The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-27
INVESTIGATES RECENT FIRES.
BurninEs at Grimesland
the Methodist ParsonaseTChanEes
in Public School Law-Time for
Funding the State Debt Extended.
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, n. c., February %.

1SoASA5A, - 10
Fire early this morning destroyed
the Methodist District Parsonage here,
occupied by Rev. DR.. ]. P. Gibbs. The
building was worth about $4,000 and
was insured.
Only two weeks of the legislative ses-
sion now remains. 1t is understood
that it will practically end on the 7th.
The supreme court devotes this week
to fourth district appeals.
The changes to be made in the public
school law are all agreed upon. The
officials say that while they are quite
numerous they are of a minor char
acter.
Attorney General Gilmer left YES
terday for Washington, in order to APP
pear before the United States supreme
court.
There was a singular occurrence at
Garysburg yesterday. A passenger
train on its way to Raleigh was pass
ing that place when it was discovered
a church roof WAS on fire, the congre-
CATION knowing nothing whatever of
it. Conductor Cain, stopped the train
and Informed the congregation of the
fire, when all hands turned out to ex-
tinguish it.
Among today's arrivals were n. A.
Sinclair, Fayetteville; j. r. B. Cara
way T. w. Dewey. New Bern: }.
Laughinghouse, Pitt county.
Chief Clerk Milton. of the Insurance
Commissioners department has re-
turned after having investigated the
lncendiary fires at Grimesland. He
said he found hat fire was discovered
in the second story of store in which
were several hundred bundles of fod-
der. and he has full belief Of its in
nenGJarv nrioin Hn save tho nnnn1a
no lost property by the fire are in a
bad fix. Proctor Brothers lost goods
worth $4,000 and has only $4,000 in
surance. \ year or so G their prop
erty was burned. with little insurance.
The man suspected of setting his store
on fire was directly charged with that
offense by the elder Proctor, and has
said he would sue the latter for Gland
der. Mr.. Milton also Investigated the
incendiary fire at Williamson and says
a tobacco house was burned to get the
insurance; that the tobacco was moved
out the day before the fire and sold at
a warehouse. He has advised the in
surance adjuster not to a the in
surance until the insurance commits
sioner acts on the matter. Mr.. Milton
says the case is a clear one, and he
was on the point Of having an arrest
made, but decided to let the insur-
ance companies act in the matter. Mr..
O1llloll soy lHC a dOllS ny iooI
weeks cyclone in that part of North
Carolina is %frightful. He saw wrecked
houses. forests uprooted and noticed
one large building turned entirely
around. He heard a great deal of talk
about the storm damage.
State Treasurer Lacy said today that
the time for funding the state debt has
been extended to January 1st. 1905. He
said it would take about s212. 900 in
new bonds to fund what remains of
the Did bonds outstanding. He does not
know where any of the latter are, ex-
cept $3.50. 900 which Chatter & Co, Of
New York. say thev have. these bonds
being redeemab BILE at % per cent. on
the dollar. The Charters claim they
have had these bonds since about 1858.
A lot of the bonds outstanding are of
the issue Of 1852 in aid of the Will
mington, Charlotte and Rutherford
railway.
Treasurer Lacy was asked whether
he locked for any great increase Of
state revenue from the revenue act as
drafted, and replied thet he did not.
and that the state would have to get
more taxes from an increased assess
ment if at all