The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1911-07-13
DWELLING BURNED NEAR HALIFAX.
Much Walnut Timber.-HOn. E. l. Travis
For CORPORATION Commissioner.

Halifax, N. c., July 10.-On Sat
urday night about 11:3o o'clock the
residence of Mr.. Chas. E. Hargrave,
who resides two miles south Of town,
was destroyed by fire with about
half its contents. The family had
retired for the night about ten
o'clock, and were awakened by
hearing roaring sound very near
them, and upon investigation found
that the sound was issuing from the
closet, the flames having burned
through to the other room and were
reaching out for everything in sight,
the house being all timber. Owing
to no fire fighting apparatus little
could be done to extinguish the
flames, so the only thing that could
be done was to get all the goods out
of the house as speedily as possible.
Even then the building burned so
rapidly that all could not be gotten
out before the building collapsed.
The house, with the other things
lost, will amount to nearly 1000,
with no insurance.
Mr.. Hargrave states that he is
very positive that the building was
set on fire by rats, as there had been
no fire in the house during the day.
and no sign Of fire in the room from
which the fire issued except lamp
in the early part of the evening.
There is the largest quantity Of
walnut logs deposited at the freight
depot here that we have ever seen
in one place, and perhaps there could
not be gotten together quite so many
anywhere else in the state, as this
particular kind Of timber is now get
ting scarce except in certain locali-
ties. There are 1872 of them, some
of which will measure as much as as
inches in diameter. This timber was
bought from Mr.. Robt. Ransom and
stood along Roanoke river bank on
the north side, and was purchased
by Mr.. Kunce, of Emporla, Va. The
price for this kind of timber is away
up in the sky, the better quality
selling right along on board cars for
from SIS to $3.50 per hundred.
Our excellent townsman, Hon. E.
L. Travis, has been mentioned for
the position of State Corporation
Commissioner, and it is hoped that
he will be placed in the position, as
we feel that no better man can be
found in the State, and that his ca
pacity will be exerted in the fulfill
ing of it's responsible duties. Here
tofore Mr.. Travis has been very
modest in his demands, notwith-
standing the fact that he is easily
one among the best of the States
lawyers, and capable of filling almost
any position in which his friends see
fit to place him.
Mrs. Mary Ferrebee, who for some
months has been residing here with
her daughter, Mrs. John H. Fenner,
for the last few days has been very
feeble, and friends here are afraid
that her strength will finally give
way completely. Mrs. Ferrebee is
now getting along in years, and
though her health all along has been
very excellent, the time allotted her
upon earth cannot be very much
longer, owing to the long term OF
years now behind her. She has
lived very exemplary life, reared
a large family Of children who are
an honor to the State, and during
her life done large amount Of good.
The heat here for the past week
has been very intense, and there has
been much suffering on the part of
man and beast. The crops are now
suffering for rain very much, and
! unless the drought is soon broken
crops will be cut off in this section.
=
|