Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-06-14

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One of the most serious fires in
the history of Augusta occurred
Wednesday, June Sth. At 4. 40
IN the afternoon smoke was seen
issuing from the drug store occu-
pied by Davenport & Phinizy. Be-
ing situated in the heart of the
city the cry of fire was quickly
borne to the ears of thousands OF
people, and almost Immediately
Broad street was crowded in that
vicinity.
The fire alarm was hurriedly
turned in from Schneider's corner
and the department promptly re-
sponded to it. At first it appeared
as though the talk of subduing the
flames would not be such a dlttl-
cult one, but Chief Roulett with
his trained eye, quickly decided
to bring all of his men on the
scene and general alarm was
sounded. About that time people
began running madly toward Ellis,
and word passed from mouth to
mouth that at the rear IF the store
the fire was doing it's worst, and
was even then blazing through the
roof, shooting flames heaVenward,
causing tremendous cinders to fall
in showers on all streets nearby.
ward. The flames, as though an.
cry at being cooped up for such a
time inside, suddenly burst
through the whole front of the
building, with great crash. The
greatest excitement prevailed, men
and boys were hurrying hither and
thither with arms full of law looks,
clocks, sewing machines, and any
thing else that came handy. One
man enz Ellis street was seen
throwing parts Of a wagon to the
sidewalk, ably-smashing the
articles, but he went serenely on
tossing things out of the window
to sure distraction.
At $50 o'clock it vas apparent
that the fire could not be confined
to the Montgomery building, and
that Thomas & Barton's must go
also, for smoke was noticed creep
ing through the roof preceding the
flames but short period.
The fire had assumed such pro-
portions that it seemed probable
the whole block would be swept
away. Owners of buildings in the
neighborhood had given up hope
and really the whole district SEEM
ed threatened.
Explosions were frequently
heard. caused by the barrels of oil
stofed in Davenport & Phinizy's
and Alexander's drug stores.
FUsILADE. OF CARTRIDGES.
A quantity of cartridges belong
ing to the state militia was in the
German Guards room at the
Armory, which, when coming in
contact with the flames s)uttered
and cracked for fully a half hour,
much to the discomfort of the fire
fighters. The cry was raised that
Stubs place was burning, and
almost before it could be said that
building was in the grasp Of the
fire demon. Streams were playing
on all the buildings near and
actually, garden hose had been
brought into use at the Georgia
Railroad bank, and the National
Bank of Augusta to keep the fronts
cool and safe from the blistering
heat from across the street.
Someone ran through the Chronicle
alley and caused a :panic by
yelling that the whole of cotton
row was on fire. Interest was
Immediately withdrawn from the
Broad street fire and people poured
through Mcintosh and Jackson
streets wildly excited, and terrified
beyond measure.
1t developed that The report was
greatly exaggerated, but still
very serious fire was in progress
on Reynolds street. Chief Roulett
sent a hose wagon and men to the
scene Immediately, but it was toe
late to save the homes of Mrs
Walton and Mrs. Robertson.
Mayor Robbie decided TO call fol