Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-05-11
A BIG BLAZE.
Destruction of the Steam Flour Mill and
Damage to Other Property.

The most extensive cOnnaSratlon
that has visited Shepherdstown for
years occurred on Wednesday of this
week, when the steam flour mill Of
Mr.. L. w. Poffinberger, corner OF
Princess and High streets, was totally
destroyed and the Westinghouse be-
longing TO Mr.. George W. Knode, on
the opposite side of the street, was
badly damaged. The fire started in
the roof of the mill, where it caught
from spark from the sInoke-stack of
the steam engine. There was quite a
blaze when the fire was discovered,
and the building being built entirely
of woOd-mostly pine-the flames
spread with lightning rapidity. BY
the time the steam fire engine was at
work the roof of the mill was all ablaze
and the flames had burst from the
sides. The heat created was
most intense, preventing the fire
men from getting near enough
to do effective work, and soon
the frame dwelling-house on the Oppo-
site side Of the street burst into flames,
while an adjoining dwelling further
down the street began TO smoke. See
ing that nothing could be done to
save the mill, the firsmen devoted
their attention TO the two houses, and
although one Of them was ablaze
along the whole front and all over the
front roof, the fire was fought so skill
fully and so persistently that the
house was saved-of course damaged
to some extent. 1t was literally flooded
with water. One stream was kept at
work on the front of the burning
building, while the heroic tiremen
carried another up into the garrett
and fought the flames hand to hand
there. The front roof was burned of,
but the frame of the house was saved
from destruction and none OF the lire
got on the inside of the house. The
water injured the plastering OF the
ceilings TO some extent. The other
house. which also belonged to Mr..
Knode. was not damaged much, only
a couple of holes being knocked in the
roof All this time the mill had been
burning away tiercely, but by the
time the houses were out of danger it
had fallen, mass of embers.
= The occupants of the dwelling
houses in the neighborhood at once
began to move their household effects
when they saw the dangerous charac-
ter of the fire. \ lot of furniture be-
longing to Mr.. Ben. Hartzell was
stored in the mill, but it was all got
ten out safely. Mr.. William Crowl
and his father-in-law, Mr.. Jeptha Win
termoyer, occupied the dwelling
house that was burned, but they also
succeeded in removing their effects
with the help of the crowd. The
household goods of Mr.. Shafe Wagner
were carried from his dwelling, and in
the excitement a large safe in which
was all the crockery ware Of the fam
lily was overturned and nearly every
piece broken.
The flour mill was built eight or ten
years ago, and cost, with the machin-
cry, which included a sawmill attach
ment. about $4,000 The building is
a total loss. and the machinery is
probably damaged beyond repair.
The insurance on the property was
but $50. Mr.. knode's houses were
fully insured, and it is thought $500
will put them in good order. Mr.. II.
G.. Entler had placed all the insurance
in the Peabody of Wheeling.
The heat from the fire was terrific,
and the firemen and the citizens who
assisted suffered greatly. Mr.. Harry
Smooth was overcome and had to be
carried home a colored youth, Henry
White, also fell, and had a narrow
escape from death. Various articles
were held up by determined men as
screens from behind which the nozzle
men directed the streams of water.
Some really heroic work was done by
the firelnen and citizens, and a num-
Der Of them worked until they fell eX-
hausted. OF course the women folks
tainted in platoOns and were greatly
distressed and excited.
The Silsby steamer threw two ire
mendous streams for several hours,
and it was only the enormous quantity
of water that saved the property OF
that whole section, which was com
posed of old wooden buildings almost
exclusively.