The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-06
BIG FIRE IN GREENWOOD.
OREGON HOTEL DESTROYED
Loss ESTIMATED AT $4,000.
Guests Had Narrow Escape When
Well Known Hotel and Block OF
Stores Went up i'm Smoke.

were totally destroyed by fire early
this morning. Where once stood the
famous hotel is now a mere smolder-
ing heap Of burning debris with frag-
ments of ruined brick walls and use
less chimneys standing upright in the
midst
The fire represents property loss
of approximately $4,000. with per-
haps less than half that amount IN
insurance. The loss to the town IS
far greater than the figures would in
dicate. The Oregon hotel has been
one of the towns greatest features
ever since its establishment, and to
be deprived of 1t is a very great loss
indeed. Most fortunately no lives
were lost. Though some who escaped
did SO by the skin of their teeth
and with little on save their natural
skins
The origin of the fire is unknown.
II was discovered about 2 O'Clock THIS
morning: The fire alarm register
shows that the first alarm was turned
at 2:15 o'clock. A negro benboy,
Bert Lewis, was the first person
awhre OF fire. The smoke filling the
downstairs corridor aroused him.
He says he tried to use the emerg-
ency hose. but could not make any
headway against the flames. and
threw II down to arouse Mr. Brinson.
the proprietor and the guests. AT
that time the fire was in the store
room from most Of the known facts.
The fire must have started either In
this room, which is just back OF the
pool room. or in the rear Of press
ing club just adjoining.
The proprietor, H. S. Brinson. in
clines to the opinion that spon-
taneous combustion may account for
the fire. certain materials in this
room making II possible for The fire
to gain heedwax very rapidly II such
aAvterc III, I !lss> IN room e immedi-s
ately above the boiler room, but he
docs not think-in fact. ne is sure
that it did not start in the boiler
room. The negro fireman was In
the room. at the time, and says that
he ran out to SEQ what was the mat
ter. hearing a noise above. He found
the building In flames overhead. The
building was enveloped in smoke and
flames in an almost incredibly short
time.
Mr.. Brinson says that his first
thought was to awaken lady, MIS-.
Hewlett. of an advanced age and an
aged couple, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas,
both rather feeble. Those on the
second floor were gotten out but lost
all their effects. Both Mrs. Hewlett
and Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas are from
New Jersey, and have been spending
the winter here. Meanwhile the
work of arousing the guests was 60
ing on, and some miraculous escapes
were had by those on the third floors
who failed to realize the rapidity OF
the flames ard the dangerous effects
NJ immense clouds of smoke rolling
through the entire building. U.
Strauss of Atlanta, a well known
travelling man, had the closest call OF
any. He was on the third floor, took
time TO dress completely. but when
he went out into the corridor he was
overcome by smoke. He did not
know which way to turn to find air
and an outlet. Rushing back into his
room, he appeared at the window
and screamed for help. Max Arnold
OF Greenwood saw his plight, made
his way up the fire escape into the
room and practically carried him out
and brought him down the escape 10
safety. Mr.. Strauss says he was
HELPLESS and ready to drop when he
was brought out. He was in bed TINS
morning and very weak. but VIII be
himself in a day or two.
F. F. Beattie. prominent young
attorney Of Greenville. escaped down
a gutter but lost his clothing. MT
Blaugh of Petersburg. Va, MADE a
sensational jump but lost all MS
clothing and effects. Mr.. and Mrs
Carpenter, on the third floor Tor
tunately found l7dder near their
room one discarded by some painters
and used this to get to the secohu
floor. thus being brought down saie-
". They barely got out of their room
before being overcome with smoke'
M lives were lost. though all the
quests lost their clothing and pag-
gage IT was fierce fire from the