The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-02-20
TWO LARGE FIRES.
The Barn of George W. Hull, near westmin-
ster, and the Store of J. C. Hull, in West
minister, Burned-Losses, Insurance,
&c.-Excellent Work Of the Fire
Department


noon last word was brought to this city that
the large barn on the farm of Mr.. George W.
Hull, in the rear of Kriders cemetery, near
this city, was on fire and the flames beyond
| control. The particulars of the fire, as We
could gather them from those who were pres
ent, are as follows In the morning Mr..
Hull, who is largely engaged in the milk bus
mess, had his choppers at work preparing
fodder and grinding grain, using his engine
for motive power. Dinner was announced
about 11.30 a. m. and everything was left in
safe condition when the hands went to dinner.
The usual farm labor was performed after the
midday meal, and about half-past three
| o'clock the cattle were tied in their respective
stalls and preparations were being made for
| the afternoon milking and feeding While
the mixers were at the house getting their
pals together a boy came running to the
house calling out that the fodder stack was
on fire. Everything else was dropped and
all ran to the barn. The horses and cattle
were gotten out and moved TO place OF
safety and then attention was given to the
movable things in the barn, wagon sheds, &c.
| By this time the neighbors had arrived and
they rendered timely aid. The barn was in
| flames and nothing could be done but to pre-
vent the destruction Of the other buildings.
With the barn was consumed about 1900
bushels of wheat, 400 bushels of oats, 80 tons
/ of hay and straw, and nearly all the farming
| implements. A hog house was somewhat
damaged. The fire burned on and even up
to eight o'clock at night the reflection on the
| sky was visible.
! Several rumors reached town that the barn
| and buildings on the farm of Mr.. George c.
! Grass were on fire, but fortunately they proved
/ to be incorrect.
! Mr.. HulIs loss is about $1,000 on which
/ there is an insurance in the Dug Hill Com
pauy of $3.50 on the barn and contents.
Neighbors watched the smouldering embers
| all night, there was strong wind blowing
/ Many deeds of daring are reported, but where
all worked so maninlly it would not do to
/ specify any particular one. Edward, son
| of Mr. Hull, was severely burned about the
| face and arms
Mr. Grass kindly rendered the use of his
property to Mr. Hull and the stock was re-
moved to his place.
THE FIRE IN WESTMINSTER.
| Just twelve hours after the above lire, as
| Henry Morgan, colored, was on his way to
| call Mr.. Mort. Babylon, he discovered that
the grocery and house furnishing store of j.
/ Cornelius Hull, son of Mr.. G. W. Hull, on
! Pennsylvania Avenue, this city, was on fire.
| He gave the alarm and shortly after the lire
| bell began ringing. strong north wind
was blowing, and owing to tie lowness of the
/ Dellry on the Duliulug tle tliill VAS hOt uiS
/ tinctly heard in the West End. Many per-
sons opened their windows. but no glare was
I visible and they retired to their couches
| again. thinking it was a false alarm. Not
| outstanding the intense cold and wind the
! firemen were soon at work and three streams
were playing upon the building through the
| side and front windows 1t was a stubborn
| fire, being between the roof and ceiling. The
| roof was covered with sheet IRON. Water
| froZe on the ladders, the hand straps on the
1 hose were covered with ice and it was with
the greatest difficulty that the hose and lad
ders could be moved, and the pavements and
alleyways were so slippery that the men had
to move cautiously to prevent accidents
| But the men stuck to their work and shortly
! after five O'Clock the fire was put out, being
! confined to the upper story. 1t is supposed
the fire originated from rats or mice gnawing
matches, which were kept up there as n pre-
caution, or from n defective chimney. Mr.
| Hull was not at home, having gone out to his
fathers after closing his store. Word was
sent to him by special messenger and he
was soon on the scene, but he could do moth
! ing except open the store door, and he and
Chief Herr entered the building. The lower
floor was flooded and the falling glass and
crockery warned them not to tarry long
Very few persons were present, as the mer
curry was lowering around zero, and rs soon
as it was found that the firemen had effect
ually extinguished the flames, they left for
their respective homes.
Upon visiting the building several hours
later it was found that that portion Of the
| floor of the upper room, next to Zepp's
drug store, was burned through, letting the
fire and water down to the main store room.
while the greater part of the roof and ceiling
were destroyed The cellar was nearly full
of water, and broken glass and crockery ware
were scattered all over the first floor.
The building is brick, two stories high and
is owned by Mr.. John l.. Reifsnider, apd has
long been recognized as one of the best loca-
tons in the city for business. The insurance
on the building and contents was placed by
Mr.. James f. Smith, and is as follows:
On the building, $3.50 in the Northern
Assurance Company, of London, and Sl250
in the Merchants Insurance Company, of
Newark, n. j. On the contents of the store
$500 in the North British and Mercantile
Insurance Company, of London and Edin-
burgh, and $500 in the Commercial Union
Assurance Company Gimited) of London,
England.