The Forrest City times., 1892-04-22
THE FIRE.
Marrow Escape from the Worst Confiagra-
 tiOn in Our History.

Marrow Escape from the Worst Connagra-
 ton in Our History.
 At o'clock Monday night an alarm was sounded by the church bells and it was discovered that the mass of frame buildings in the rear of II. B. Gwyn & Co., s was in flames. The fire origi- mated in the corn bin of stable owned by Russell, Graham & Co. The origin is a mystery, though circumstances would lead to the theory of incendiarism It may he, however, that some one carelessly tossed lighted cigar or cigarette into the stable. A mule be- longing to this firm was badly scorcbed before being released from his stall. Mir. Graham's fine horse had to be carried bodily from the burning build ing, and it required hard work to over come his frantic efforts to return.
 The fire was speedily communicated to the surrounding frame stables and shanties, and for a time it seemed as though the entire block was doomed. There was no breeze, however, and the persistent efforts of our citizens were finally rewarded with the successful ex- tinguishment of the flames. Nearly everybody fought the fire. Our town is destitute of ordinary protection against fire, but stores were opened and buckets seized, liDes were formed to the various wells and cisterns and water procured in this way. The store of II. E. Gwyn x Co. caught fire sev- eral times, but was extinguished by persons upon the roof and those who daringly ran in between the seething flames and theatened building. The v-lr r,r nerfn Nf Hv-n- ham & Co. was pretty badly scOrched About d dozen small frame buildings were destroyed. A small stable be- W. Suggs (coloredl was consumed. as well also two small store rooms be- longing to the same parties; and a (colored) as shOeshop was torn to do with cOntining the fire within the Bonner was in great danger, catching fire several times, and for time it ap- peared as ii it must go, but well-di- rected efforts saved it.
 The colored people deserve great credit for the heroic work performed by them. There was not a drone among them. They vied with each other as to which should do the most work. The property owners on North Front street owe them large debt of gratitude.
 Charley Izard, Of THE TIMEs force, took a position upon the roof of II. B. Gwyn & Co. s store and fought the fire like Trojan. No man present did more effective work than our Charley. His example and encouraging words did much to hold the others to their posts, and thus contributed very large lv to the successful issue of the efforts to check the confagration. His face next morning somewhat resembled a boiled lobster, but he avowed he was all right, and buckled down to work as though he had not been largely in- strumental in preserving Forrest City from one of the worst calamitieS in it's history.
 Rev Moses Suggs (colored) worked hard, became overloaded and falnted.
 o. D. Spicer was one of the hardest and most effective workers.
 Tom Hester, by the timely throwing of bucket of water, saved the Gwyn building.
 There was difficulty in sinking the light wooden buckets in the cistern at the Fitzpatrick gin, and Walter Sweet leaped into the water and acted as "sinker," thus greatly expediting the handling of the water.
 Cass Putnam aided largely in extin- gushing the flames.
 E. Bonner has only the use of one arm, but he worked most effectively all the same.
 Frank Devasier and R. F. Mead were among the best workers. W. F.. Williams was among the first on the ground, worked as hard as any. body and contributed largely to put ting out the fire.
 Capt. c. L. Knight did as much as any of the boys. Will Webb went through the tin roof of Gray & Vogel's feedstOre, but caught by the arms and escaped seri- ous injury.
 Russell. Graham q Co. lost $500; in- sured for S4OO. Darden q Suggs lost $20O; uninsured.
 Largest, cheapest and best stock of goods ever brought to the city, at l., |