Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-05-02
Destructive Fire Mt ArdmOrc.

Editor Greenbrier Independent
The clock had just struck one last
night. The bright quarter Of the
moon was shining serenely upon
Ardmore, the largest town not only
in the Chickasaw Nation, but | be-
lieve in the Indian Territory. The
night was lovely one. A cloudless |
sky and glittering stars seemed to
repeat the song of the angels which
has come down the ages "On earth
peace, good will toward men," More
than five thousand citizens were
wrapped in deepest slumber. Their
dreams were not disturbed by fear of
impending calamity. Here and
there dim light flickered in the
chamber OF the sick, and the dark
lantern of the lovely watchman
shone in through plate glass win
dows. A very gentle breeze from
the East passed softly over the de-
serted streets. Peace and quiet
reigned in Ardmore.
But "one sinner destroys much
good" The foul fiends put mis-
chief into the heart Of a villain.
Stealthily he crept to the rear of a
livery stable. Placing lighted
match in the hay he fed as only the
guilty can flee.
The barn was of pine in the midst
Of similar structures. Faster than
can write the flames spread. The
watchman's ready revolver was fired
rapidly. Suddenly in every part of
the city the people were aroused by
the firing Of pistols which every
Southern man knows so we'll as the
customary signal of fire. Half a
dozen one and two story frame
houses were blazing. The whole
city was lighted up. Men were run
ming from every street and every
alley screaming fire! fire! Ard
more is burning! Ardmore is burn
ing !! !"
By the time they reached main
street three-story wholesale brick
house was envelOped in fames.-
The two banks in large bricks were
in imminent danger, the windows
and fronts cracked and smashed in
the heat, but the wind favored
them. The fire had started a block
north of main, it crossed the street
and swept up every building in the
first block south and going west
burned up all the business houses on
both sides the street for a cOnsidcra-
BILE distance. 1t was broad daylight
when it was gotten under control.
Six of the best business blocks in
the town were consumed. Half a
million dollars worth of property
was reduced to ashes.
Ardmore has no water works, is
not Incorporated, has no fire COM
pany and no man at the head of af-
fairs.
My pen cannot describe and your
imagination cannot picture the con
> fusion in the streets while the roll
ing flames spread from house tC
house and block to block. The
binding smoke, the shower Of bIaZ
, ing cinders, the crash of falling
, walls, the explosion Of kegs of pow
! der shaking the city, cartridges il
2 the great hardware stores firing like
: soldiers in fierce skirmish, the
; thunder of explosives in drug stores
whistling engines and rattling wag
ons all had an exciting tendency.
q The roar Of voices and sound o
d sledge and ak as men fought tn,
. hungry, devouring fire, the cry 70
q volunteers as merchants, lawyers
@ editors, smiths, physicians sough
}, to carry their goods to places O
u safety, the wringing Of hands anC
- gnashing of teeth by the pale face
!. whose property was not insured, tn
@ hurried dressing and rapid trampini
@ Of employees and guests in boarding.
o houses and hotels increased the con
fusion.
Il There were pathetic scenes.
the barn fred by the vile incendiar
thirty-six horses were tied in stalls
u a few, perhaps half dozen escaped
The moaning and groaning of tn
u rest Of the noble animals as the
were roasted alive is too horrible t
. contemplate. The shrieking of
7 man caught in the burning hay ws
h distressing-wh whether he will live
AZ doubtful.
The Jail, a wooden structure har