The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-03-13
4 Destructive Fire.

Last lnufSQay morning dpou' Nv =
o'clock the alarm of fire was sounded, ana
it was found that the large brick store OF
DR.. J. B. Black on Main street was on
fire. This block of brick buildings con-
tains three stores: the general merchandise
store of Dr. Black, his drug store, and the
general merchandise store OF his brother,
Mr.. Thos Black, it being one OF the lars-
est and handsomest blocks IN the city.
The fire originated in the store OF DR..
Black, and it was seen at once that there
was no hope of saving the building. is
supposed the fire was of incendlary orl-
gin, and that the store was robbed before
being set, as the back door was open and
those who arrived early say the odor OF
kerosene could be plainly detected. The
whole interior of Dr. Blacks store was
mass of flames when the fire was dis
covered, and nothing could be saved from
that or the drug store. Strong efforts
were made to save the store of Mr.. Thos.
Black, while other willing hands COM
menced the work of removing his stock,
a good part Of which was saved, although
badly damaged by the hurried handling
many of the goods being piled in the cent
er of the street. Several parties narrow
ly escaped being injured when an explo-
sion occurred inside the store while they
were on the roof.
Fortunately there was but little or no
wind at the time, else considerable part
of the business portion of the town might
have been destroyed, but by bracing the
wall of Thos. Blacks store, thereby keep
ing it standing, the fire was gotten under
control when his store was burned. Then,
too. the substantial construction of the
buildings did much to prevent large con-
flagration, they being built OF brick, with
brick partitions between the stores, and
very little wood being used in their con-
struction. Both gentlemen had insurance
on building and stocks, but their losses
will be quite heavy.
DIR. B. Black had insurance on his
two stores of 1900; loss $4,000; insur-
ancc on stock Of drugs and merchandise
$4,000; loss $500. This makes his total
loss, outside of insurance, something like
$4,000. Then, too, the Doctor lost valu-
able library of books, all his fine surgical
instruments, and great many other
articles OF value, so it is safe to say that
his total loss will be at least $4,000 or
more. He had just opened the day before
81, 100 worth of new goods.
Mr.. Thos. Black had insurance on his
store of $1,4OO; loss $4,000. Insurance
on stock $4,000; loss $4,000. The stores
were insured with companies represented
here by w. P. Riley and the stocks in
those represented by G. Moye Dickinson.
The insurance adjuster for the stores was
here last week, and the losses on the
buildings have been satisfactorily adjust
ed, the full amount being paid. The loss
es on the stocks were being adjusted
Tuesday, and we have no doubt but that
the full amount of insurance carried will
be paid.
The destruction of these buildings
makes bad gap in the centre of the busl-
ness portion of the town, but it is good
news to know that these gentlemen VIII
Immediately rebuild, and it is very like
lv that the new buildings will be hand
somer than those destroyed. 1t IS pro-
bable that the new structures Will have
handsome iron and plate glass front, the
interior being fitted up in the most modern
style. ,,
The matter of inducing the Messrs.
Black to put on 4 second story, to be ht'
ted up for an opera house and lodge rooms
for the different secret societies is being
discussed by many of our citizens and II
is hoped that such inducements Will DC
offered them that they will consent TO &C
SO. The buildingis just the right SIZE fol
this. the location is the most central IL?
town, and that we need hall and neeo
it badly is a self-evident fact.
Mr. Thos. Black has moved the goods
saved from his stock into the store form
erly occupied by Mr.. +. Dickinson, while
Mr.. Dickinson has moved to the hlnaro
s Spann building, near the dispensary.