The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-04-23

clothing and belongings of the family,
500 in cash, located in desk on the
second floor was consumed in the
flames.
Threatening at most anytime to en-
danger property on the western side
OF Thurmont. a big forest fire, the
worst OF the spring in that section If
the Catoctin mountains, broke out
early last Monday morning about three
miles west of Thurmont and was not
gotten under control until near mid
night last night. The flames came
within about a mile of Thurmont at
one time last evening. Residents of
the town declared that there was no
danger unless a strong gale carried
the nre directly to the town. About
s o'clock there was sudden change
of the stiff breeze which stirred the
entire day, changing the advance from
the Thurmont and the surrounding
section, to more southrly direction.
Fire Of mysterious origin last Monday
afternoon devastated the farm of
uose steiner northwest of JeffeIsou
destroying the barn, outbuildings and
dwelling house, and spreading to the
buildings on the adjoining farm own
ed and occupied by Clarence Hemp.
destroyed the barn on that place, then
swept over the fields covering an area
of half a mile. Late last night the
fire had almost burned itself out, but
was still being watched closely.
The family of George Steiner, which
includes his wife and three children,
are homeless and almost without
clothing. All wearing apparel, ex-
cept what they wore was consumed,
despite herioc efforts to save some of
tnelr belongings.
On the farm of Clarence Hemp Miss
Marie Hemp, the young daughter of
Mr.. Hemp, saved the livestock from
being burned to death, when she dash
ed into the burning barn and assisted
in the rescue of horses and COWS there
and in the barn-yard.
For a time the house Of Mr.. Hemp
was threatened by flying sparks, but
the wind blowing in another direction
and valiant work on the part of the
volunteers who turned out to assist in
fighting the flames, saved this struc-
ture. At one time it looked as if the
flames might spread even to Jefferson.
This was when an ember was carried
by the wind and set fire to the field
ON the farm of Mrs. Anna HORNE. The
home and farm buildings of Jacob
Cutler who lives close to the scene of
the blaze were threatened with des-
truction but the flames were prevented
from spreading to this place. Fire
fighters were busy most of the night
following up embers that were blown
from the smouldering ruins of the
burned buildings and extinguishing
them before they started further dam
age.
A call for help sent into the Fred
erick fire companies was Unanswered,
the local companies refusing to re-
spond because of the turning down Of
their request for an appropriation
from the county, which action was
taken by the county commissioners a
week ago.
The farm of Mr. Hemp was the
nearest and flying sparks soon set the
fields there afire. Wind-driven fire
brands landed thick and fast on the
roof of the barn, big fourbank
structure, which was directly in their
path. and the bucket brigade was un-
able to do anything to prevent the
structure being destroyed. 1t was
soon a raging furnace and the atten-
ton of the fire-fghters was given to
the other property on the place.