The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-03-05
FLAMES DESTROY
OREGON HOTEL
GREENWOOD SUFFERS FIRE LOSS
OF $14O,OOO.
Well known Hotel and Block Of
Stores Went Up in Smoke in
Early Hours.

Stores Went Up in Smoke in
Early Hours.
Greenwood, March 3.-The Oregon
hotel and its block of stores here were
totally destroyed by fire early this
morning. Where once stood the ia
NOUS hotel is now mere smolderlns
heap of burning debris with fragments
of ruined brick walls and useless CHIN
neys standing upright in the midst
The fire represents a property loss
of approximately $14O,OOo, with per
haps less than half that amount in
insurance. The loss to the town IS far
greater than the figures would mol
cate. The Oregon hotel has been one
of the towns greatest features ever
since it's establishment, and to be de-
privd of it 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.
Origin is Unknown.
The origin of the fire is unknown.
If 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 bellboy, Bert
Lewis. was the first person aware OF
fire. The smoke filing the down
stairs corridor aroused him. He says
he tried to use the emergency nose'
hnt could not make any headWay
against the flames, and threw It do"n
TO arouse Mr.. Brinson, the proprietor
and the guests. At that time the hre
was in the store room from most OF
the known facts. The fire must have
started either in this room, which Is
lust back of the pool room, or in the
rear of a pressing club just adjoining.
The proprietor, H J. Brinson, in
.clines to the opinion that spontaneous
combustion may account for the fire.
certain materials in this room making
it possible for the fire to gain headWay
very rapidly if such were the case
This room is Immediately above the
boiler room, but he does not think-ln
fact, he IS ure-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 almost incredibly
: short time.
Some Narrow Escapes.
Mr.. Brinson says that his first
thought was to awaken a lady, Mrs
Hewlett, of an advanced age and an
aged couple, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas,
both rather feeble. Those on the sec
ond floor were cotton out but lost al
their effects. Both Mrs. Hewlett and
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas are from New
Jersey, ard 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 tc
realize the rapidity of the flames and
the dangerous effects of immense
clouds of smoke rolling through the
entire building. G. Strauss, of Allan
ia. a we'll known travelling man, hac
the closest call of any. He was on the
third floor, took time to dress com
pletely, but when ne went out into thf
corridor he was overcome by smoke
MHe. did not know which way to tur1
to find air and an outlet. Rushing
back into his room, he appeared a
the window and screamed for help
Max Arnold, of Greenwood, saw hi:
plight, made his way up the fire es
cape into the. room and practically
carried him out and brought him dow1
the escape to safety. Mr.. Strauss say:
he was helpless and ready to drol
%hen he was brought out. He wa
in bed this morning and very weak
but will be himself in a day or two.
Guests Lose Clothing.
F. F. Beattie, a prominent youn;