The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-24

he viii very probably die indeed, if he
has not already succumbed to his in
iuries.
FIERCE HEAT AND WIND.
Firemen from Portsmouth, Norfolk and
Berkeley got hose into position, but the
heat of the flames drove them back be-
fore they could approach within many
yards of the fire. To render matters all
the more hopeless terrible wind storm
swept over that portion of Norfolk coun
ty. A binding cloud of dust, sand and
grit drove hundreds of men, women an5
children in every direction, in quest OF
shelter. For nearly fifteen minutes the
wind blew at the rate of at least fifty
miles an hour. Several children were
hurled from their feet and sent rolling
across the thoroughfare. Mothers be-
came panic stricken. Hats were blown
from heads and never recovered. Present
ly a refreshing shower made its appear
ance and soon cleared up the air. In a
few minutes the breeze moderated and
veritable pandemonium resolved itself into
scene of comparative tranquility.
HOW IT BROKE OUT.
In some unaecountably way the fire
broke out about 1915 O'Clock in build
ing known as the working shop, situated
Al. |. r. 4
wooden structure was stored a large
quantity of dried lumber. Within a very
few minutes the entire building was in
flames. The wood repairing material
burned like hay. In half an hour this
wrecking shed as it was called. was fall
ing in The flames reached a height OF
at least 200 feet and reached out hun
grily on all sides. The adjoining building
was a storage house for the care of many
tons OF stationary, the supply headquart-
tons of stationery the supply headquart-
OF the country.
A MAN TERRIBLY BURNED.
James Herold, machinist, residing in
Cottage Place, rushed into the wrecking
shed when the blaze was at its height
He was at home asleep when the alarm
was sounded. Hastily dressing himself he
hurried out to save his property. Into
the building he dashed needless of the
protestations of those about him. The
burning timber fell upon his shoulder bear
ing him to the floor. The firebrand lay
across his body setting his raiment on
lives to save the maehinist and succeeded
In pulling him out into the open air. the
unfortunate man was more dead than
alive Doctors MeMurrin and Maupin,
Seaboard physicians, administered to him.
In removing his clothes. Herold's flesh fell
from his body He presented a spectacle
gruesome and shocking in the extreme
A maehinist named Penrose is reported
to have been seriously burned while at
tempting to recover his tools. 1t was
stated that he was seriously wounded by
n falling plank in addition to sustaining
internal and external injuries by fire.
THREE HUNDRED IDLE MEN.
III. Burpee a boss painter. was seriously
though not fatally cut about the head by
flying glass. Several minor cases were
reported. but on account of the lateness
of the hour and the excitement prevailing
it was impossible to arrive at full and
complete detail of facts
The wrecking shed, the stationery ware
house. the paint and oil house. office
building Of the Superintendent of Wood
Wood. a large brick building used for
the reception of passenger and sleeping
cars, in which was located the painting
shop, the carpenters and cabinet makers
shops, fifty or more box cars and eighteen
passenger coaches were burned. A great
deal of the yard track also was destroyed
The origin of the fire is not known.
Three hundred men will be thrown out
Of employment.