The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1893-04-30
DAVIS HOTEL DESTROYED.
DESTRUCTIVE TON
YESTERDAY AT KITTREI.I,.
The Famous Winter Hotel Rurn.d.
The Guests Have Narrow Escapes-..
The Loss Very Large The Henderson
Fire Company Comes to the Rescue.

0i"h LIS morning before Sun-uD
early risers in the town and out
skirts found the centre of the Davis
hotel wrapped in smoke and flame.
The alarm was instantly given, and
not moment too soon. In three
minutes after the sleepers in the
south wing of the buildidg rushed
out, the smoke confined by the glass
inclosed porches, had become 20
sitting that life could not have exis-
ted in it. AS it was the guests escaped
in their nightwear, leaving clothes
and In some cases watches and
Jewelry behind Many fine guns
were also lost.
Mrs. Davis mother, the venerable
and amiable Mrs. Sheppard, en-
deared to the community by quar-
ter of century of charitable deeds,
had an extremely narrow escape. A
heavy trunk was thrown down, clos
ing narrow stairway and for a
+ precious moment or two cutting off
all escape. Madame Burh, French
lady staying with Mrs. Davis,
blinded and bewildered, lost her
bearings and was with great diff
Guilty and no little peril rescued
by a gentleman of the town after
the dense smoke had swept like an
lnky torrent through rooms and
corridors.
But for the prevalence of steady
southeast wind, which carried the
heat and sparks clear Of all other
buildings, the whole town must
have been destroyed. As it was, q
house belonging to Mrs, Henry and
close to the railroad property
caught repeatedly and was extin-
guished with great difficulty.
Henderson was wired for help
and responded with great prompt.
ness. A strong detachment of the
hook and ladder company, under
command of Mr.. j. D. Cooper, made
the run IN eight minutes on heavy
freight train, arriving in time tc
have saved the railroad property
had the Henry building caught, as
long seemed inevitable. Major
Winder, being in Henderson, gave
ell necessa y orders as to transpor
tation, and came in person to the
scene
Praise and gratitude are due Mir
j. W. Peasants, G. |. Moore, r. NJ
Person and others, white and col.
ored, for activity and daring il
keeping the fire in bounds.
The hotel, 250 feet long, with {
wing of IS feet, all two, and in par
three stories high, besides billiard
room, concert hall, ten-pin alley anc
several outbuildings, were reduced
to ashes within an hour. A very
small part of the furniture anc
equipment was saved. The origin
of the fire is unknown.
Mr. Davis has been carrying $26,
600 in insurance, but owing to tn,
recent Introduction of every appli
auce to prevent or extinguish fire
had reduced it to $4,000. Ever
$26,OOO would have been far unde
the actual loss. In buildings alone
he must have first and last ex
pended $4,000. Besides this, tn,
house was at great expense fur
nished and equipped to suit tn.
highest class of hotel patronage
Fortunately he is man of ample
means, and can rebuild, or conver
other buildings, which he own
here, into hotel. By good fortune
Mrs. Davis saved her valuable dia
monds. The safe, containing deed
and other valuable papers, wen
through the fire and has not We
been opend
For nearly twenty five years Mr.
Davis has been in our midst Grea
enterprise, uprightness and gener
osity have characterized him from
first to last. Socially and POLITICAL,
he has been in full touch with US
His family have always been promp
in charity and all good deeds
Boundless sympathy, is expressed
and felt for their misfortune, ant
every door in town was thrown
open to them and other guests.
O. W. BLACKNALL.