The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-22
DIED AMIDST FLAMES
Terrific Fire at Hamlet Des-
troys Valuable Property
Young Man Burned to Death. Cotton Compress
and Ice Plant Destroyed, The Total
Loss Being About $225, 900.


The flames did fearful work at Hamlet
Sunday, not alone destroying hundreds OF
thousands of dollars worth of property
but burning to death a prominent young
man who was heroically endeavoring to
protect the property of the firm of which
he was the book keeper.
1t was about twelve o'clock in the
day when fire was discovered at the cot
ton compress. 1t spread rapidly though
the only two men at hand fought it Wig
orously. 1t is not known how the fire
originated, but it is thought it came
from shifting engine, as there had been
no fire in the building since one o'clock
yesterday. 1t was discovered near the
railroad side of the plant by the watch
man, Mr.. Gibson, of Hamlet. He imme-
diately used the buckets of water placed
about the building to use in such emer-
gencies. Mr.. ]. NJ Wilson, the book
keeper, who was in the building, came to
his assistance and making hose connec-
ton with the water supply played on the
flames. These gathered in volume with
incredible rapidity and Waterman Gibson,
seeing the danger, called to Mr.. Wilson
to give it up and run.
Gibson managed to escape through the
office window, which was raised. Wilson
was evidently overcome by the flames and
smoke and did not get away in time It
was known that he was in the burning
building, but the people on the outside
were not able to reach him, and he was
burned to death.
1t was not until the flames had some
what subsidized, and this was after five
o'clock in the afternoon, that the unfor-
tunate young mans body was found near
the office door, and it is judged he was
trying to save the books, which were
entirely destroyed. The fire had burnt off
his head and legs while his arms and part
of his shoulders had also gone. There
was nothing left but a charred hulk, and
that was identified by means of a watch,
a belt buckle, and bunch of keys known
to be Wilson's.
The damage to the property was enor-
nous. The fire destroyed the cotton com
press, between 270 and 300 bales of cot
ton, the majority of which was the prop
erty of Chas r. Johnson & Co., one of
the largest ice plants in the State and
a very large quantity of burlaps and bag
ging The loss in money is estimated al
about $225, 900. The cotton compress,
which was being operated under Mr..
Charles E. Johnson & Co., of this city,
was the property of the Seaboard Air
Line. 1t covered about five acres of
land and has been doing a large business,
about forty-five people being employed
Small facilities for fighting the fire
handicapped all efforts to save it. The
car shed and a number of cars on side
tracks were in danger, but the railroad
people by means of engines and bucket
brigade saved these except six empty
cars which were at the cotton compress
platform.
Mr.. Wilson had only gone to Hamlet
at the beginning of this cotton season.
He was a son of the late James Wilson.
of GAINESVILLE, Georgia, and a nephew of
Mrs. Charles E. Johnson, of Raleigh.
He was of North Carolina stock, his
grandfather having been the late Harvey
Wilson, of Charlotte, where his uncle,
Mr.. Geo. E. Wilson, now lives. He was
about "a years old and was an admirable
young man. whose untimely death will be
mourned by large circle of friends in
North Carolina and Georgia. His body
GAINESVILLE, Ga.
The ice plant was valued at $4,000 and
was insured for $4,000. 1t was owned
by the Hamlet Ice Company. of which
Mr.. Charles E. Johnson, of this city, was
vice president. 1t has not yet been de-
termined whether the cotton compress
and the ice plant will be rebuilt. It has
been suggested that the Seaboard Air
Line compress now in Raleigh and I'M
used will be moved to Hamlet
Mr.. Charles E. Johnson was informed
shortly before train time Sunday after
noon that the compress was on fire. He
hurried to the depot and during the trip
to Hamlet learned of the extent of the
damage and of Mr.. Wilson's death. He
says the loss is total and it is under
stood that all the property was insured.
though the amount is not known.