Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-03
THE FIRE FIEND.
Destruction OF the Hotel at Port
Royal ). G.. and OF Ihe Court
House at Beaufort s. C.-NarrOw
Escape OF Two Wen From the
Flames.

BEAUFORT. S. c., March This day win long
be remembered in the staid town OF Beaufort
1t seemed as though some fire fend had
plucked q burning brand and cast it into the
midst Of our people. Hardly had the excite
ment Incident TO the fire ct Port Royal died
away ere the whole town was astir by the
alarm which told of fire in our very midst.
The facts concerning these visitations are
about as follows:
The hotel at Port Royal, building costing
about $1,000, was the property of Mr. d. #.
Appleton, Of New York (who is largely inter
ested in real estate in that town.. It had Just
been placed under new management, that of
Mr.. Frank Smith, and promised to be lucra-
tive business. About two o'clock this morn
ing the flames were seen issuing from one of
the bedrooms. and steps were Immediately
taken to extinguish the fire. but without avail,
for very soon the entire building was In flames
and all hope or saving any part was given up.
The wind was blowing q terrific gale
and in the direction. too, Of a mum
Der of small wooden buildings. four Of
which had just been completed Under
the circumstances, without fire apparatus,
any idea OF. Sighting the destructive element
appeared useless. But the stout yeomanry
arms. and succeeded, after feats Of dauntiess
courage, in combining the fire to the hotel,
which aaone was totally consumed. When the
alarm reached Beaufort, the fire department
here took immediate steps to aid their sister
town, but their services were not called into
re9uisition. The hotel is said to have been
fully insured
OF course, this event gave food for conver.
sation this morning in Beaufort circles, until
about IL O'Clock, when the alarm was sounded
OF fire here. This proceeded from the court
house, building at the extreme west end of
the town. 1t was built in ante -bellum times by
Mr.. Barnwell and a Mr. Cuthbert as a resi-
dence. 1t was double house of brick of i'm
posing appearance, and splendidly finished
IN mohogany and cypress. After the evil days
OF connScatlon 1t passed into the hands of the
county, and was remodeled as q court house
and as offices for the various county officers.
Nftnln It's walls were contained all Of the i'm
portant documents and papers of the State
and county. 1t is thought that one of the
chlmneys was defective, and that from this a
spark got into the space between the ceilings
OF the upper rooms and the roof. The
hrst lntimation OF the confagration was smoke
issuing from the caves ON the east angle,
which was quickly followed by tongues of
naIne. A. first few supposed IL would be seri-
Gus, put nevertheless, the officials began re-
moving the valuableS submitted to their charge
In this they were aided bY everyone who APP
peared, some colofed women working like Tro-
jams In Carrying the furniture ETC., from the
Auditors S Office TO a place of safety. The
the frSt-claSs steamer posse Ssed by the town
could not prevent the entire destruction of this
valuable piece OF property. To add greatly to the
genei al excitement was the fear that few
bold men who lad made their way to the roof
through the man-hole would pay the forfeit of
their life for their undertaking. Getting some
distance from the man-hole.. how surprised
they were may be imagined when they turned
ana found the place of exit surrounded by the
devouriDg flames. Mr.. l.. 3. Gallagher the
mate OF the United States ship New Hamp-
shire, stationed in this harbor, who was one of
the party, and who had made superhuman eff
forts to fight the fire, burst through the flames
calling at the same time to his companions
and descended the scuttle amidst the very fire.
apparently. His two co-laborers, Mick Mehan,
our well known detective, and Aaron Middle
ton. colored man. were left upon the roof
Ihey made their way to the extreme west of
the building, the only portion through which
the flames did not appear. It was terrible
sight to behold these two strong men near fifty
feet from the ground, without piece of rope
even, and threatened with death every moment
by the bursting out of the fire through the roof
The shed was so hot they had to keep in
constant motion. At last Middleton made his
way to the chimney and broke of piece of
the rotten lightning conductor, and TO this
rope was attached from one of the upper
windows. Then rope was sent up by this
means from the ground and passed around
the chimney, and the men descended and were
taken into one of the windows by Mr.. Gala
CHER. They appeared much exhausted by their
exertions. The wind then rose to a perfect fury
carrying the cinders from the falling roof to
buildings three and four hundred yards away,
setting them afre. All the citizens turned
out to battle with the fire fiend, and it was
only by the greatest presence of mind that the
entire town was not destroyed. The stores
were all closed. and young and old, male and
female, FASTENED to the scene. The court
house building could hardly be rebuilt for less
than SIS, ,00l and learn it was not insured.
The fire department and many citizens will
guard the town tonight. The paper and
books were all saved, but fear they are badly
mixed
The little son of one of our citizens was badly
bitten by dog on Monday. The animal was
slain. SHR