many different opinions and arguments upon
the law of Insurance. 1t is good oPportu-
nifty for good insurance attorney to make
fortune by the misfortunes of our merchants.
The young clerks who are now out of EN-.
ployment have organized a regular loafers'
club, and it is quite formidable band. They
take up their line of march to creek and plum
bushes, just after rol-call in the morning,
trying to make the best of a wreck until they
can procure situations.
I neglected to mention the fact that the
safe of j. NJ Ivy & Co., withstood the hottest
of the fire. and the books, papers and money
were left from the scorching flames in perfect
preservation. The combination lock, even,
was uninjured.
We take the opportunity of extending to
the above named gentlemen our heartfelt
sympathies, and hope to see them soon again
doing the same thriving business for which
they were noted previous to the calamity. l
learn that they propose to rebuild with two
story brick buildings. I hope the day is not
far distant when such will greet our anxious
eyes.
Our Democratic Club had meeting here
on Saturday last, but took no action. The
number was rather small, owing to the fact
that the day had escaped their recollection.
am informed by many of the farmers of
this section that they now have the finest
prospect for good crop that they have had
for several years. Mllet and peas are being
cultivated to a considerable extent, which
will be conducive to the good condition and
fine appearance fstock.
am happy to say that the gardens are
very fine. had the pleasure, the other day,
of seeing the most beautiful boquet Of vegeta-
bles ever beheld, very prettily arranged on
large waiter. There we're cucumbers, car:
rots, cabbage, Irish potatoes, onions, beets and
beans, grown by Mr.. NJ. w. Russell. He is
one of our most successful gardeners.
LUX.