The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-04-26
SPARTAN INN BURNS.
Sixty Guests in Hotel Make Their
Escape-One Has to Use
Ladder.

! Spartanburg, April 22.-The Spar
tan Inn was destroyed by fire at an
early hour this morning, the loss be-
ing $95,l0O, with insurance of Sl2,-
100. The building was erected in
1875 and was owned by the Mer-
chants Hotel company, of which
concern j. B. Cleveland owned two
; thirds Of the stock and Judge George
". Nichols the other third.
There we're 90 guests in the hotel
and all escaped safely. One man
whose identity is unknown was tax
en- from third story window by
the use of ladders.
The fire was confined to the inn
block by heroic effort and for a time
! it looked as though greater damage
would be done.
The fire originated in R. O. Pick
ems tin shop, occupying one of the
store-rooms under the hotel, and
when discovered was well under way,
it being realized almost from the be-
ginning that the whole property
would be destroyed. While the hotel
was owned by the company named
allowed, several Of the stores beneath
it were owned by other parties, these
being S. B. Ezell, Elisha Bomar and
p. B. LanRord.
The heaviest losers were Messrs.
John B. Cleveland and Geo. W.
Nichols, owners Of the hotel build
ing. They did not carry a cent Of
insurance, the rate being too high
for them.
The next heaviest loser was Joe
Johnson, proprietor of the Spartan
inn, who lost the greater portion Of
ais furniture and household effects,
on which he carried but little over
$500 insurance. Mr.. johnson stated
that his loss above insurance would
be $4,000. S. B. Ezell, proprietor
of Ezell's Hardware store, P. B.
Lankford and Elisha Bomar owned
the stores on the lower floor. in the
eastern wing Of the building. Each
| Of these stores was insured. The
store rooms in the west wing Of the
building were owned by John B.
cleveland. Landlords store was
occupied by Johnson's Paint and
Paper company. Mr.. johnson, who
is newcomer to the city, did not
carry a cent Of insurance. S. B.
EzellIs stock of hardware suffered
considerable damage, but was insur-
ed.
The Spartan Furniture company's
loss was small, covered by insurance.
R. O. Piekens, the tinner and
sheet metal worker, lost practically
all of his stock, which was only par
TALLY insured. He stated that his
loss would amount to about $4,000.
The following is statement Of the
loss and insurance on the property
destroyed in the Spartan inn fire,
; which is believed to be correct:
Gross Loss, Spartan inn, 100000;
S. B. Ezell, $4,000; Joe Johnson,
| $4,000; R. 0. Pickens, $1,000;
Elisha Bomar, $500; P. B. Lank-
ford, $4,000; Spartan Furniture
company, $4,000; F. M. Johnson,
$1,000; F. L. Lilies, 5000; J. ".
Allen, 5000; total, $95,100.
On this total loss there was $12,-
! 100 insurance, as follows: A. NJ.
Law & Co., Spartan Furniture COM
pany, $500; S. B. Ezell, $1,000; P.
B. Lankford, $1,000; Joe E. John
son, $4,000; R. 0. Piekens, $1,000;
F. L. Lilies, 5000; J. W. Allen,
$20O; James Coheld G co., >. 5.
Ezell, $1,000; J. E. johnson, $500.
Elford agency, Spartan Furniture
! company, $500; R. O. Pickens, ST.
900; Elisha Bomar, $500. Scriven
! and Cleveland, R. 10. Pickens, ST.
900; Spartan Furniture company,
S50O e. Fl Carlisle Snartan E1ir-
niture company, $500. Hapghton
agency, R. O. Pickens, $500; total
insurance, $l2,1OO.
Loss not covered: Spartan inn
building, $4,000; S. B. Ezell's
hardware store, $4,000; Spartan
Furniture company, $1,000; Joe E.
Johnson, $4,000; R. O. Pickens,