Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-04-20

III NnEAi HlRE Al SLARkSVILLR,
TENN.-FFTEEN ACRES OF BuiLpINes
MISUNDERSTANDING Work OF lNCEN
DIARlEs.-A Nashville dispatch to the
New York Herald gives the following
particulars of the great fire at Clarks-
vile, Tenn, on Sunday morning last:
"Fifty-seven houses were burned at
GAINESVILLE, the principal tobacco mar
ket of Tennessee, at an early hour Sun
day morning, including eight groceries,
four confectionery establishments, two
jewelry stores, three clothing stores,
two drug stores, one book store, two
saddlery shops, two public halls, the
urt-house, Chancery Court clerks Of
fee, one furniture store, one feed store,
a coal office, one newspaper office, one
bank, one Tin and stove store, two mil
linery shops, one gunsmith's shop, one
restaurant, one barber shop, one livery
stable, one immense tobacco warehouse,
containing 400 hogSheads of tobacco,
eight or ten residences, one hotel, one
agricultural implement warehouse, one
blacksmith shop, a shoe shop and other
small houses. The fire lasted six hours
from the time of breaking out, exhaust
ing itself Fortunately there was no
wind.
"The fire is supposed to be the work
of an incendiary. The negroes of the
vicinity have been very discontinued of
late, owing TO two causes. The first of
these was the lynching of one of their
number a few weeks ago for an at
tempted outrage on white girl belong
ing to one of the first families in the
county. Subsequently a negro named
Seat, while resisting policeman named
Phillips, by attacking him with stones,
was shot and killed by the officer The
negroes were intensely excited over
this act and made such threats of re-
venge upon Phillips that he had taken
up his quarters i'll the jail for protection.
"The fire broke out at half-past IL,
and when the bell was rung alarming
the towr. it was taken for riot alarm,
and the people did not turn out prompt
| ~, all dreading the result. When the
fire had got under way and was raging
furiouSly the negroes gathered in knots
and refused to give any assistance, open
: ly expressing their satisfaction at the
/ fire.
Among the more prominent build
ings destroyed were John S. Elders
new hall, valued at $4,000; no insur-
ance. Kinclnnon & Wood lost heavily
in buildings, and heavy stock, such as
stoves, tin and queensware. Elliotts
Central Hotel constituted one of the
greatest losses. j. c. McCormac, pho
tographer, and owner Of the building in
which Owen & Moore had their drug
and book store, was IA heavy loser, and
not pruportisDatcly insured. Very great
loss was sustained from goods taking
! fire in the street after their removal
from stores. The stealing Was immense.
"a grim feeling has rested over peo-
pie today, and the negroes are eyult-
ant and are threatening to mob police
man Phillips On this account and for
! protection to the goods on the street
I the authorities have caused fifty deputy
/ policemen to be enrolled. Phillips is
/ still in Jail for protection, and every
thing is quiet tonight, but the least dis
tmbance will precipitate a row between
the whites and blacks There is no
doubt that if the incendiarism was not
/ l,y the blacks there was concerted I'M
Outstanding tina, they would not lend a
helping hand, but there were many
worthy exceptions Some prominent
colored men were heavy losers by the
fire. with no insurance Several per-
sons were hurt, but no serious accidents
or casualties. Fifteen acres of build
ings in the most prominent portion of
the city were destroyed, leaving a mere
suburban shell.