The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-03
BIG FIRE AT WAYCROSS.
The Huge McLendOn Block Damaged
About $50, ,OOO--Insured for Half
the AmOnnt.

Waycnoss, Ga. Feb. 2.--The most de-
structive fire that has visited Waycross
in several years occurred this morning,
in which several firms were burned out.
During The progress or the fire it was
reported that MIR. James satchwell. the
artist, who is known far ana wide as the
Ex-Dude, was burned up. He had
studio in the building. and while the ex-
citement was highest. made his appear
ance on the scene, putting to rest their
fears.
About 445 this morning fire was dis,
covered In the McBendon block. a large
frame structure on Plant avenue. The
building was occupied by c. Adamson's
tailor ship, Mrs X. w. Catos Waycross
Book Store Lott & Peabody's Insurance
Oifce, and Col. $. w. Hitchs law offices.
Miss Eddie Paruells millinery establish
ment, and The Murphy W hltman Furniture
ompany. In the second story was Col
j. Hin Spence's law Offices. James Satch-
wehs studio was also on this floor. The
fire department responded as promptly as
possible, but the blaze was under con.
siderable headway before a stream was
turned on For a time 1t looked as II
che entire block. comprising the large
| brick buildings, occupied by the j. G.
Humphreys clothing store, the Watt
Harley Ha DWARF Company, the big double
store of the Grace -Brantley Company, and
the First National Bank would be burn
ed. small cottage on Alice street, OPP
posite the McLendon block, narrowly
capped being consumed.
The hremen had to work hard to save
adjoining property. and did valianty.
winning encomums on ali sides. The
blaze was so hot that IL was imposslb.o
for them to remain close in for any length
of time. The hook and ladder ruck
caught fire and was consumed, together
with several sections OF hose. Many deeds
OF daring were performed by Individual
1remen. Had the flames spread to the
Watt-Harley hardware store there would
have been an explosion that would have
wrecked the entire block, as Ia contained
large quantities of powder and other ex.
p.osives. The total loss is about $4,000,
with insurance of not over half that
amount.
The building was owned by Judge War
ren Lott and Hon. s. w. Hitch. 1t was
one of che first structures erected in New
Waycross, and was valued at 1850. In
surance only $500
The Murphy-W hltman Co, was one of
the largest furniture establishments In
| South Georgia. They carried a stock
worth $1,000 every piece of which was
lost. Insurance something like $500.
Miss Eddie Parnell's loss on stock and
fixtures was $l,2O0; insurance. $500.
Mrs Cato carried about $500 worth of
books. toys. etc, all of which were de-
stroyed. Insurance. $1,000. She will inn
mediately open up new place OF busi-
ness on Mary street.
Hon, S. w. Hitch had one Of the finest
| law libraries In the state Many OF the
volumes cannot be replaced. His loss Is
fully 5000, with an insurance of 5000.
Col. j. Hill Spence's loss is estimated
at $500; insurance $500. Lott & Peabody.
insurance agents, lost all their fixtures
valued al $3.50, with no insurance Mr..
Satchwells loss is fully 5000, and no In
surance. j. c. Humphreys stock vas
damaged about $500 or $4O0 while the dam
age to the building (owned by Mrs. Red
| dluP) was i'm the neighborhood of $500.
Already there is talk of rebuilding and
plans are being discussed. 1t is more
than likely that a handsome brick block
| win soon replace the old one. The block
is in the business center Of the city, only
a snort distance from the Plant System
| depot.