Smyrna times., 1905-10-25
DISASTROUS FIRE VISITS
CLAYTON'S LUMBER YARD
WARNER AND BLAIRS ESTABLISHMENT
WIPED OUT FRIDAY NIGHT, $4,000 LOSS
Residence Of Jehn Simpler Also Falls Easy
Prey to FIames-Esstern Portion of the
Town Threatened With Destruction.

ReSidence OF Jenn SImpier Also rails Easy
Prev to FIames-Eastern Portion of the
Town Threatened With Destruction.
Claytonhad "a most miraculous es-
cape from disastrous fire Friday night
when the lumber and milling estab-
lishment of Warner & Blair burned
down, entsiling a loss of betw cen $4,000
and $4,000 and the Mcguire residence
tenanted by John Simpler was con-
sumed. entailing loss on house and
contents Of nearly $1,000. A strong
northwest wind was blowing at the
time and had 1t not been for the fact
that the rain of few hours previous
had left the roofs damp there is moth
ing that would have saved the whole
eastern part of the town from destruc-
tion. The Firemen of Clayton, assis-
ted by the Hose Company of Smyrna,
fought valiantly even when the pres
sure of water from the Railroad Tank
house was insufficient to throw a stream
any considerable distance. By direct
ing attention to nearby dwellings, they
we're able to keep the fire from spread
ing. 1t looked at one time as if Pat
rick and Edward Maguire's residence
and W. G. Hills grsinery would go,
but close vigilance and persistent fight
ing was the only thing that saved
them. At the time Mr.. Hill had over
$4,000 worth of grain stored for ship
ment.
Fire Discovered 10 Warehouse 6. 80 O'clock.
1t was about 6 80 o'clock when Ollie
Pryor, living in the rear of Warner &
Blair's lumber yard, discovered the
fire in the second story of the ware
house and carpenter shop. Rushing
out he gave the alarm. With the
assistance of others he got the two
horses out of the stable, and endeav-
ored to save some of the Office furni-
ture and papers. The alarm spread
rapidly and the Clayton Fire Com
pany was soon on hand. The Office
phone was used in notifying Mr.. War
ner and word was sent to Mr.. Blair.
Il was but a short space of time before
the whole establishment was in flames
and huge sparks were carried over the
town by the high northwest winds.
The situation looked precarious. Word
was despatched to the Smyrna Hose
Company, who with their hook ano
ladder equipments appeared promptly
to the aid of Clayton. Dover and Will
mington held in readiness to send aiC
on moments notice. The fire rageC
in fury, accelerated by the explosion
in the oil rooms which fed the fire t.
an intense heat. The warehouse, office
carpentar shop, millhouse, stable
machine shed and lumber sheds, on
by one fell an easy prey to the flames
Fire Spreads Across to SimpIsr's Resldenc'
Piles of valuable lumber and mi
work were consumed. Directly, tn
fire carried by the stiff gale, spread
the property across the street wher
John Simpler resided. This proved
regular tinder box and hardly befoi
anything could be saved the buildin
and contents were in ruins. The ne,
residence in line was the residence
Edward and Patrick Mcguire.
stream was kept constantly playing c
this building and aided by the fact tn
the building had recently been paint'
with asbestos paint firemen were alb
tosave it from destruction. BY this tin
the fire was gotten under control. III
fires awful glare which illumined &
heavens attracted large crowd al
Smyrnians despite the fact that tn
lived mile distant, seemed to tu
out enmasse. 1t was late in the eve
ing before the crowd broke ava
Warner & Blair place their loss
lumber and machinery at about $7,4
and buildings about $1,000 total
$4,000. On this they had total inst
ance of about $4,000. They have
decided at this writing whether th
will rebuild or not. The Magu
property was fully covered by ins
ance but John Simpler, it is said,
lose nearly everything.
Several Attempted Robberies During Fire
The origin Of the fire, it is said,
incendiary. The supposition is &
it was done by some tramps loiter
] around Clayton, for while attentl
was directed on the fire number
4 robberies and attempted robberies W
4 perpetrated, which gives rise to
opinion that it must have been a
arranged plan. During the IRE
team of Malcolm Burris was stoler
front Of Graham g store and drive
Dovar nba waa;danoa of Samuel