Evening journal., 1912-09-12
BOLT FROM
SKY FIRES
OLD MANSION
HOICCmb Property Near New
Castle Destroyed, Causing
Loss Of $4,000
FIREMEN OF TWO
CITIES FIGHT FLAMES

Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL.
NEW CASTLE. Sept 12.-During
the electrical storm last evening
lightning struck the Thomas Holcomb
mansion at Walnut Hill between here
and Hare's Corner. The poIept~y
was destroyed. entaiiing a loss OF be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000.
From about 8 o'clock the sky for
boded a storm and following consid-
erable thunder a fierce storm broke
over this section. Amid torrents of
rain, accompanied by large hail the
lightning was severe.
The Good Will Fire Company fought
the mansion fle, the fiIemen going 10
the scene in John b. Montgomery's au-
tomobile. The Good viii chemical eu-
gine and the Reliance company's
chemical engine. the latter from Will
mington arrived soon. The ffemen
found the ouse, a stone and brick
dwelling, was doomed They succeeded
In saving the silverware and nearly
all the furniture in the lower floors
Of the house, as well as the contents
Of the valuable library. What was
saved was stored in the tenant house
or brought TO the homes of frieuds.
Miss Reba Holcomb returned home
here from Wilmington at $40 O'Clock.
and Mr.. HolcOmb had been in town at
that time and had about reached his
home when the lightning struck the
dwelling.
Peop.e from all parts Of the city
rushed 90 the scene. Farmers also
drove from miles away, anxious to
render whatever assistance they could
to save the property.
The storm in the neighborhood Of
Bear Station was severe. The big
smoke stack on the Cough tomato
cannery was blown down and went
crashing through the roof of the
/ building.
Mr.. Cough went to Wilmington last
evening to arrange for the erection Of
the stack to-day
The storm tore several trees from
! the ground and two Of them fell
across the railroad tracks north of
Bear Station. While a freight train
was proceeding between Bear Station
and New Castle the roof of one car
was blown of and several other car
roofs loosened.
During the run to the Holcomb fire
last evening the Reliance Company
of Wilmington lost cap on a wheel
of its apparatus
Samuel Toppin had a few quarts Of
milk over yesterday and drove down
to the gypsy camp to sell 1t. One
woman bought three quarts and dur
ing a wrangle over the price one ol
the little 'gyps' empied a cup Of th'
milk from Toppin's can and drank
Il. Mrs. Howard, of South Eighth
street has had trouble with the gyp-
sizes but the Dobbinsville people re-
port that the nomads cause them nj
annoyance.
New Castle hundred Republicans
will hold a mass meeting tonight in
the rooms of the New Castle Club.
Candidates for Office are expected TO
be present Much enthusiasm prevails
among the Republicans Several Pro-
gressives here said today they will
not support the state ticket but will
vote the regular ticket from Cover
nor to inspector.
The new street pavement will be
laid to a point opposite the end of the
Town Hall Citizens in general now
want removed the unsightly pole
which stands opposite the town hall
Owing to the change Of the street
crossing the big pole will be I'm the
centre of the street and an obstruc-
ton. Electricians say the two wires
can easily be placed on another pole
Residents of Delaware street, east
of Second, were greatly annoyed by
party of disorderly young people or
, Tuesday night. They came here in q
boat
Hiett Graham went TO Philadelphi;
yesterday and enlisted in the navy
l He leaves here on Monday.
Rudolph Vallette left this mornini
J, for Charlottesville, Va, where hii
= son Brice enters the University o
r. Virginia to study medicine.
K A new fence has been placed aroun'
( the grounds of the First Baptis
= / Church.
J. Mrs Elmer Whitelock an'
:, daughter Elma, Of INDIANAPOLIS, Ind
: are the guests Of Mr.. and Mrs james
|, l.. Bacon. They will go from here e
a California
e Charles Z. Megginson won severa
Y prizes at the state fair yesterday OF
his herd OF Holstein cattle.