The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-03-19
Fire at Branchyille.

TIE pqst destructive fire ever
known in Branchyille occurred on
Wednesday last about three o'clock
in the morning. The fire broke out
in two localities simultaneously and
| before it could be arrested DESTROYED
eight buildings III the business por-
lion Of the town. These were the
stores Of Messrs. Fred SyEErct, l..
W. Loryea, John Byrd, Jacob Kar
ish, dwelling Of Mr.. A. j. l.. Ed
wards, the postoflicc building, and
two others the owners Of which we
failed to learn. Mcssrs. Syphret and
Loryea were partially insured, but
the others lose everything. Consiq-
cring the close proximity Of the
houses, and the absence Of fire de-
partment, it is wonder that the
larger portion Of the town had not
been burned. Its safety is due solely
TO the earnest and noble efforts of the
citizens who worked long, faithfully
and unrcinit,ihgly until the raging
flames were subducd and their homes
saved. We learn that the colored
people came up manfully 10 the help
Of the white citizeus and did all in
their power to arrest the fire and
saEe the property exposed to danger.
There is scarcely doubt that the
fire was the work Of incendiarics.
Breaking out simultaneously in two
localities at least three hundred yards
distant from each oll!ar, the time
when it occurred, and bther accompa-
nying eircumstances-all 60 TO con-
firm ibis opinion. Well directed cf-
forts may lead to the capture and
punishment of the ficnds. In the
meantime we'll organized fire de-
partmcnt should b5 a. matter Of
thought by onr 'Branchville friends.
WE clip the following additional
particulars Of the fire from the Char
lesion Nc,cs and CoHrfer Of yestcr-
day:
BRANCHvILLE, March 1G.-This
town was evidently simultaneously
fired 10 two places this morning about
1 o'clock. One fire was set in what
is known here as the Milestone
dwelling, owned by Edward Brothers.
The building was unoccupied as res-
idcnce, but there WAS stared in one
Of the looms a small quantity Of fod-
der. From This building the fire was
communicated to the postotlcc nd
joining. and both buildings were
speedily reduced to ashcs. There
wRs no insurance on either building.
Loss $4,000. The postmaster, w.
II. Reedish, lost about $500 in per-
sonal property. No insurance.
The other fire originated in what is
known as "Down town." the section
in which most of the business houses
are located. 1t was set in the grain
house Of Mr.. J.. w. Loryea. The
buildings in this locality are situated
close together, and the flames were
soon communicated to the main store, 4
whence they spread to the stores oc-
cupied by j. d. Byrd, j. Karish and
W, +. Syphrctt, The unoccupied store
of ID. X. Coleman, and the warehouse
owned by 3. D. Meyers, all Of WHICH
were destroyed. Mr.. Loryca was in
snred 70 the amount of $500 on his
buildings and stock in the following
companies St. Paul of Minnesota,
MERCHANTS and Mechanics of Virgin
ia, and Petersburg Insurnnce Compa-
ny fYirginia. His loss is about ST.
500. j. D. Byrd was not insured
Loss $500. j. Karish not insured.
Loss $4,000. w. +. Syphrett was
insured TO the amount Of $500 in the
Lynchburg, Virginia, Insurance COM
pany. His loss is estimated at 500.
Coleman is probably insured. b. D.
Meyers is uninsured, and his loss will
probably reach $4,000. There arc