The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-09-19

MlTGHELL'S WELL KNOWN DRUG STORE
DAMAGED BY FLAMES.
A Threatening Oonhagration Reverted by
Prompt Action Of Firemen.

A Threatening Conhagration Reverted by
Prompt Action Of Firemen.
Elktnn WAS a scene of intense "Ncitcment
in the region mf the ''I"llnN yesterday
morning at an early hour, when TIA" alarm
of fire was sounded hy the ancient bell that
swings high mp in the Strrple of the ancient
Court House. On Thursday night when
Mr.. Charles Il. Perkins, the clerk Who does
guard duty through the night in the room
directly above Dr. Arthur Mitcticll's drug
store and Coroner LitZrnbcrg, whose resi-
dcncc adjoins the latter building on the
west, retired tl their SAUNDERS they little
thought of the tasks that lay before them
to perform ere breakfast. Coroner LitZen-
berg was slumberlng sw, city, As all good
CorOners do, when at about $50 y. NJ. he
was aroused from his dreams by the pres
ence in the air of his bedroom of something
very much resembling smoke Mr.. I.itzrn-
the untmcly vsitant, and, after turning
the matter carefully over in his mind, de
clci that the cause of his disturbance
issued from an aperture in the wall of a
lower room, and had its origin evidently in
the cellar of the drug store. Quickly sum
monng his young son, they aroused Mr..
Perkins, informed him of the condition of
affairs, and then Mr. Litzenberg did what
made the quiet, deserted streets OF Elkton
a scene of populous cXcitement-he rang
the court house bell. The alarm, so well
understood by every citizen of Elkton, was
quickly answered by Il large number of the
townspeope who came in every Imaginable
condition of hastily-donned dress; caring
not, however, for their clothes, but eager to
lend what aid they could in eXtinguishing
the flames, which Mr. Perkins by this time
had discovered We're confined to a box and
barrel of lamp-black and several odds and
ends of lumber situated in the southern end
of the cellar.
Before the arrival of the faithful old COM
panion Of the "Nigiant," Mr.. Perkins had
exhausted the contents of one Babcocll Ex-
tinguishcr and several dozen of the Hay
ward Hand Grenades, and upon his efforts
with these implements we believe rests the
premature death of what would undoubt-
eddy have been Il long-lived and destructive
fire. Owing to the cioseness of the time of
the lire to the hour of our going to press,
we have not much space in this issue to
give any of the minor details connected
with the affair.
The engine, upon its arrival, was bravely
manned by competent crew OF tiremen,
and their efforts in suhduing the ravagcs of
the fiery demon We're successful. All who
offered any assistance at all worked bravely
and well. BY Il o'clock the last faint sign
of flame or smoke had disappeared, and the
ueighborh0Od Of the excitement assumed
its usual quiet aspect. Opinions are widely
varied as to the origin of the fire, but it is
believed by the majority to have been a
case of spontaneous combustion. The loss
and damage amount to very little, no stock
of any account having been burned, al
though the flames We're in close proximity
to long row of barrels containing oils and
turpentine.
iiut one pathetic incident was noted dur
ing the progress of the fire, and that occur
red at its outset when Mr.. Herman BALL.
the popular clothing merchant, whose estab-
lishment adioins the drug store, was heard
after failing in the dark to discover the
whereabouts of the broadcloth garments so
necessary to the gentility of his worthy
limbs, to tearfully exclaim: ooh, mine two
stores, mine two stores. they will all be
gone, all be gone" But it was much to
Mr.. Balls credit that, after This natural
consideration of his own prospective loss,
he turned To and aided extensively in the
labors of the iiremen.