The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-05-10
LARGE FIRE AT BEL AIR.
in. &. WATTS ROUSE BURNED.
JOHN +. RAITT OVERCOME BY HEART
DISEASE WHILE TRYING To
SAVE PROPERTY.


Last Saturday evening the handsome dwelling.
house of Mr. j. II. &. Watts, situated near the
NJ. e.. Railroad station, Bel Air, caught fire and
was entirely destroyed. Three plumbers and
painiers.wcre at work in the garrett stopping a
leak in the water tank. One Of Them Harry
Birmingham, was sidc Of the tank, engaged
in applying coating OF asphaI'um. The other
two, Richard BreutOn and Louis Calder, were
outside. Being anxious to finish the Job, Biz
mingham was working by the light OF candle.
Suddenly the asphaltum caught fire aud In q
moment the inside OF the tank was in blaze.
Birmingham got out hastily, but not before his
hair and eyebrows were siuged. He rushed
down stairs and informed Mir. Watts. They
both seized fire eXtlEguisAcrs and ran TO the
spot The cXtinguisheIs were used but were
insufficient 10 control the flames Mr. Watts
was severely burned ON the head, face and riant
hand. Mrs. Watts, who was seated down stairs,
heard the roaring of the fire, and ut once con.
occurring the cause, sent the nursefO her child
rem, who were taken to place Of safety. The
tenants in houses near by heard the cry of fire
aud running 10 the pot began to carry out the
furniture. The flames were soon visible on the
outside, and the citizens OF the town, white and
black rushed 10 the scene. By the exertuns
OF the assembled crowd nearly everything was
gotten out OF the FIRST, second aud third stories
The articles IN the garnet, including Ms. Watts
wardrobe, were destroyed. The furniture was
carried to al unoccuped house near by, belong
ing to Mr.. Watts, where it was stored. Tue
goods were scattered all around the house and
before they could be gathered together many
small articles were stolen,
Fortunately there was no wind and the flames
went upward. OtheTw i-c il is believed that the
stables and outbuitdiug5 and row of small
frame houses near the railroad would a so have
been destroyed. Mrs. Watts secured her box
Of iGwelry, containing valuable gold bracelets
and gold watch which her husband had had
made Tor her in Geneva. She placed the box
where she thought II would be safe, but it WAS
stolen
Inc house was built few years ago by Mr..
Edward Ferry, by whom it wls, sold to. Mr..
Watts. The latter had madt improvements
upon il from time to time and had just added
fine conservatory aud library. Mr.. Watts
and his family spent last winter in Bati-
more and removed to their country home
week before last. His loss, said TO be
about $1,000, is perhaps fully covered by
insurance, OF which $1,000 on the Building and
5000 Oh the contents, is in the Hartford com
pany The furniture had been amply insured
IN Baltimore but the Insurance wls not trans
fclred.
The saddesi feature Of the fire was the death
Of Mr. John +. RaItt. lie was engaged with
Others in carrying out piano In descending
the steps the entire weight Of one end of the in
strument was borne by him Dropping the end
he carried he threw up hi, hands saying, my
God, am dying" He was carried away from
the building and laid upon mattress Dr.
VIM. $. Richardson saw him A few minute,
afterwards and DR.. j. {. Butler also attended
him. He died, however, in about len OF fifteen
minutes. His death was caused by heart disease
Mr.. Rsiit was o son Of the late Charles II.
Raitt, Of this county. lie wa, u man of more
than ordinary ability aud intelligence, and took
much interest in political affairs, ~ Republi-
can. MIR. Ruitt was about 60 wears of aye. He
studied law and was admitted to the bar in
Grcenip county, Kentucky, in 1862 aud 10
the bar Of Hartford Couuty court in 1867, but