Evening journal., 1899-12-11
HORSES, COWS,
MULES BURNED
Twenty-Five Animals Destroyed in
the Burning Of'the Barn of
Edward Woodward.
THE LOSS WILL REACH $1,000
LARGE STRUCTURE NEAR PRICES
CORNER CONSUMED BY FLAMES
EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.
ALL THE YEARS HARvEsTS
AND FARMING IMPLEMENTS.

ALL THE YEARS HARvESTS
AND FARMING IMPLEMENTS.
The walls on three sides are the only
evidences left of what was the large
barn of Edward Woodward on the new
road near Prices Corner. Within these
walls there is nothing but ashes and
the charred carcasses of twenty-nine
horses, mules, cows and hogs, which
were destroyed in one OF the biggest
fires in rural New Castle county for a
long time. This fire, which took place
early early yesterday morning, and the
attendant features, can only be COM
pared with the DUPONT and White barn
burnings, when several cattle were
burned.
The fire was a rapid one, ana the
burning of the dumb animals was a
frightful sight The neighing and bel
lowing of the suffering cattle could be-
heard, and their efforts seen, but the
heat of the flames was so intense that
rescue was impossible. The barn, be-
ing built entirely of. wood, and filed
with the years haryests, was as dry as
tinder, and the flames gained such a
rapid headway that no effort was made
to hinder their progress. All efforts
were turned to saving the surrounding
buildings.
Shortly before o'clock yesterday
Mrs Woodward was awakened by a.
bright light, which she discovered was
the stack of fodder burning at the
~ - hnss aT4sr a..rl
called her husband and John ]. Wood
ward, q nephew. The latter rushed to
the barn barefooted and entenirg the
stables turned loose seven of the COWS.
He attempted to release the horses, but
found that a door, which he had left
unlocked at - O'Clock, was bolted. At
that time the fire had broken out in
several places in the barn. Mr.. Wood
ward rushed back in the direction from
which he had come, but found that the
fire had gained such headway that he
could not get back. His only way of
egress was through a side door. Climb
ing over a fence he secured an axe and
broke open the bolted door. The flames
had reached the horses and mules that
were writhing in pain and they could
not be rescued. In the efforts of the
animals to break loose they were over
come by smoke and fell, where their
carcasses were afterward found. -Four
horses, three mules, twelve COWS. three
calves and seven hogs were destroyed.
The neighing of the horses and the bel
lowing Of the cattle could be heard for
n mile. A mare and its colt, young
bull and two mules had made desperate
efforts to get away from the flames. All
five Of the animals had huddled them
selves together at a door through which
they were accustomed to enter and
leave the barn, and here their burned
bodies were found.
AS soon as the fire was discovered
an alarm was set up by the ringing OF
the farm bell. Several neighbors were
aroused by this means and they form
er a bucket brigade. setting about to
save all the buildings surrounding the
barn. Water was thrown on the roofs
of the dwelling, carriage house and
creamery, and these were saved. The
wind was blowing to the west while the
fire was in progress. and endangered
the dwelling. All the contents of the
carriage house were saved by the
Misses Woodward.
The barn was one of the largest in
Chrisiana hundred, and was double.
decked. 1t contained seventy tons OF
hay, 500 bushels of oats, so bushels o.
wheat 200 bushels of corn, a grair
drill, moving machine, new farm
wagon, feed mill, hay cutter. foddei
shredder, horse power machine, all thl
harness and various other farming i'm
plements, all Of which were destroyed
Only cart and old buggy were saves
from the structure. The silO, filles
with ensilage, which stood against thl
north side of the barn, was burned. AL
the fodder from twenty-seven acres O
corn and large stacks of wheat AM
oats straw were also consumed. A larg
corn crib and a straw shed met a lilK
fate.
Mr.. Woodward had hauled out hi
seasons wheat crop just two weeks be
fore the fire. That which was in tn
barn at the time was intended for hi
own use. The fire deprives Mr.. Wood
ward of all the farming Implements
shelter, stock and products that he pos
sessed save eleven COWS and two calvel
six of which were in the barnyard be
fore the fire broke out
The carriage house and several car
riages, a binder, a sleigh, a roller,
cart and a buggy are the only thing
left from the flames. Not enough fee
COWS.
The loss is estimated to be betwee
$4,000 and $1,000, but the exact figure
Mr.. Woodward last night was unab
to give. The insurance, while it coul
not be definitely determined, is betwet
$4,000 and $4,000, mostly in the Mi
Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Compan
The loss is felt keenly by Mr.. Woo
ward, who is one of the progressi
farmers of Christiana hundred. m
barn was burned once before, in q
daytime, during August, 1881, and W
Immediately rebuilt.
In his efforts to rescue the hors
and COWS yesterday, John J. Woodwa
was severely blistered and burned
both hands and ON the face and ears.
The origin Of the fire is supposed
be incendiary, but what motive
.spired the application Of the torch
not known. -Nlr. Woodward said "