The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-01
RISING FROM ASHES
GROWING IN BEAUTY
The Progressive County Seat
of Scotland.
REBUILDING The RUINS
Many Large and Handsome Brick
Buildings Going Up.
TWO NEW COTTON MILLS IN OPERATION
The New County Of Scotland Making Rapid
Strides and Her Public Buildings Will be
Among the Handsomest and Best
Arranged in the State.
Especial to News and Observer)

Arranged in the State.
Especial to News and Observer.)
Laurinburg, Scotland County, N. c., July
3d. was in Fayetteville on the 18th
instant when a telegram was received
from Laurinburg saying that the town
was burning up, and asking for assist
ance. 1t was printed in these columns
how promptly the fire compartment of
they were ready to start for the scene
of the connagration message was re-
ceived that the fire was under control and
that they need not come.
To one who knew Laurinburg and its
clever people, who for good many years
have shown this writer so many acts OF
kindness and friendship, the news of their
misfortune was shock arousing the
keenest sympathy.
In passing / may say that the fire is
believed to have been started in Mr..
McDugalds store when no one was in it
and that many think it was caused by
spontaneous combustion while others are
of the opinion that a match and rat did
the work. That it was of incendiary ORR
gin l am satisfied no one here believes.
All of the buildings burnt were business
houses and the Merchants HOTEL eleven
in all. They were located on Main street
with the exception of a livery stable
which was in the rear of the stores on
east side of Main street. The wind was
blowing from north to South when the
fire started, but shifted after burning
down the street on both sides to east.
1t is generally believed that but for this
shift and two vacant squares on either
side of the street. the entire business
part of the town would have gone despite
the gallant work done by the people in
fighting the flames.
And right here let me> beg the citizens
of Laurinburg to organize at once good
fire department, and to secure an album
dant water supply and first class fire
engine.
1t is estimated that about seventy to
seventy five thousand dollars worth of
property was consumed. Insurance $4,000
or $40 000
With that thrift and determination for
which these good Scotch people are noted
they are already hustling in preparation
to rebuild better, handsomer, larger build
u. ~
hands are cleaning up the burnt district
Lumber is being hauled and{ all other
preliminary work for rebuilding is rapidly
going forward.
BUILDINGS TO GO UP AT ONCE.
w. d. James on the west side of Main
street, three stores, 2Sx110 feet each, and
on east side two, 25xS5 feet; r. e. Lee,
two stores, one on the east side, 25xS5
feet, and one on the west side of Main
street, 22x50 feet; Mr.. d. A. McDugall
on the corner of Main and Railroad
streets, one three story and basement
building, 45xS5 feet. He will also re-
build the Merchants Hotel on the same
site it occupied before. 1t will contain
from % to 80 bed rooms besides the office,
dining room, sample rooms, and ladies
parlor; j. B. Cowen and II. O. Covington
will rebuild their store. All of these
buildings are of brick. Most of them will
be from two to three stories, few only
will be one story. it is expected they
will be completed and ready for occupan-
cy within the next sixty or ninety days
How is this for grit and enterprise?
Since my last visit here l find that
good deal has been done and is being
done that will bring Scotland county and
it's capital rapidly to the front as one
of the best counties and county seats in
the State. Though the States youngest
child Scotland is trotting along at such
a pace that good many of her
sister counties may well be envious. The
county is almost a diamond in shape and
has four townships. 1t is about 80 miles,
across, east and west, and about 20 miles
north and south. 1t contains. a popula
ton of something over 1000 of as good,
Industrious clever people as live any
where and but few Counties in this sec
tion of the State If any have better farm
ing lands and more comfortable farm
homes than Scotland.
At the last election the following eff
cient county officers were elected Clerk,
III. II. Covington register of deeds, G. H.
Russell; treasurer and sheriff, w. ID. Nc
Laurin; coroner. G. A. Roper, surveyor,
w. j. Mathews; commissioners +. B.
Gibson, chairman; Rod McRae, ]. A. Nc
Ray; board of education, w. G. Quaken-
bush, chairman; f. p. Wyche, A. f. Pat
terson.
1t has been my pleasure to know all
of these gentlemen for some years, and
/ am confident that all of the county's
public affairs will be well administered
and the interest of it's citizens closely
considered by them. The first court will
be held here next October.
There are now in course OF erection
court house, Jail and jailer's residence.
The court house will be large two story
Brick edfice with a court room on the
upper floor sufficiently large to seat from
SEQ to 600 people. Besides the two petty
jury rooms there will be on this floor
two private offices to be used by lawyers
In consultation with clients. On the
ground floor, on either side of the hall
that runs through the building there will
be seven rooms in addition to the two
vaults for the clerks and one for the