Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-07-25
HOME CONSUMED BY FIRE
Residence Of Mr.. Frank ,,Besiatte
Burned to the Ground.
THE ORIGIN is NOT KNOWN
Structure Was a Mass Of Flama3When Dis
coye.ed and Nearly All Of he House
TIE ORIGIN IS MOI KNOWN
lloId Effects We're Destroyed.

Hold Effects Were Destroyed.
The quietness Of this city was dis
tuhed "Wednesday about O'Clock by
the Changing Of the fire bell. which
soon caused large crowd 20 congre-
gate on the corners and others to make
their way at d rapid eafeIout North
Queen street towards the WililamsDort
nike, in which neighborhood the fire
was located. The fire started in the
two-story fame dwelling owned and
occupied by Mr. ]. Frank Besiatte. a
welt known fireman in the employe
Of the Baltimore ami Ohio railroad.
and was completely burned TO the
ground.
The building is located along the
Williamsport turnpike. few rods
north OF the rollgate and near the cor
poration limits. and the flames had
such Roadway when first noticed,
that it could not be saved. Only a
very few things were saved from the
burning building by neighbors before
the walls collapsed.
The origin of the fire is mystery
to all. bat 1t is supposed that the
flames started in the middle room on
the first floor some time after s
O'Clock. rs it was first noticed about
8 80 by the inmates of the house
directly across tho pike, who at once
started 10 try aud save some of the
household furniture, but when they
broke open the front door the entire
interior was n mass of flames and the
only Things that could be saved were
those chat were near the door, being
hazardous to enter the burning build
ing. Mr.. Besiatte can give no cause OF
the fire but is sure no one set it afre,
as thew could be easily seen by the
neighbors on the other side of the pike
and also that he has no one living in
this community who would do him
this injury
Mr. Besiatte was ont on the road
last night and all of the members of
his family were ia this city. spend
ing the evening, aud the first they
knew of the fire was the ringing of
the alarm. but then didn't think that
it was their nome and were very
much surprised when they neared
I.n, -. Il. - t. hal
cd. By the time they reached the
scene il was too late to save any,
thing ana they had to stand and see
their home along with all of their be-
longings consumed.
The alarm was sent in by some resi-
dent Of North Martinsburg. who
thought that it was inside of the CITY
MInits. Most all OF the reels respoud-
ed and some OF them went as far as
the limits, bat stopped there as it was
useless Cor them to go any further,
there being no water plugs out that
far. Some of the firemen went to the
scene. however, and lent their help.
The bright reflection was seen in
this city before the alarm was sound
ed, but all thought that it was in the
country, being straw rick. the re-
Fiction being so bright against the
skv. The first report from the fire
said that it was the barn of Mr.. Frank
Nicely, the mail man but this was
oontradicted. Some think that the
building was set ON fire from a spark
from an engine on the Cumberland
Valley railroad, as ii passed near the
house.
The school building adjoining the
building was slightly damaged, as the
wind blew the flames in that direc-
ton, ana the only thing that saved it
was that it was brick structure with
slate roof. The stable in the rear
was not damaged. although it was a
frame structure, as the sparks were
not blown in that direction.
The building was not insured and
Mr.. Besiatte estimates his loss to he
about 81 600, including building and
contents, The damage to the school
house was adjusted bythe agent o fJhe
company, Mr. Harry 5. Thompson.
in which II was insured
LOSS ADJUSTED
Tho claim ou the barn of DR.. J. =.
Garter, which was burned down near
Gerardstown about ten DAYS ago, was
adjusted yesterday in full by the com
PAW agen', NJ. Harry s. Thomp
son.
Sun SPOTS.