The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-15
LANCASTER.
The Fire Fiend- Building Personals Etc.
Etc.

Lancaster Va, may ~ A"""'
A large fire in the wake Forest
woods, near Lancaster o. H., produced
great excitement and CONSERVATION
among people situated In its proximity.
A high wind was blowing this tremen-
dous oon6agration towards the barns Of
Mr. Royster Marsh, and as Mr.. Marsh
has been sick for some time from
the effects OF "g ip," and is still very
feeble, much uneasiness was manifested
concerning him The fire, result OF
oarelessness on the part Of those who
feel life's freedom. but not it's Tespon'
sibilities, began Tuesday morning in o
field In the negro settlement commonly
called "New-Town, where Armistead
Williams was employed by the Baptist
preacher Nelson 20 clear and burn
brush. Such a day as yesterday-hot,
with gale resembling simeon might
we'll be chosen by child or a lunatic
for clearing or burning new ground, but
the expouuder Of the faith 10 his flock
could not perceive that:
Evil Is wrought by want Of thought,
AS we'll as want u heart "
OF course it was useless in the face
Of such a wind to attempt to fight the
fire in order TO subdue it. 1t required
heroic efforts on the part Of Mr.. Marsh g
neighbors 90 save his buildings, but
they did just what the Westerners do
when the prairies are swept By lurid
fame, made "oounter-fre," TO
save their homes. II carelessness and
indifference were placed in the
category Of "crime," probably these
seemingly irresponsible agents Of so
much mischief and trouble 90 the whole
country would learn ct length, through
fear Of fines and other punishment, 10
be more thHughtful But whether the
perpetrator be white or black, II he
originates a destructive fire by burning
trash or brush on a windy day. the act
should be made punishable by law.
Mr.. Marsh's loss is heavy a fine lot Of
beautiful trees now smouldering; much
fencing and rails, ready for fencing,
were destroyed His wife. just reoov-
ering from the grip" attempted to
get supper for those who went to their
aid. and one Of her fair neiRhbors, Miss
Lillian Downing, daughter Of the late
Judge Downing. very nobly went to her
assistance, rolled up her sleeves. and, as
one Of the boys expressed it, "just
pitched in and helped" o, our Lam
caster girls are possessed of the true
grit.
A FIRE in Olsyton's woods destroyed a
hundred cords of wood last week, but
we did not learn how 1t originated.
The pretty humming birds and lettuce
birds have come, and are quivering
among the butter-cups and dandelions.
There are few who are aware that the
latter are cultivated in portions Of South.
ern Europe, and it Is said make nice dish
boiled as greens. why the word was de-
rived from the French Dent-de.lion, "
or the lions tooth we cannot tell, unless
the petals Of the pretty yellow flower
resemble the lions tooth, or perhaps
that carniyorous animal likes a change
of diet occasionally and grazcs upon
them. The leaf of the plant. when
cultivated, grows large aud very ten
der, beautifully pointed like the teeth
of a saw.
Mrs James Garter is still at the
Garfield Hospital, in Washington. She
10 weak and too feeble TO. return home
vet. but when she comes her niece,
Mrs. Mary Watson. will accompany
her.
Lancaster o. H. is looking up Xii.
marnock got ahead Of her in that pri'
vate bank concern, but new store has
been recently opened here BY a new
corner named Whitaker. Then, the
Masons are erecting new building on
the site Of the old Masonic Lodge for
Law. office for the Greshams. whose ole
office was In one of the rooms OF the
lodge, which was burned down nearly
two years ago. It can boast OF two
hotels now. and the rectory will moi
long remain vacant.
DIR. Gorgas, WITH his wife, was seer
in the large courtroom few days ago
sdmiriug the array of pictures which
adorn its walls. He has returned TO hi
home now in Baltimore. He thought
the village had much improved sinc'
his last visit 60 the county. He Is tn
son Of the late DR.. Gorgas, Of Balti
more, and owner Of Level Fields,
once the home of Rev DR.. Dunnaway
Mr.. VIM. E. Webb superintends thi
lively estate. and for several years be-
been very successful.
Mr.. VIM. Chiffon, clerk OF courts
met with serious mishap lately b.
falling and sprainiug his ankle. H
has suffered much pain and is still
confined to his bed
Mr.. E J. Garter, near Rohobotl
church, lost a little son last Monday
from ipflAmmAtory rheumatism. Baria
in Kilmsrnock church cemetery, Rev
+. W. Olsybrook officiating
Mr.. Russell Gresham is expected
visit his home at Plein-View ia July
He seems to beplehsed with Louisville
and will return 20 Kentucky after
two weeks sojourn with his parents
His slster.in law, Mrs. Samuel 0re'
ham, will probably accompany him
The activity Of Vesuvius Is becom
iDg more formidable, and TIE obserya
tory officials announce that the -seii
mic instruments are extremely agisa
q