The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-03-15
Established 1891
BIG VARNVLLE BLAZE.
Only Two Stores Left Standing in
Business Section.-Loss $75,OO0.

most disastrous fires in the history
of the town occurred in Varnville at
an early hour this morning, when
practically all the business houses on
both sides of Main street were de-
stroyed, entailing an estimated loss
of between sixty and seventy-fve
thousand dollars, partly covered by
insurance.
The fire originated in lot sepa-
rating the stores of C. w. Taylor and
w. o. Guess. A number of banana
cartons and quantity of excelsior
had been piled up on this vacant lot,
and it is supposed that someone pass
ing by carelessly threw lighted
cigarette on this pile of refuse, ignit-
ing it.
Had Gained Much Headway.
The fire was discovered by the
night watchman shortly after mid
night, and it had then reached the
store of c. w. Taylor. This being
wooden building the flames spread
rapidly, destroying the adjoining
store, that of W. G. Gooding, in short
order, and spreading thence in both
directions, crossing the street and
burning the large store of L. f.
Bowling & Sons. Then the fire swept
down both streets at the same time.
Only by heroic efforts were the Char
lesion and Western Carolina Rail-
way station, the residence of w. B..
Bowling and the only two stores on
the entire street left standing, saved.
The fire was gotten under controi
about 2:15 a. m. ..
Ike L. Lightsey was seriously in
jured when a part of the burning
building of W. G. Gooding fell upon
him. He was burned badly over his Z
body, as well as bruised by the fall
ing structure. The attending physi-
clan states that his condition is
grave.
:. Losses and Insurance.
The stores destroyed, together
with an estimated loss of stock and
amount of insurance carried, are as
follows: North side: L. R. Bowling
& Sons, general merchants, store and
goods, $4,000, insurance $1,000; l..
R. Bowling & Sons, grocery ware
house, $1,000, no insurance; Jesse
Thomas, general merchandise, stock
$4,000, partly covered by insurance.;
Lee Welch, confections, stock $1,000,
no insurance; Waco Theatre, 500,
no insurance; Leland Sanders, stock
$1,000, no insurance. South side:
w. G. Gooding, general merchandise,
stock $4,000, partly covered by in
surance; C. w. Taylor, meat market
and fancy grocery, stock $4,000, no
insurance; W. o. Guess, general mer-
chant, stock $4,000, insurance ST.
500; Mrs. B. F. Warn, millinery, loss
$4,000, insurance $4,000; S. G. Warn,
Esq, law Office, $1,000, no insur-
ance; Mrs. R. L. Chisolm, store, ST.
900, no insurance.
No Contents Saved.
Absolutely nothing was saved from
the several stores destroyed, due to
the rapidity with which the flames
spread, except that of Jesse Thomas,
from which a quantity Of merchan-
disc was moved before the flames
reached it, the most Of which, how
ever, was badly damaged The stores
occupied by Thomas, the Waco Thea
tre and 'Welch were owned by Mrs.
J. A. Smoak. of Varnville; the stores
occupied by Gooding, Taylor, and
Guess were owned by J. J. and "a. R.
Speaks. Mrs. Smoaks loss was about
$4,000; the Speaks brothers about
$4,000 with 81, 800 insurance.
Other Places Damaged.
The Varnville Lighting company
sustained damages of about $500,
due to the burning of street lights,
wires, posts, etc. The store of Mrs.
N. w. Rentz was damaged in the sum
of $500, caused by the breaking Of
large plate glass front windows. The
store of J. B. Youmans, occupied by
Chisolm Brothers, was damaged like
wise and in about the same amount.
The manager for the store of L. R.
Dowling & Sons stated that while
their losses were heavy, they would
begin Immediately upon the construc-
ton of a modern brick building on
the site of the old store. The other
merchants will also rebuild at once,
and in each instance brick build
ing will replace the former wooden
structure.
At public auction sale on farm
Do T~ic