The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-03-08
BIG FIRE In WAYNESBORO.
MORE THAN 100000 WORTH OF PROP
ERTY DESTROYED ON FRIDAY
MORNING LAST.


IN tne cellar OF Jne WOll OuSlueSS
block on Main street east of the
diamond and which began short
ly after O'Clock this morning
proved oneof the most disastrous
in the history of the town.
Charred walls, streets strewn
with blackened embers and fire
men nearly worn out by constant
vigil bear witness to the early
morning conhagration. Itseems
remarkable thatagreater amount
of property was not destroyed
when it is taken into considera-
ton that fierce wind was blow
ing when the fire started and
that it continued while the fire
men were at work. The energy
of the firemen and the co-Opera-
ton of the citizens, however,
combined to avert a more disas-
trous catastrophe.
Roofs that were dampened by
the heavy rain of the previous
night seemed proof against the
onslaught of flame. This, in
brief, tells the story Of a fire that
seriously alarmed the citizens of
this town and resulted in calling
to their aid, for fear of more SER
ious result, the Chambersburg
fire department.
1t was probably ten minutes
past one o'clock when the alarm
was sounded. Smoke had been
observed issuing from the chin
neys of the Wolf building. There
are six of these chimneys and
the person who discovered the
fire concluded that smoke pour
ing from six chimneys after mid
night was unusual. j. Mac
Wolff, who has bachelor apart
ments on the third floor, awaken
ed to find his room filled with
smoke and he sent in an alarm.
The firemen quickly responded.
When they arrived they could
see no flame. Suddenly, while
they were wondering what to do
and endeavOring to ascertain
what portion of the building was
most in danger, the flames burst
through one of the big show win
dowS. Tho tiremen Immediately
got to work, breaking open the
doors leading to the basement of
the building and placing streams
where flame shot forth. The
fire had been smouldering long
before the alarm was sent in and
it was evident that the Wolff
block was doomed.
Once the fire got headway it
spread rapidly, the high wind
tanning the flames and sending
burning material in all directions.
The tiremen knew they had a
hard battle ahead and labored
valiantly to save adjoining prop
erty. The building of DR.. j. f.
Branisholts adjoins the Wolff
block and it was but a short
time until sparks from the burn
ing block ignited this property.
1t is SO badly burned that it will
have to be rebuilt. These were
the only buildings totally ruined,
although the fire spread to the
building adjoining the Branis-
holts property, owned by John
Hicks. The fire was still smoul-
dering in this building at noon
and the tiremen were watchful
as to the ruins of the Wolff block
lest the debris would burst into
flame and menace additional
| property.
The loss to the Branisholts
building is estimated at $4,000,
DR., Branisholts will rebuild. The
Wolff Bros. were uncertain this
afternoon whether they would re-
build on the old site.
On the first floor of the Wolff
block was the grocery store of
Cecil G. McKowu. This was
entirely destroyed, entailing Il
loss of $1,000. Mr., McKown is a
son-in-law of Mr.. Wolff.
On the same hoor was the
clothing establishment Of j. Har-
ry Slime, alsocompletely destroy
ed. The loss to this store is es-
timated at $4,000. The carpet
store of j. p. and j. Mac Wolff