Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-02-23
Destructive Fire.

Hardy had the excitement occasiohed by
the unfortunate suicide which We report
ed last week been quieted, when our burgh
was again thrown into high fever Of turmoil
by another equally unfortunate occurrence,
but of different nature. This time it was the
fire fiend that has been to work, and that more
damage did not result from the effects of its
visit, is owing TO the energetic, almost Hercn-
lean. efforts on the part of our citizens and the
comparative isolation Nf the burning dwelling.
The frame house at the back of The Court House,
occupied by Mr.. David Smoot AS II hotel and
known to almost very resident Of the county
as the "Carrolton," caught fire on Wednes-
day evening Last about 5 O'Clock, and the
flames had made such rapid Roadway before
they were discovered that to check them was
in vain, and nothing could be done except to
save some of the contents of the house on the
ground floor. The fire originated between III
rafters Of the sitting room adjoining the bar,
and the whole of the rafiers between the cell
ings of this room had burned and the main
building caught before the fumes broke out
and were discovered, although several gentle
men were in the house AT the time, some of
them at dinner. Mr.. Smeot and DR. John 7
D:gges were talking together in the sitting
room, and each remarked that they heard
something cracking and smelled fire, but paid
no attention 10 it thinking it was in the stove.
Mr.. SEoo. then had occasion to 60 into the
upper story, and when he reached the main
room he found that the fire had broken through
and caught to the bed and bedding. He i'm
nediately gave the alarm, and by the time he
got do nstairs the fire had broken through the
sitting room and that WAS in y light blnse.-
Then all efforts to check it were fruiiless. All
but all the liquors in the bar and ia fact
nearly its whole contents were destroyed; by
dangerous exertion Mr.. Smoot secured his
books. Mr.. Adrian Posey, who bearded at
the hotel, saved his trunk, which contained
some valuable papers, and a portion of his
clothing that was lying near the door, but
good part Of it was lost. Mr. Forbes Middleton,
another border, lost all of his clothing except
what he had on his back Mr. Smoot lost all
the bedroom furniture of two looms. one of
which was arranged to accommodate three
guests. His loss is very heavy but he was mol
able to estimate it at this writing.
As soon as it was found that no effort could
save the burning building all attention was
turned to other houses, which, as a heavy
northwest gale was prevailing at the time,
were in great danger. The Court House which
was close at hand, was in peril but, although
it caush several times, though strenuous efforts
on the part of the workers it was not injured
The Centennial Holel, (Nr. Huntt's) and Mrs
Buttons house were, as the winG was blowing
in that direction, also in much danger, and
both did take fire in several places from the
eying sparks, but as large force was at hand
with a bri gade of buckets, the flames were kept
from making any Roadway. In this conusc-
ton we cannot help but praise the active and
earnes, efforts of Mr.. J Edward Padget at Mr.
Hunts through his Efforts aided by Others al
hand this place alone was saved After the
burning building had been RACED TO the ground
and The excitement somewhat subsidized the
alarm was again given, and ii was found hat
some of The spark. had caught on Washington
Burch's house, in the exirs me south end Of the
town, and il WIS burniag briskly when dis
covered, but WAS soon eItiRguished.
The excitement tina, prevailed in the village
during the progress of the fire Was intense, ncar-
~ all busin IS WAS suspended and every one
was al the scene Of confagralion ready to lend
a helping hand TO any OF their neghbors, and
certainly too much praise cannot bs given to
our whole population, both white and col0red
for their strenuous exertions in fshting the
a .nes, for if this had not been done our whole
village would baue suffered the same fate OF
Prince Frederick, as the wind was very high
and burning sparks aud timber were a ing in
every direction.
The burned dive liug Was own,d BY Mrs
Stewart, sife OF the late Thomas J. Stewart.
At one time Sheriff of this county. There was
no insurance. This FIRE shows he necessity of
having some kind Of fire apparatus here that
could h- used in such cas- and tie matter
should be brought to the attention Of the Com
mssiOners who might cooperate ith our To
aut horites and procure this much needsd ai
paratus.