Middletown transcript., 1899-07-01
LHuREL IN FISHES
LARGEST TOWN IN SUSSEX BURN
ED--I5 ACRES

Ab z Y ClFNh S3tuiOdy bUluibS al
explosion or pistol shot aroused some
: of Laure's citizans who at once gave
J the alarm of fre-a fire which Befole
it was put out had completely destroyed
60 stores, 26 residences, 80 stables, OF
120 buildings. The loss has been
estimated from 25 900 to 4)o,no. Tue
J insurance was insignificant teing esti-
mated at about 10000. Because of
lack of water works and fire facilities
the insurance rate was from to 5 per
CeUt., henee tie ffttssHi ffttssHil Ea3Hgn i,eE insured
The whole business part of the town is
burned including the two hotels, tie
new bank opened last year. the post
Office with many fine residences.
There were 81 families rendered home
less by the faWes and 60 business
houses and Offices destroyed, besides %
granaries and large barns.
The fire began in the pool room of j.
J. Laramer or in the vacant room
above the pool room and supposedly
occupied by gamblers. It was most
probably cigar stump or match upon
the floor. 1t was stly smoke to the
good people of Laurel. There have
been rnmors Of foul deed -murder-
and the fire to cover the crime, but no
evidence has been produced. Being
the wealthiest town accorfinr to size
and population, 5000, in the Sale /,
had just begun the erection of water
works at cost of $4,000. The wait
was few days too long, snd even then
then many people fought the expense.
They now see through smoke and ashes
the error Of their way. Five COM
panies and engines went from Salisbury,
Pocomoke City and Wilmington, the
latter sent two, going thrC ugh this
town about O'Clock.
The exact lis: of properties in the
path of the fires sweep is as follows:
Laurel House, L. G.. Johnson; build
ing $4,000; contents, $1,000.
Sussex Land Title and Trust Com.
paDy; building, $4,000; contents, $685.
900.
F. M. Hearn, millinery; building,
So, 900; contents, $1,000.
DR.. Edward Fowler, druggist and
state insurance commissioner; building,
So, 600; stock (uot saved } 81, 1,00o.
Union Store Company. H. B. Hitch;
building, 1000; stock, $4,000.
John Thawley, confectioner; build
ing, $500; contents, $500.
S. F. Smith, hardware; building,
Sc, 900, contents $4,000.
Ira Melvin, butcher; stock, $500,
Oliver Cordery, clothing; stock,
$4,000.
Miss Lizzie Hearn, millinery; stock,
$500.
John H. Fooks, drugs, S1.5O0.
J. Fl. Cubbage, eonfectioner, $500.
Harvey Kitchens, barber; building,
YA3OOOS NOhlCdlos pOOOs
Post Office, George E. Smith, post
master; building, 81 900; stuck, 81, 900.
Charles G. Atwell, jeweler; building,
81, 900; contents, $500.
The building of w. L. Torbert,
$1,000, and containing the stores of E.
& M. R. Riley, millinery, $500; Mrs.
Julia Phillips, millinery, $4,000.
Building of John r. Wilson, $4,000,
and containing the stores of John
Hurlb, ,.rt, harness, $500; NJ. B. Hearn,
grocer, 81. 600; J. NJ. Hi,cb, physician,
$500.
Building of D. J. Fooks, 50 1000; oc-
cupied by G. A. Hearn, grocer, $1,000.
Wootten & FOoks. commission mer-
chants, building, $500; contents, 81, 900.
Store of D. j.. Fooks, $4,000, and
dwelling of George E. Wiley, $500.
Building Of D. J. Fooks, $500, and
grocery store of E. E. Culver, S40O.
Building Of A. J. Horsey, $500; oc-
cnpied by j. j. Larimer, pool rooms,
$500, and W. German, grocer, 81 900.
Mrs. W. W. de Shields, residence,
$500; contents, 50 900. s
Miss Martha Hitch, millinery, g
81, 500. Q
Two small houses, vacant, 5000. p
Albert Bacon, dwelling, 81 200; con- '
tents, $500.
James Messick, dwelling, $500; con- t
tents. $500. n
W. A. Austin, dwelling, $1,000; t
contents, $500. a
George Wiley, granary, s4O0; dwell
ng, $500.
Building of H. B. Hitch, So, 900, in
which were the millinery store of ]. E. "
Bostic, $500, and NJ. E. Williams, il
S4OO. b
S. L. Parker, grocer; building, 81
4 900; stock, 81 900. CT
Three dwellings of W. J. Lloyd, A
ZOO, and occupied by W. W. Records, c'
'15o; Joshua Lloyd, $3.50; John al
S10O. ca
D. J. Fooks, new canning factory, fo
300; contents. $4,000.
W. H. Lloyd, granary, slOo; stock,
800.
Danitl HearD, office, S125. l.
Thomas H. Riggin, dwelling, 81, 500; 2,
ontents, $500. y
Thomas H, Riggin. Jr.. dwelling, be he
500; contents, $500. co
Edward Taylor, dwelling, 2. 900; con- an
ents, 1000. wi
Cannon House, hotel. j. ]. Galloway, Bi
1900; contents, 1000. tn
w. b., Thomson, dwelling, 900. lmn m
George W. Pusey, dwelling, 1900; - -
600. 81
E. WootteD, justice Of thr peace, Pb
lilding, 200; contents. 300.
Jamns r. Rosiic livery 5(lfl. stoek =