The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-28
BURNED TO DEATH.
A Horse Owned by John
Mearns The Butcher, a
Prey to Flames
liGtH9lAsy fires TIE BARN
On the Farm OF Peter Murphy
4 near Greenville-Another Horse
Killed-I.oss Upwards of
$500. Farmers are
1ncensed.

The frame barn on the farm of Peter
Murphy, situated on the road leading
from Greenville to Mt. Cuba, about foul
miles from this city, was totally destroyed
by fire last evening together with one
horse. COW, wagons, farming nipple
ments, harness and tools, the property OF
John Mearns, the tenant, entailing loss
of upwards of $500 Beside the dead
horse. two others were so badly burned
that enc had to be killed.
| The fire had lis origin in tho extreme
western end of the barn and broke out
about $50 o'clock, Mr. Mearns and the
members of his family We're at Mt Salem
Church, Highlands, at the time where Mr.
Mearns plays a cornet for the choir The
only person about the place was John
McGrillas, young white man who Is EN-.
! ployed by the tenant. When he discover.
! ed the flames he rushed into the bnrn and
at the risk Of his own lite sought to save
those of the horses a1d cow confined
| there
! He succeeded in reaching the COW and
drove her out safely while tho flames above
him wiped up mally everything they
touched and tho smoke was suifocating.
| The three horses were i'll another portion
of the stable and returning to the burning
/ structure the young man made an effort
! to secure ono which was nearest the fire.
He was unsuccessful however and was
| compelld toleave the poor animal victim
for the flames.
Turning his attention to another horse
McGrillas led the animal from the barn,
but not before the young man himself had
been badly burned about tho hands and
head and the horse SO badly burned that it
may have to be killed. The third horse
when McGrillas returned to the barn was
surrounded by the fire, but tho daring
young man made his way through the fire
and drove the animal out.
But his work of rescue did not mean tho
life of the animal, for its eyes were burned
out and its body burned to crisp in
places The suffering animal was killed
this morning. Mr.. Mcarns' loss will
amount to about $1,000, he valuing tho
two horses at 5000; farming Implements at
$25O; butcher wagon at $50; butchers
tools SIC; dearborn $50; harness $50, and
miscellaneous articles valued at 300
The only articles saved beside tho COW,
was II dearborn and horse which Mr..
Mearns was using
Fortunately for the tenant, there was
no grain in the building Hay, straw and
oats were in another building and they
were therefore saved
The barn was about Is feet long and 25
feet deep The foundations were stone
dry which mado it the excellent food for
flames. 1t was reduced to ashes in an
hour.
The reflection could be seen plainly from
this city, and many persons went out to
the spot, but could do nothing except to
prevent the spread Of the flames. which at
one time threatened to destroy the granary
and hen house near by. Tie dwelling Is
about fifty feet from the burned barn and
i i. e OF : a
taking fire
The fire was of incendary origin. Nc
GrIlas, it is understood had said he saw q
strange man about the place during the
evening before the fire and had chase d
the stranger down the rond, after he, Nc
GrillaS, had taken the COW and horses
from the building. A REPUBLICAN re-
porter was al the farm this morning and
also at The McGrillas home near by, but
caould not find the young man, therefore
the report could not be verified.
1t was said he had gone to tho NTcarns'
place, nut no one there had seen him dur
ing the morning. However, farmers in
the neighborhood believe the story, as also
does Mr. Mcarns, who cannot say why
any one should have such grudgu against
him.
Tho farm is owned by Peter Murphy, of
No. 30i Poplar street, this city, who had
an insurance policy Of 800 on the barn
ana therefore will lose nothing, Mr..
Mcarn5 lost all he possessed.
Sentiment in the noighborhood this
morning was very bitter against the party
or parties who committed tho dasiarliy
decd, and should there have been an ink.
ling as to who was guilty he would not
have been very well handled. The farm
crs are of the opinion that another gang
of barn burners has spotted tho commun.
ity, and in the future will keep their guns
loaded extra deep, ready for any emor.
genCy.