Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-20
A LIFE LOST
IN BERLIN FIRE
The Park Hotel, Berlin, Burned
To The Ground, and Mr.. 7.
PdImatOry a Victim.

The Park Hotel, Berlin. one of the
best-known hotels on the Eastern Shore.
was destroyed by fire early Sunday
morning, causing the loss of one life.
and destroying property to the value of
$l2. 500. covered by IS, 500 insurance.
Theodore NJ. Palmatory. guest, was
killed, Arthur l.. Godfrey. clerk at the
hotel. and John Burbage, fireman.
were injured.
Thomas 7. Savage, proprietor. his
wife and daughter. Miss Ryda Savage:
X. J. Massey, Arthur l.. Godfrey. and
Daniel James. statesmen of Baltimore,
were compelled to leave in their night
clothes. saving none Of their belongings,
and barely escaped with their lives. some
of the occupants having to jump from
the second and third story windows to
the ground.
Theodore NJ. Palmatory was sleeping
on the third floor back, and it is sup
posed. while trying to leave the burn
ing building. he was overcome by
smoke. His charred body was recovered
by Fire Chief Purnell in the ruins Sun
day morning in sitting position.
1t is owing to the bravery Of Horace
F. Harmonson. ex-state game warden.
that the survivors owe their lives. The
fire was discovered about o'clock by
Miss Mary Anderson, one of Berlin's
Oldest residents. who makes her home
at the Atlantic Hotel. She gave the
alarm to Mr.. Harmonson. proprietor of
the Atlantic Hotel. which is only short
distance away, and in his night dress,
followed by Edgar Child. he ran
across the street to the Park Hotel.
broke open the door and gave the alarm
of fire to the occupants, who were asleep.
The entire household would have met
death had not the fire been discovered
as soon as it was. At one time it looked
as though the best part of Berlin would
be destroyed. as the Park Hotel is To-
Gated in the most thickly settled part Of
the business section.
When the fire was at its height it was
, discovered that one of the guests could
not be accounted for. A search was at
once made by the residents and mem
bers of the Volunteer Fire Department,
who risked their lives to reach the room
of Mr.. Palmatory. 1t was not until af-
ter the flames had died away that the
true facts were learned.
Mr.. Palmatory was about seventy-two
years of age. and for thirty years was
one of Berlin's most respected citizens.
II is supposed that when the cry of fire
was gwen Mr.. Palmatory. who has not
been in good health for some time, was
excited and became overcome in his eff
forts to make his escape. Mr.. Palma.
tory was a man of considerable means,
and had lived at the Park Hotel ever
since the death of his second wife. four
years ago. Up until ten years ago he
was agent of the Baltimore. Chesa-
peake and Atlantic Railroad. at Berlin.
and cashier of the l.. l.. Dirickson Bank
| ing Company. He was a prominent
Mason. and took an active part in Re-
publican politics.
Owing to the town having a water
supply. and the good work of the Vol
unteer firemen. assisted by the citizens
and merchants, the south end and BUSH
ness section was saved.
John Burbage. one of the volunteer
firemen, was severely burned during the
fire. and was given medical attention.
Daniel James arrived in town Satur-
day night and registered at the Park.
He was compelled to jump from the
second story window. and had a narrow
escape from the same fate as Mr.. Pal
matory. He came out without his
clothes. losing everything he had with
him.
Robert J. Massey. one of the Berlin
merchants, who lived at the hotel. and
Arthur L. Godfrey. the hotel clerk.
made their escape by climbing from the
third story to the second. and then jump
ing to the ground. a distance of twenty
feet. Godfrey had two hundred dollars
in his trunk, and after securing the
money he was nearly overcome by
smoke. and in his haste to leave the
burning building dropped the money.
which was lost.