The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-03-30
A Midnight Fire.
BIG LOSS, LITTLE INSURANCE
Heroic Work by All.

March 70, the peaceful sleep of Scot
land Neck was rudely broken by
the alarm of fire. Some one about the
telephone exchange discovered the fire
and gave the alarm, and soon two ex-
p'oslons In quick succession aided in
awaking the people. The fire was on
the west side of Main street In front of
the post-office, and some who were on
the scene soon after the alarm was
given say that the fire started in the
upper room OF the building occupied
by j. D. Hill as a beef market. No
matter where it started, it ended in an
hour with the complete destruction OF
the entire block of buildings between
n. B. Jokev's corner and the Main
street hotel, Josey's and the hotel be-
ing untouched by the flames.
1t was at once evident that no part
of the row of buildings could be saved
for they were in solid continuity save
one narrow alley less than ten feet
wide. The main attention of the fire
brigade, which was ma!e up of every
body generally, was to stay the flames
from crossing to Blggs & Johnson's
stables. By heroic work this was par
TALLY affected, one mule stable being
burned. Had the stables OF B,ggs &
Johnson burned it would have been
impossible to save the law Office of w.
A. Dunn and the residence of w. H
Josey and In all probability the resi- :
dence of G. Hoffman and the Metho-
dist church would have been burned.
The buildings consumed were the
office OF Briggs & johnson, and their
store occupied by Wilson Allsbrook, a
she'd occupied by R. E. Alligood for
sewing machines, J e. Lewis store &C.
curied by A. G. Peterson, small store
room of L. r. Carter not occupied :;
empty store OF J. W. Madry, recently
occupied by A. G. Peterson shoe shop
OF B. R. Joyner, shoe shop OF John
Robinson, co!ored beef market occu-
pied by J. d. Hill, colored, and build
ing of Mrs. Cherry occupied by Albert
Hi, colored.
The estimated loss is between $4,000
and $4,000: Biggs & johnson, Office,
store and stables, $4,000 with no In
surance; Wilson Allsbrook, stock of
goods all saved R. E. Aillgood's ma
chimes ali lost, no insurance, and value
not known; J. E. Lewis store build
ing, value not known, with $500 insur-
ance A. G. Peterson's stock of goods
worth 81 800 to 81 800, practically all
lost with no insurance l.. R. Carter,
small building, value not known, no
insurance J. w. Madry's store, value
not known, with no insurance 3. r..
Joyner, shoe shop, all lost together
with Ills clothes and some money !;
J. D. Hills beet market, value OF
building not known, no insurance !;
butchers tools, store, sewing machine
and other things to the value OF $500
or $4OO-all lost Cherrv building,
value not known, and no insurance.
The town turned out to the fire and
all did good work and alter the fire
was all over the talk was general that
the colored people did most excellent
work which entitled them to special
praise.
All the buildings that were de-
stroyed were old except the stables of
Briggs e. johnson, and most Of them
we're unsigh,ly ard had been called
"fire traps" Many times had it been
predicted that they would tie tie cause
of a prea- fire in Scotland Neck some
day. And while much sympathy is
felt for those who lost heavily, it was
said next day that the fire had made
a great Improvement to that part of
the town.
By the laws of Scotland Neck no
wooden buildings can be erected III
the burnt district so whatever build
ings that may be erected there will be
of brick. 1t is thought that several
new buildings will be erected and some
! Of the m this year.
Mr.. Aisbrook saved his stock Of
goods aud SON opened up in his old
store where invent, five years ago he
sod goods, on tie corner two blocks
south It the fire. He is moving his
goods to-day to the store room occupied
by G. W., Bryan & Co, ON the corner
under the old temperance hall, and Mr..
BRYAN has moved to room in the
brick hotel. Mr.. T rson has
opeued IN the building last year occu-
pied by Evans bar, and Mr. Joyner
has secured place to open his shoe
shoD near the building now occupied
by Mr.. Peterson
Kodlol DYSPEPSIA Cure