Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-12-19

4 Fire Cou,psny has had TO cope with
ssdncsdlto ashes last Sunday morn
ing the property known ~ Baker,
mill, its oontents, aud small ware
houss not many yards distant, al
ksisnated on the East side of the N.
/ &. w. Railway track, opposite the
depot s1eE Rts Bias assees So, {
The mill building was occupied by
Mr.. H. w. Baker, its owner, ~ Q
/ grist and saw mill, which were op.
erxted by Mr.. VIM. tElses, and also
the BerryyilIe Creamery aud the ice
cream factory, owned by Mr.. G. p.
Howell, were beneath the same roof
and are part of the ruins. The
small warehouse, about Is ysrds
north of the mill building, wst
owned BY Smith & Baker. and ia it
was quantity of bailed straw, which
wAs so badly damaged as to be un-
marketable. This building was
burned nearly to the ground. Mr..
Bakers loss is very-heavy, he having
no insurance on his property, and in
eludes the building, 3 complete saw
and grist mill outfit, and engine ag-
gregating over $4,000. Mr.. HOwell's
loss was partially covered by insur-
suce, there being 81 200 on his prop
erty and consists of complete
creamery plant aud power ice cream
outfit, aud about 1000 pounds of
butter which he had been holding
for higher market. HE loss
amounts to about 81. 500, besides all
the evidences of his business we're
consumed by the flames. Inclnd.
ing Smith 4 Bakers loss the the to
isl damage will be Hbout 81, 900.
This amount will be greatly aug
mented, when il Is taken into con
sideraLiou the suspension of the
creamery and mill business. which
were the means of placing much
money in circulation among the peo-
pie of the section. Il is hoped, how
ever, that steps will be soon taken to
resume THE business.
The tire was discovered by Mr.. G..
p. Howell, who was awakened by the
kicking of the horses in Mr.. j. W.
Barringer's stable, some yards South
of the mill. that had been frieghten-
ed by the flames. The flames were
then eating their way through the
roof Of the engine house, where it is
evident the fire originated. Mr.. How
ell quickly gave the alarm, and the
fire company and large number of
citizens hastened to the scene. Be-
fore the fire company began opera
lions the mill property was far be.
yond saving, and the small warehouse
Was mass of flames. The compa-
ny's work was greatly hindered by
pieces of guano sack, placed in the
fire plug, and in order to remove the
distinctions the water had to be cut
of and much time consequently lost.
The streams Of water were turned
upon the nearby property, which
were thoroughly soaked, and then APP.
piled to the flames. The effect Of
the two strong streams of water mp
on the flames were at once noticea.
bic, and before many minutes the
fire was within easy control. The
coal sheds of Smith & Bakers
caught several times and were
slightly damaged in spite of the large
quantity Of water thrown upon them.
The elevator Of the BsrryvilIs Mill
ing Co., and the freight depot, sit
uated scrOss the track, we're at times
deluged with flying burning embers,
carried By the Sauth wind, but were
not damaged owing to the quick aC-
tiOn Of the fire company. s.a
A belief gained credence here
through the finding of pieces of qua
no 'ssck in the fire plugs that the
fire was Of incendiary origin. This
superstition is however disapated by
the fact that the mill building is Il
dry frame structure, and twice before
Ores have destroyed the same kind of
snildiugs on the same site--in 1873
sad 1879. Besides the parties inter.
ssted in the property destroyed are
popular men, and there il no one liv-
ing known to have harbored such
harsh feelings against either of
f00n1. Whan kho -, a.. Il e. A. In