The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-10-26

Spontaneous Combustion on Mr.. Rich
ardson's Farm.-The Belair Agis of last
week said: "a most astonishing case ofspon-
taneous combustion occurred in the barn of
Mr.. Thomas V. Richardson, situated near
Phoenix, Baltimore county, on October LIST and
itthrows considerable light on his loss by fire
about three weeks before, when the Hartford
Mutual Fire Insurance Company sustained
loss of $1,000. Mr.. Richardson now has no
doubt in his mind that this fire also originated
from spontaneous combustion.
The details of the case are given by Mr.. J.
Lawrence Mccormick, inspector for the insur-
ance company, who few days ago visited the
property looking to the adjustment OF Mr..
Richardson's loss.
1.-THE barn in question is 46 by SO feet with
an annex 30 by 40 feet and two large silos. Mr..
Richardson keeps a dairy of 80 5vws.
Entering the stable with his five mixers
about 5 A. NJ. the men saw the NOW floor,
which forms the ceiling of the stable slowly
burning (the embers just about to fall into the
stable) while it was apparent that the whole
upon the fire just after it broke into flames,
which were slow from lack of air and they
were temporarily checked.
THE home force with small army ofneigh-
bors and the volunteer chemical company,
who were quickly summoned by telephone,
then began to throw out the hay, having open-
ed section in the side of the barn. and every
thing portable was removed from the building
The huge NOW, 20 by 46 feet, had been filled
with hay which settled till it was IS feet deep,
the grass-a cone bination of alsyke and timo-
thy-having been stored during the last week
in June. For the first time in years Mr.. Rich
ardson had not put salt on his green hay when
stored in the NOW.
abundance of water was literally used on
the slowly burning mass which made the
steamy heat something terrific, yet the heroic
crowd continued in their labors until the whole
forty tons had been thrown from the NOW and
the barn saved. As the wet but burning hay
was exposed to the air it would frequently
break out into flames, which were promptly
drowned by a flood of water. Some of the
charred hay is now on exhibition at the insur-
ance office in Beair. 1t consists of short black
crisp chips with practically all of the body
burnt out of them and smells like NOW burnt
silage. All the hay was destroyed except few
tons.
ut seems almost miraculous that this
valuable barn, filled with hay and grain,
should have been saved from destruction, but
we are assured that Mr.. Richardson and his
helpers are not anxious to prove that they can
again duplicate their success as fire.fghters."
Circuit Court.-George w. Walther & Co.
vs.. Henry A. Parr; judgment for plaintiff for
$347.91.
John ]. Lissner VS.. August R. Hitchcock
and Henry w. r. Hitchcock, CO partners trad
ing as A. R. Hitchcock & Bro. judgment for
plaintiff for s125.
Addison II. Clarke. trading as William Writ
Clarke & Son, VS.. r. E. Lee Bosley verdict
for S150.19.
State of Maryland, use of Annie E. Kidd,
widow, and Leroy N. Kidd, Lawrence E. Kidd
and Annie E. Kidd, infant children of Leroy
N. Kidd, deceased, VS.. the Rockdale Powder
and Dynamite Company verdict and judy
ment for $3.50 (S137 so for each plaintiff).
State of Maryland, use John L. Krebs, father
of Allen Krebs, deceased, vs.. the Rockdale
Powder and Dynamite Company verdict and
judgment for $3.50.
G. Elmer Wampler vs.. ]. Hinkle Wisner;
verdict for defendant.
OIL Spoiled the Spring.-On Tuesday Col.
D. G. Mcintosh attorney for Mr.. John s.
Royston, filed a suit in the Circuit Court here
against the Standard Oil Company, claiming
81, 900 damages for alleged trespass. The dec
laration states that a wagon load of oil belong
ing to the company upset near spring on
the property of Mr.. Royston, which caused the
water to be polluted.
THE REPUBLICANS of Baltimore county have
ticket composed ofreputable citizens and they
should vote it solid on the 9th of November.