The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-05-12
FIRE AT NORTH EAST
M. g. Church, Double Dwelling
and Parsonage Destroyed.
DAMAGE DONE is OVER $4,000.


North East was visited by one Of the
most destructive fires in its history early
Sunday morning last. fears being enter-
tanned for time that general COM
flagration was imminent, and aid tele-
phoned for from Wilmington and
elsewhere.
in the morning in the rear of a frame
double dwelling occupied by the family of
J. T. Kenney, one side of the house being
unoccupied. The Methodist Episcopal
Parsonage, occupied by Rev. ]. p. Otis
and wife, formerly of this town, was
separated from the burning dwelling by
only few feet, narrow space inter-
vening between the parsonage and the
church edifce on the other side.
The spread of flames was so rapid that
neither family had an opportunity to save
anything, escaping in scant attire.
Rev. Otis was aroused first and looking
from his bedroom window discovered the
whole rear portion of the adjoining
dwelling to be in flames. He gave the
alarm, which was responded to by the
entire population of the town, but the only
means of fighting the fire was by bucket
brigade, as the town is without FIRE APP.
paratus of any description. The flames
communicated quickly from the double
dwelling to the parsonage. and thence to
the church, which was handsome brick
and frame structure rebuilt in roo2 at
cost of $4,000.
BY the most heroic kind of work the
brick store and dwelling building directly
to the north of the double dwelling. occu-
pied by w. ]. Cameron, was saved. al
though on fire several times. 1t was
badly damaged, however, and the store
goods injured by smoke and water. The
frame buildings to the south of the
church, owned by Miss Ida Thomas,
caught fire but were saved. A narrow
street intervenes between these buildings
and the church. In order to prevent the
spread Of flames further to the south IL
was planned to tear down one of the
houses in this row, which were all small
frame dwellings, but the fire was gotten
under control before this was done.
Word was also sent to Wilmington, and
the two fire companies that were loading
apparatus on fiat cars preparatory to the
ryn ~ M,rth Enet <,,a~ 49, Dnn~c,vt,,nnsn
railroad, returned to their quarters.
The families of Mr.. Kenney and Rev.
Mr.. Otis lost practically everything. in.
cluding clothing, the loss to the latter
being especially heavy, as he carried no
insurance, and his fine library was swept
away, together with silverware, gold
watch and all other things of value.
The church records and all the furnish
ings in the church ediice were gotten out
of the building before the roof fell in, and
were saved.
The church was valued at Gas, 900 and
was insured for $ro,o 900. The parsonage
was valued at So. 500, and an insurance
of Sc. 100 was carried on it. The double
dwelling owned by T. c. McCracken and
ami IT. Kenney was valued at $4,000
and was partially insured. The damage
to w. ]. Cameron's building and store
goods is placed at about $500. The
origin of the fire is not known.
The church, which was rebuilt in 1909,
during the pastorate of Rev. W. A. Wise.
was considered one of the .handsomest
structures in the Wilmington Conference.
The building was of brick, with belfry.
and contained large memorial windows.
Rev. Mr.. Otis. the present pastor, was
sent to North East from Greensboro, Md.
during the last session of the conference
held in Wilmington in March of this year.
The trustees will hold meeting In few
days and plans looking to the rebuilding
of the church and parsonage win be
1;dIy r,ef.ad