Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-05-26
A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
DESTROYING THREE DWELLINGS, ONE
STORE AND CHURCH.

troyed about four thousand dollars
worth of property, and nearly caused
| the loss of human life.
A few minutes before s p. IN. the
alarm was sent in from the corner OF
Okum and Church streets, better
known as "Hedrick's Corner" and at
once the city bell began to ring and
people begen to yell Fire p
On reaching the scene twas soon
| discovered that the fire had originated
in the feed room of Jim Sutton which
was too far gone to save.
The wind was blowing heavily from
the south and the flames began to
splead very rapidly, catching Mr.. Sut~
ton dwelling, which was burned to
the ground.
From Sutton S the flames rolled on,
sweeping things as they went By
this time hundreds Of people had
reached the scene, and realizing the
danger the surrounding property was
in, the men braced themselves for a
struggle which has made several Of
them reputation of which they may
we'll feel proud.
Next to burn was the home of Mr..
R. K. Hall. at which place the fire
might have been stopped had the
people been able to secure water and
buckets. Cries for water went up
but no water to be had. so the flames
went on and or, destroying not only
the houses Of Messrs. Sutton and Hall
but the home of Mr. John <. Hobbs
Near by was a store occupied by
Mr.. Northcott which was being torn
away as rapidly as possible when a
portion of the building was seen to fall
and the cries for help were heard from
three men, James Brown, T j. Has
ket. and a colored man, who had been
caught beneath it. Great excite ment
then prevailed, and they were soon
taken out and placed in the care Of
physicians, who Immediately discover
Ell that although they were badly
bruised AMI hurt yet they were uot
seriously Injured.
Sparks were then fying thick and
fast and the flames were shooting
mountain high, crossing the street to
the old (Cycamere) ii, E. Church,
one OF the 0 dest buildings in the
State. The people soon realized that
to save the church was beyond all
human power, and 50 they went to
work upon Hedrick's store, Jeffrey
Horizons buildings, R Nj Lees
dwelling and the houses Of Others ia
order to prevent further destruction
OF property.
Having secured ladders, blankets,
buckets, and supply of water they
did their duty and did it well. but the
heroic act Of Pr. Mark Irons saved
the adjoining property aud possibly
a dozen other houses in the vicinity.
Mr.. Irons wrapping himself in wet
blankets and reaching the roof Of r.
M. Lees h ouse the nearest to the fire,
fought the flames bravely and with
a determination, and with scorchiag
hands he never Stacked throwing
water moment. Others went to
his assistance but the heat drove ali
but few back, and it was fully an
hour ofthe very hardest work before
they had the flames under control.
just here we would say thae Mr..
Irons cannot be too highly praised
He worked molly and like hero; in
fact no one believes that even an ex-
perienced fireman could have done
better. Had it not been for him and
few assistants it cannot be imagined
where the fire would have ended.
The loss is estimated to be four
thousand dollars, and the insurance
will probably reach about two thous-'