Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-05-19
I From the Shepherdsto,m Register.

From the lShepherdStOtC7l Register.
DEATH OF AN AGED MAN AND
JUST Mr.. David Hoffman, one of
the most aged and most honorable
citizens of this county, died at his res
idence about three miles east of Shep-
herdstown on Wednesday night, May
9th, at IL O'Clock. He had been in
failing health for some months his
vital powers gradually wearing away
as the result of old age, and he passed
away peacefully and quietly, dying
the death of a single-hearted Christian
who lad served his Master as men,
Der of the church for sixty-four years.
Mr.. Hoffman was 81 years, S months
and q days old. He had lived all his
life in this country, and a singularly
pure and honest life 1t was. If ever
he wronged any one Or did an injury
it was done unconsciousiy, for he was
indeed just in all his ways. r..
Mr.. Hoffman was married twice,
and survived both his wives. He
was the father of twelve children,
nine of whom are now living, Alfred,
who lives in Martinsburg Thomas,
in Shepherdstown; Samuel, IN Cali
fornia; j. Calvin, in Hagerstown;
George, near Kearneysville; Jacob,
who lives at the home place; Kate,
wife of James Staley, of this county
Mary Hanna, of Hagerstown, and
Sallie Horn, of Funkstown. There
was family reunion at the home
stead last February, when all the
children gathered arount their father,
even the son from California being
present.
The most extensive conflagration
that has visited Shepherdstown for
years occurred on Wednesday of this
week, when the steam -four mill of
Mr.. l.. w. Poffenberger, corner of
Princess and High streets, was totally
destroyed and the dwelling. house 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 smoke-stack of
the steam engine, There was quite
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 firemen
from getting near enough to do effec-
tive work, and soon the frame dwell
ing-house on the opposite side of the
street burst into flames, while an adj
joining dwelling further down the
street began to smoke. Seeing that
nothing could be done to save the
mill, the fireman devoted their atten-
tion to the two houses, and although
one of them was ablaze along the
whole front and all aver the front roof
the fire was fought so skillfully 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 fireman carried
another up into the garnet and fought
the flames hand to hand there. The
front roof was burned off, but the
frame of the house was saved from
destruction and none of the fire 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 couple
of holes knocked in the roof. All
this time the mill had been burning
away fiercely, but by the time the
houses were out of danger it had fall
en-, q mass of embers.
The flour mill was built eight or ten
years ago, and cost, with the machin-
cry, which included saw-mill attach.
ment, about $1,000. The building is
a total loss, and the machinery, is pro.
baby damaged beyond repair. The
insurance on the property was but
$3.50. Mr.. Knode's houses were fully
insured, and it is thought $500 viii
put them in good order.
The heat from the fire was terrific
and the fireman and the citizens whit
assisted suffered greatly. Mr.. Harry
| Smooth was overcome and had to bt
carried home. A colored youth
Henry White, also fell, and had mar
row escape from death. Various arti
cles were held up by determined mer
as screens from behind which tn,
nozzlemen directed the streams o
water. Some really heroic work wa
done by the firemen and citizens, ant
a number of them worked until the,
fell exhausted. Of course the woman
folks tainted in platoons ana wer
distressed and excited.