Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-09
AIIDDLETOH,N.
A Destructive Fourth of July Fire
Horses and Grain Esurncd-LOss,

Horses and Grain Isurncd-Loss,
| $4,000.
Special Correspondence of Gazette and Journal
M1DDLETowN, July at is somewhat
out of order to see hands going to the
! harvest fields with heavy coats on, but
such has been the case for the past two
days.
Constable Duhadaway of Townsend,
again visited r.. l., Haudain's farm with
warrant yesterday. This time, how
ever, the Office came Ger the. farmer.
Duhadaway charged that Mr.. Naudain
refused to aid him in placing the
"bracelets" on the negro Vaughn the day
before. Naudain told the constable that
| he would accompany him to Townsend if
| it be necessary, but the case would not
end there. Duhadhway began TO back
| out at once and asked for an explanation.
1t is true that Naudain did not aid in plnc-
| ing the irons on Vaughn, but he advised the
prisoner to accompany the officer without
any trouble, which the darkey consented
to do. But without Mr.. Naudain's timely
advice there were not men enough in the
| field to take the prisoner this Duhada-
way admitted after he thought of the
hedge knives close ut hand. He also adj
mitted that Mr.. Naudain's advice was
more aid toward the arrest of his prisoner
than any physical assistance ut hand. The
officer apologized and hurried away.
Wheat in this section is reported to be
well filled, and the heads quite large.
L. S. Jones has purchased building
lot on Crawford street. Strange, but the
young men seem to prefer this street.
MpDIErowN, July 6.-The large and
commodious buildings on John Il. Will
liams' farm, about three and quarter
miles from this town, were entirely con-
sumed by fire on Saturday morning lust.
The facts rs / have learned them from
Mr.. Williams are about as follows: His
wheat was too green to cut and it being
the Fourth of July he told his hands to
get their teams and deliver some white
corn to a miller near by, after which they
could take holiday. Mr.. Williams him.
self left home at All early hour to go to
| another of his farms near the canal, and
did not return to his home farm until two
of his buildings had been consumed. Dur
ing his absence the laborers had delivered
the grain and returned home, put away
their teams and were about TO leave the
premises, when smoke was seen issu-
| ing from one corner of the barn.
The flames caught the hay and
made rapid Roadway. Several persons
passing were attracted hither, and Harry
Smith being among the first on hand
learned that seven horses were III the
stable. He secured an old bag and after
tying it about his head rushed in hoping
to release the animals. He got one out
without much difficulty and second one
| after being badly blistered. A third horse
oil Mr.
Smith barely escaped with his own life,
us the bag about his head took fire. -Four
horses Weighed and paved but were
beyond help, causing, in their endeavors
to free themselves, sickening scene, and
one not soon to be forgotten by those
present. The neighbors fastened to the
| farm and were soon joined by persons
from Odessa and Middletowi, who
labored hard to save other buildings, but
failed with all except an old wagon shed.
Mr.. Williams loss is n heavy one. His
buildings alone costing him SO 900, his
| horses were worth s. 100, his hay ut least
| II 200 together with 100 bushels of corn,
| threshing machines, corn shelters, fans,
harness. and entire outfit of farming inn
| dement's, ntking atotalof at least T12, 900
/ 0ss on which there is about $5, 900
| insurance. The origin of the fire is, of
course, unknown to Mr.. Williams, but l
| have learned that it is generally believed
| that spark from pipe started the fire,
having been dropped by some one after
returning from the mill. The dwelling
house which stands but n few yards away
was unframed, it being built of brick
and covered by q tin roof. One of the
| farm buildings was also built of brick, but
| had shingle roof thereon. A force of
mechanics will at once be engaged and
| the building replaced as soon rs possible,
| for Mt present Mr.. Williams has no place
to shelter any of his stock.
| During the rush for the scene, Ev.
Rose of Odessa was running his horse up
| the road Mt full speed, and one of the
| Hitler brothers was walking. Rose did
/ not go to one side, but rode over Hitler.
After reaching the scene, Rose was called
| TO account, and after hot words, n regular
bare knuckle fight took place, and it is
said that the Rose faction were worsted
by the Hitler boys.
Mr.. Williams thinks he will have to kill
another of his horses, as the animal is
badly injured, its eyes being burned out
of their sockets.
The Fourth was not observed here to
any great extent, all the places of bust
ness being kept open. Some few persons
went to the pier, while the sporting fac
ton of the inhabitants found enjoyment
in the base hall field, where some good
playing WINS done by more than one club.
The Men Em raised DIR. CAROLS
building too high by Az inches. The
carpenters say they raised the building
IA inches and not feet.
1t is said TINT an express messenger on
the Delaware railroad recently lost n
package containing 5000 between Phila-
delphia and Wilmington.
The Citizens Cofnet Band will hold
another festival on Thursday and Friday
evenings of this week. Tables will be
spread on the academy yard, and the
Townsend band will assist in furnishing
music.
M1pDLETowN, July John Carroll,
track walker on section No. 3, Delaware
railroad, narrowly escaped from death
this morning by being struck by the
north-bound express train due here nj
1904. Mr. Carroll WINS tightening II bolt
in the rail near Ginn's siding and, il being
II foggy morning, the engineer did not
SIC him until almost upon him. Fortu-
nntely Carroll was on the outside of the
track. A portion of the engine gearing
struck hin bnck of the head and
threw him to one side where lie
was found III an unconscious
condition when the train was stopped and
assistance sent back The wounded man
was picked up and brought to this town
4 and medical aid summoned. His neck
4.