The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-12-31
WILSON DIRECTS fire fight On
TIE GULF COAST
PUTS OUT BLAZING FIBE
While Returning From Golf Links
the President Catches Sight of
Blaze on Roof-Sounds Alarm and
Extinguishes Fire Before the Local
Department Arrived.

President Wilson Friday night
found himself the hero Of the gull
coast. Word spread far and wide
that the watchful eye Of the chief
executive of the United States had
spied a blaze that threatened to de-
stroy one Of the handsome homes OF
the Southern shore and that he had
acted the volunteer fire chief in a
manner that long will be remember
ed. THEM cident created stir in the
otherwise quiet life Of the gulf CSC
ton.
The president was returning from
quiet game of golf towards noon
and on passing through Gulfport,
eight miles from Pass Christian,
Miss, saw blaze on roof Of a big
house. It was the home Of John j..
H. Neville,w no won fame in 1891 by
prosecuting John L. Sullivan for a
prize fight at Richburg, Miss, with
Jake Kilrain.
Mrs. Neville, who was alone in the
building, had run to the window to
watch the president 90 by, when sud
denly two machines stopped and the
president himself alighted. Quick as
a fash he darted up the front steps,
followed by DR.. Cary T. Grayson, U.
S. n, the secret service men and
chauffeurs, who had unstrapped the
fire extinguishers from their ma
chimes and awaited the presidents
orders. Mrs. Neville was confused.
Don't be alarmed" said the presi-
dent coolly. "Your house is afre, but
the men will put it out quickly If you
will show them the way to the attic"
Mrs. Neville pointed the way up
stairs and Robinson and Fredericks,
the chauffeurs, broke window and
climbed out on the roof, while James
Sloan and Jack Wheeler, the secret
service guards, tore away the shin
giles and helped fight the flames. Mrs.
Neville did not know how to trea. her
unexpected but distinguished guest,
who urged her to keep calm, IS there
was no danger.
"Will you come into the parlor?'
she asked.
'tNo, thinks" replied the presi-
dent, "but you might let me get a
bucket Of water" Mrs. Neville has
tened to comply, but before it could
be Of service the frehghters on the
roof had descended with the report
that little damage had been done and
that the blaze was out.
"Well done," said the president
and the entire party left the house
for the automobiles. The chief Of
the local FIRE department was just ar
irving with his hook and ladder and
other apparatus.
"The fires over" announced the
president, and added, with proud
smile, "my men have just put 1t out. I"
Judge Neville and his son came
running up at that moment and big
crowd collected. The judge was pro-
fuse in his thanks and spoke appre-
ciatively Of the presidents thought
full concern for Mrs. Neville.
The president took no motor ride
in the afternoon, resting after his ex-
ertions at golf. He enjoyed the
change in the temperature and was
enthusiastic about the links which lie
along the shore Of the gulf. The
president dictated a fe wletters and
read scores Of kilograms that poured
in, congratulating him on the enact
nent Of the currency bill. He took
a nap during the afternoon and again
spent the evening with his family.