Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-11-14

Selby, who for many years before the
war conducted an extensive mercantile
business there, wholesale and retail.
Before the days OF the railroads goods
were shipped from here to southern and
western points. and this was one OF the
big stores of that day. The upper floor
was all in one at that time and was used
for the storage of merchandise. Later it
was divided up into living apartments.
The late William Lambright occupied the
building for some time after the war. Ia
old deeds this house was referred to as
SeIby's fire proof building, and the orig
inal slate roof upon it is remembered as
remarkably fine piece OF work.
The insurance was not. half enough to
cover the loss. E. H. Reinhart had but
81 500 on his building, and the loss will
be far above this. Remnant Bros. had
81 900 on their stock Of groceries, which
covered their loss, considering the fact
that considerable portion OF the stock
was saved. Nearly all of this insurance
was with Washington, Alexander &Cooke,
F. w. Myers, sub-agent.
On the Loyns house. which was worth
about $1,000, there was an insurance OF
81 $50 on the building, and nothing at all
on the furniture.
On the Snyder house there was an in
surance of $1,000 on the house, with
Harrison Schley. Frank L. Johnson had
an insurance OF $3.50 on the property OF
the cafe, the value of which was about
800. Mrs. Licklider had no insurance
on her household goods.
On the Entler building there was an in
surance OF $1,000, placed with F. L.
Weltzheimer. This is perhaps about one
third OF the loss. Mr.. Weltzhetmer had
no insurance on his personal effects, nor
did Miss Entler. John H. Schoppert es-
Inmates the loss on his grocery store at
about 81 500, on which there was DIN in
surance of $500.
The total loss, including the damage
done TO the property on the south side OF
the street, will be between $4,000 and
$4,000. The insurance was pretty well
divided up between the companies repre-
scented by Harrison Schley and F. L.
Weltzheimer, of Shepherdstown; Wash
ington, Alexander & Cooke, F. W. Myers,
sub-agent, and Moore & Moore, OF
Charles Town.
This was ShepherdStown'S biggest fire.
Old folks recalled time OF similar ex-
element in 1854, when the Methodist
church and the Bradshaw property were
DESTROYED. This fire occurred during a
great gale OF wind, and burning emberS
flew all over town, starting a number OF
incipient conflagrationS that were check
ed only by the hardest sort OF work and
the utmost vigilance. Double lines OF
women were formed between the burn
ing buildings and the town run, and with
great speed full buckets OF water were
passed along one line and the empty
buckets returned by the other. The an
Gent fire engine that was the predeceS-
sor of the hand engine that served until
we got our steamer, was the sole protec-
ton OF the town, aside from the bucket
brigade, and it did its most valiant duty
on that OCCASION.
Considering the seriousness ofthe con-
flagration Friday morning, the people
showed great calmness. There was no
undue excitement, and no foolish de-
struction OF property such as we have
sometimes seen at fire. Energetic
workers who carried goods from the
burning buildings were very careful, and
while the men fighting the fire were
daring and courageous, there was no i'm
proper jeopardy OF life or limb. Ofcourse,
some OF the women folks were terrified
and were moved to tears as they Witness
ed the fierce sweep OF the flames, but as
a rule the people kept cool and acted
with great good sense.
The disaster brought to the front, as
trouble always does in this community,
the noblest impulses of the people. Those
who had been made homeless were most
kindly taken care OF by their friends and
neighbors. Mrs. Licklider and her house
hold were in complete restitution tenn
porarily, not having sufficient clothing to
keep them comfortable during the day,
while not one article OF household iurni-
ture was served. AS soon as their plight
was made known, friends poured in liberal
supplies OF clothing and promised plenty
OF furniture as soon as they should find a
new home. Besides this, subscription
paper was passed around, and some three
hundred dollars was raised as a relief
fund for them. Generous tenders were
also made Miss Entler, who lost SO heavily
by the fire. Mrs. Licklider and her
mother and little son have rooms for the
present with Mr.. and Mrs. John {. Hotf-
man. Miss ENTER and Mr.. WeItzheimer
have been staying with Mr.. and Mrs. j.
l.. WelshanS, but will move in short
time into their house on High street.
Bright and early Monday morning h.
L. Snyder secured the services OF Mayor
Martin 10 throw down the stone walls
that were left standing in ruin, as they
were source of danger and OF no posi-
BILE use for rebuilding. Mr.. Martin d.
rected the operations OF force OF work
men and soon had them RACED and the
debris from the street and sidewalk re-
moved. Others followed the example,
and that side OF the street is once more