Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-08-24
THE HUNGRY FLAMES.


VHVAh 0eAass AsSHu 1uet uuuOOIlAII0G0 ADoSvrCy
cd-The Fire Supposed TO bo Acci-
dcntAl-LOss over $50, 900.
This morning between ono aud two
uated Oh the Little Conestosa creek about
mile beyond Millersville, and belongings
to Isaac W. Croft, was discovered to he
on fire and in q short time was reduced tu
mass Of ruins. The flames spread to 4
largo stone barn, situated near by, and j,
too was destroyed, together with all its
| contents. Tho carriage house, pig pen
and other outbuildinSs were also burned.
The frame dwelling house situated about
forty feet distant was saved after y good
deal Of hard work.
The fire is believed to have been acci
dental. 1t was discovered by Mrs. Croft,
who was awakened by the cracking Of the
timbers. Tho tire is supposed tO have
| originated from spark from the engine,
as tho flames when discovered were in
tho northern part of the building not fa,
from the stack-tho engine and boile,
house being attached to tho outside Of the
mill. Owing to large increase of bust
ness the mill had been for sOmo time past
running not only every day, but sometimes
| at night, and was last night run until 3 OF
| . O'Clock.
The mill was i very substantial struc-
ture, four stories high, built bv benjamin
Herr about fifty years ago and was for
many years run exclusively by water
power. About twelve years it, and tho
property connected with it, wore pur-
chased by Mr.. Croft for $4,000 from
Ephraim Hershey, Of Columbia. From,
that day to this no has boon almost con-
stantly making improvements, and adding
improved machinery, until tho value Of
the property was estimated ut $4O,OOO.
Tho mill ut the time Of the fire, besides
all its valuable machinery, contained
1000 bushels Of wheat, 50 barrels of flour,
200 bushels Of corn, 4 tons Of bran, ton
Of chip stuff and 800 worth Of milling
tools. Besides this there was about 500
bushels Of wheat belonging to customers
stored in the mill.
The principal machinery destroyed WAS
Is follows Five bolts, two purifiers, three
wheat burrs, two choppers and all the
necessary cleaning machinery. The large
engine is also wreck. About three
months ago tho mill was altered SO that
it could be run on the gradual reduction,
principle, the work being done with burrs
instead of rolls. 1t was ono Of tho largest
mills in the county, and did 4 tremendous
business. At least 100 bushels Of wheat are
now lying in the creek below the mill ;
considerable flour was also carried down
tho stream and it is lying in u large ball,
which look like dough in tho water.
The barn, which was also Of stone, con-
tained ten tons Of hay, two sleighs and
some farm implements. but not SO many
rs is generally contained in Lancaster
county barns, rs there is not much farm
land connected with tho property. There
were four head OF horses aud other live
stock in tho stables, all Of which were safely
removed from tho burning building, but
not without great difficulty. One Of the
horses that had been removed ran back
again into the burning building
and MIR. Croft was very badly
burned about the hands. face and
legs in his endcavOrs to save the animal,
which he succeeded in doing. lIe is to-
day confined to bed under the care Of DIR.
Il. F. Herr.
In tho carriage-hOuse there were two
large and three small wagons and some
other things. Nothing is lett Of the wagons
except tho iron. The large frame hog
pen. which was situated directly in front
of the barn, was Totally destroyed. In it
there were eighteen hogs when tho fire
started, but they wcro all saved.
Tho total loss Of property probably OK
Goods $50, 900, and entails heavy loss On
MIR. Croft, rs there is no insurance On any
part of it. MIR. Croft is \ member Of the
New Mcnnonitcs, \ sect that arc conScien.
tiOusly opposed to insurance 1t is the
practice of the brethren, however, when
any Of their numbers arc Overtakcn by
any serious calamity, to contribute liber.
ally towards his reimbursement. 1t is
likely therefore that Mr.. Croft will receive
in contributions ut least onc-half, ii not
three fourthS, OF his total loss. We
may add that Mennonite charity is not
confined to members Of their own denOm-
ination. Our readers will remember that
when tho great Michigan fires occurred i
year ago, tho MennOnites Of Lancaster
county contributed moro money to tho
relief Of the sufferers than all other sscts
cnmbincd.
NEiGEROEHOODN NEWS.
Events Noar nnd Across tho County Lines.
The Reading council, who have been ar
rested on charges against them in their
official character, have given bail to tho
amount Of 40 cents per man.
Edward Ii. Flood, tho builder Of tho
now Philadelphia Record building, is On
gagged upon tho erection of 800 houses in
Reading.
A local Harrisburg preacher has made :.
calculation from tho Old Testament,
prOphesyinS that tho world will como to
IN end in 1884.
DIR. Gray, Of West Chester, who was
travelling in Egypt ut tho time Of the
bOmbartlment Of Alexandria, has just
been beard from. Ile was severely injured
by an Arab mob, but is now in Il place Of
safety.
Reading and Lebanon have been con-
nected by telephone.
Reading is to have u lew Reformed
church.
Allegheny county's new court house will
cost SO, 600, 900 when completed.
Henry Bickcl was hurled down a sixty
feet shaft in bucket at Emaus, Eerks
county, Orc mines. lIe was picked up un-
conscious, and IL perhaps fatally injured.
In Montgomery county there are thir-
teen villages of which tho word Square
is part OF their name.
A Good Substitate
church, corner Of Orange and Prince
meeting which opens to-day, his place was
supplied last evening by Rev. w. ii. II.
Criswell, Of West Virginia, Is rising young
divine, who lectured on the parallels Of
the prOdigal son. Tho lecture was an
ono and was highly apprcciat-
ed. Rev. Criswell will leave hero to.
to tako part in tho exercises of
the camp meeting during the week.
Committed.