Milford chronicle., 1913-12-12
BOWERS

The first great conhagration ever seen
in this part of Kent county broke ont at
Bowers Beach last Friday shortly after
FIVE O. clock in the evening, in the rear
of the Chandler store, which IS located
on the river front. The flames were
breaking out the roof when discovered, f.,
but the alarm brought the entire popu-
/ lation to the scene, 1t was seen that the
cottages were doomed unless some means
other than that available was brought
into action, so telephone calls TO Dover
and Milford, and surrounding places
were sent out, and the people responded
nobly. The buckets of water effectually
checked the FIRE from spreading to the
west, and the Kent Cottage, the Reese
Cottage and one other was saved at that
end, but the light wind swept the flames
across the cottages to the east and thev
were swallowed up until eighteen in all
were smouldering Goals and ruins. The
Dover chemical truck arrived about the |
time that the fire was gotten under con |
troll, but in TRYING to get into action. it |
attempted TO cross the marsh, and sank /
into the mud, where it remained hard /
and fast The axes and ladders were
very useful, even if the engine was not
able to work, and the citizens of Bowers
extend their thanks and appreciation to
these good men and all others who re-
sponded in their hour of need The loss,
with personal property considered, has
been estimated at a sum ranging from
Ten to eighteen thousand dollars. One
boat owned BY Jacob Seagress was worth
'ver one thousand dollars, and there
we're only three of the burned buildings
insured.
The Chandler store and residence, i
wned by Clara c. Cole of Philadelphia, {
Tas total loss. The stock of goods, a
ew upright piano and all the household t
oOds went with it. I
The 'Hampt' cottage and the "Po t
ohontas" cottage, owned BY Elizabeth b
utcher, of Philadelphia; the Little I
reek" cottage and contents owned bv a
2. S. Hendrixson, of Philadelphia; the u
Bayside" cottage, owned BY Elizabeth p
iggs, of FELTON,; the West Philadel "
1ia, owned by Mrs. c. F. Noble, of tC
the "Ivanhoe, - owned by q
W. Downham, of Viola; the Whining CT
n, " owned by Virginia Wood, of Cam hC
N, n. J the "Miona," owned by 7. vi
Voshell, of Camden, Del. and which
IS occupied by the Shibe Club, which tn
composed of some of the members of nj
e Athletic base ball club, of Philadel- tt
ia, was handsomely furnished and had bu
inc piano; the Columbia" owned by We
H. Smith, of Willow Grove: the be
)elphia," owned by W. s. Green, Of no
sing Sun; the 'Idlewild, " owned bv ms
la Meredith, of Viola; the "Capicola. " we
ned by H. H. Jackson, of Viola; the in
owned by Mary A. len
IS, of Germantown, Pa; the ''Maguo- we
- owned by J. ]. Conner, of Magno- Sci
the Tomlinson, owned by Mrs. pia
han, of Frederica; the Riverside. " iml
ned by a. Miller. of Philadelphia; the
-ome, ~ owned by Luther Rash, of eac
.derica; the 'Delair, - owned by ]. ed
Postles, Of Frederica, is a correct list y
he cottages burned, and the large add
t house owned by Mrs. Flack, of for
gers, was torn down to stop the pro 7
IS of the flames elias
he people of Bowers now want to The
t subscription list to provide equip
It with which to fight fires, and the