The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-03-07

here was totally destroyed by nre
early this morning. Where once
stood the famous hotel is now mere
smoldering heap of burning debris,
with fragments of ruined brick walls
and useless chimneys standing in the
midst.
The fire represents a property
loss of approximately $4,000, with
perhaps less than half that amount
in Insurance. The loss to the town
is far greater than the figures would
indicate. The Oregon Hotel has been
one of the towns greatest features
ever since it's establishment, and to
be deprived of it is very great loss.
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.
Origin a Mystery.
The origin of the fire is unknown.
1t was discovered about 2 o'clock
this morning, the fire alarm regis
ter shows that the first alarm was
turned in at 2:15. A negro bell
boy, Bert Lewis, was the first per-
son aware of the fire; the smoke fill
ing the downstairs corridor aroused
him. He says he tried to use the
emergency hose, but could not make
any headway against the flames, and
threw it down to arouse Proprietor
Brinson 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 pressing
club, adjoining.
Spontaneous Combustion?
Proprietor Brinson inclines to the
opinion that spontaneous combustion
may account for the fire, certain ma
terials in this room making it pos
sible for the fire to gain headway
very rapidly, if such were the case.
This room is Immediately above
the boiler room, but Mr.. Brinson 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 see what was the matter. Hearing
a noise above, he found the building
in flames overhead. The building was
enveloped in smoke and flames in an
incredibly short space of time.
Aged Guests Awakened.
Mr.. Brinson says that his first
thought was to awaken lady, Mrs.
Hewlett, of an advanced age, and
an aged couple, Mr.. and Mrs. Thorn
as, 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 going on and some
miraculous escapes were had by those
on the third floors who failed to real
ize the rapidity of the spread Of the
flames and the dangerous effects of
immense clouds of smoke rolling
through the entire building.
Drummer's Narrow Escape.
Mr.. G. Strauss, of Atlanta, we'll
known travelling man, had the closest
call of any. He was on the third floor,
took time 70 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 or 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 to
safety. Mr.. Strauss says he was
helpless and ready to drop when he
was brought out. He was in bed this
morning and very weak, but will be
himself in a day or two.
Slides Down Gutter.
Mr.. F. F. Beattie, prominent
young attorney of Greenville, escap-
ed down a gutter and lost his cloth
ing.
A. Mr.. Blaugh, of Petersburg, Va,
made a sensational jump and lost all
of his clothing and effects.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carpenter, on the
third floor, fortunately, found lad
der near their room, one discarded
by some painters, and used this to
get to the second floor. thus being
brought down safely. They barely
got out of their room before being
overcome with smoke.