Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-06-04

About nine O'Clock Tuesday morning
fire broke out at the creamery building
in Creagerstown, village of several
hundred inhabitants, situated about three
miles southeast of Thurmont.
At the time a strong breeze was blow
ing from the northwest, and in a short
time the building and its contents were
in ruins. Standing to the south few
feet was the Town Hall, and this caught
from the creamery building.
As soon as it was seen that the second
building was doomed and that the fire
was likely to spread to other building,
word was teephoned to Thurmont and
all surrounding towns for help.
The town being without water, and all
buildings being very dry. the sparks from
the burning buildings ignited almost ev-
erything that they fell upon. In short
time the straw stack in front of Mr.. Geo.
Stevens barn was blazing and the blaze
soon communicated with the barn.
The residents of the town who had
been helping at these fires were convinc-
ed now that the entire town was doomed
and turned their attention to their own
homes, and soon the streets were lined
with furniture and household articles of
all description.
AS soon as word was received at Thur
mont that help was needed, men began
answering the call. Mr.. Lester Birely
with Mayor Root and several others with
buckets and axes left in an automobile
and following in RAPID succession Messrs
M. l.. Creager, P. N. Hammaker, Geo.
E. Wilhide, DR.. Kefauver, Grayson Shat
fer and Ernest Powell took from five to
eight men in their machines to the tire.
Mr.. l.. X. Waesche also took load.
When these men arrived the fire had
burned the above buildings and was max
ing good Roadway on Ben Bells house
and the Stevens home and r. l.. Ogle's
property, the two latter properties being
on the corners of the public square.
While these were burning it was seen
that the hotels on the opposite corners of
the square would be burned. These
buildings were of brick with metal roof
ing, but so hot was the fire that brick
and metal were of little protection.
Ladders were very scarce and the little
water which was gotten from wells could
not be used effectively. While the krise
hotel was burning, the air current chang
ed to almost an opposite direction and in
moment the old stable to the west of
the MOTEL was mass of flame. In not
more than five minutes the wind changed
again to its original direction, but the
stable was gone and with it number of
other small buildings. Had not this sta
BILE burned, likely the residence of |. l..
Hankey would have been saved, as the
fremen made desperate effort to keep
the fire within the walls of the hotel.
From the krise hotel the flames were
driven across the street to the Valley
house, owned by C. z. Valentine and for
many years was the home Of Mr.. and
Mrs. j. l.. Miller. This was also brick
building, but it was soon in ashes.
At the homes of Calvin Ogle on the
west side of the street and John Ahalt
on the east, another desperate stand was
taken all available water used to keep
the buildings from catching fire, and it
was finally seen that the firemen would
| L NJ of
Thurmont on the roof of the Ahalt house
kept throwing water in the face of an
almost unbearable heat and binding
smoke.
The buildings burned are as follows:
The Creamery, portion of which was
occupied by Mrs. Susie Keetch as resi-
dence, most of her goods being saved.
Town Hall, owned by Mr.. Frank Ste
vens. and used by Jr. O. U. A. M. Lodge
and Monocacy Valley Band. All furni'
ture and other effects saved.
Benz Bells house, stabling, black
smith shop totally gone.
Robert l.. Ogle's residence, store, all
outbuilding, stock of goods, furniture,
etc. Mr.. and Mrs. Ogle were in Balti-
more Tuesday Mr.. Elmer Speak, who
was in charge of the store, saved the ac'
count books.
Krise Hotel, occupied by Isaac Hahn
since April 1st, and owned by Mr.. jeff
Krise of Frederick, together with al
stabling, sheds, etc.
Barber Shop, occupied by Byron Free
Isaac l.. Hankey sresidence, household
effects, stabling, etc.
George w. Hann's residence, outbuild
ings and some personal effects.
All of the above buildings were locat
ed on the west side of the street.
On the east side of the street burned
George Stevens residence, large banl