The daily gazette., 1883-01-20
COWS BURNED ALIVE.
HORSES AND CALVES CON
SUMED BY FLAMES.
LARGE BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE
COnfiagration on the HOllingswOrth Estate
Machines, Hay, Grain and Animals
Lost-Heavy Loss.


The large brick and frame barn on tht
Hollingsworth farm ON the New Castle road
about two and half miles from Whining
ton, was entirely destryed by FIRE last night.
number Of animals being consumed In thb
flames.
The building was two-story structure,
and one Of the largest in the county. The
main portion, built entirely of brick, was
about rs feet square, and was occupied as d
stable for horses on the ground floor, the
second story being used as q threshtng and
grain floor. Adjoining the brick portion
was two story frame structure, the lower
portion of which was used as a COW stable
hay, grain and fodder being kept on the
second floor.
South Of the barn proper were extensive
sheds for cattle and storage purposes, which
almost entirely covered yard over 100 feet
square. In the brick portion were four
horses, a fine six-year old stallion,
OF Hambletonian stock, two mules and
COW and calf. On the second floor were d
new threshing machine, plows and other
farming implements, besides 500 bushels oil
oats, and 20 bushels of wheat. In the COW
stable were Is cows 6 calves, and several
tons OF hay.
The entire stock mentioned perished, and
this morning the bodies Of the poor beasts
they had been chained or tied to their stalls
Around the necks of the COWS the chains
were still seen.
In the sheds In the yard were % steers, 16
shoats and two colts, which were all saved
by the efforts of neighbors attracted by the
flames. The steers saved belonged to p.
Reagan, for whom the lessee of the farm,
Charles Meggenson, was keeping them
temporarily.
A moving machine in one of the sheds
was also consumed with number of forks,
rakes, etc.
The flames were first seen by Jacob Simon,
living about one-sixteenth of mile east of
the barn, and he, with several others, started
for the place. When the fire was first seen
1t was no larger than a flour barrel, and
was blazing flercely directly over the cow
stable. BY the time Simon and the others
arrived on the scene the whole structure
was roaring fiercely, and all hope of saving
anything except those mentioned was gone.
The farm was occupied by Charles Meg
gcnson, who has conducted it for a number
of years. By the time Mr.. Meggenson, who
lives in the old mansion about $50 feet south
OF the barn site, had been alarmed the roof
of the main structure was almost ready to
fail in, which 1t soon did with crash.
1t was impossible to obtain water and all
that could be done was to stand patiently
by and watch the furious flames.
HORRIBLE SCENE.
The second story back of the barn is on a,
level with knoll Of ground and from that
point those who had turned out to lend their
assistance witnessed a horrible sight.
Ten feet below them could be seen
the tortured horses and cows.
plunging frantically to escape from the
misery they were enduring. Their plaintive
cries and moans were pitiable indeed and
several OF those present declare that the
spectacle is one they do not care to look
upon again.
THE WORK OF AN INCENDIARY.
There is no accoun ting for the fire except
upon the supposition of an incendiary, mas
much as no lantern had been around the
premises since early on Friday morning at
milking time. The feeling against the
wretch who may have committed the
act is very strong, and were he detected
the irate farmers would handle him roughly.
Several stacks of cornfodder and hay
almost adjoining the burned barn were saved
from destruction. One or two of the COWS
rescued from the barn yard were severely
singed, one having her front hoofs burned
black.
A GOATS EXPERIENCE.
While the flames were at their height
medium sized white goat which had been
locked In the stable, quietly and uncon-
cerned walked out of the yard, shook him
self and hunted shelter, unsinged.
LOSS AND INSURANCE.
The barn which was rebuilt about seven
years ago, having been destroyed by fire,
was valued at about $4,000, insured as
follows $4,000 in the Phoenix Insurance
Company of Hartford, Conn, by James
Woolley s. Co., and So 500 In the Farmers
Mutual Insurance Company.
The stock lost was valued as follows: 16
milch cows, at an average of S100; two
mules, $500; stallion, $500; horses, 500
each; threshing machine, $500.
The other losses could not be accurately
aScertained by the GAZETTE reporter who
visited the ruins this morning, owing to the
absence of Mr.. Meggenson, but it was stated
that his total loss will far exceed the insur-
ance which is, on stock, $1,000 in the New
Castle County Mutual
The barn was owned by Anna r. Hol-
lingsworth, now living in Philadelphia, who
was telegraphed for and arrived here at 1880,