Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-01-30
FIRE DESTROYS THE EXCHANGE
Office of The Oconee Telephone Co.
OH Main Street, In Wnlhalla.

Last Friday night about 1890
o'clock the alarm Of fire was given
by Night Watchman Sullivan, who
had discovered smoke and blaze
issuing from the buildiIg in which
the local exchan Sc Of the Oconee Tel
ephone Company was located. Mr..
Sullivan states that he had passed
the building only few minutes be-
fore he noticed the fire, and at that
time he saw nothing unusual about
the premises. He was on his rounds,
and had gone to the corner of the
next block, turning across the street,
and was on his way uptown, on the
opposite side of the street, when he
noticed the fire. He at once gave
the alarm, and a crowd gathered
quickly, but there was no chance to
save anything from the building.
The night operator Of the exchange
was awakened and got out Of the
building. but there was mo time for
salvage. That part Of the house not
used as a telephone exchange was
vacant, the family that had occupied
the rooms having moved about the
first of the year. 1t Is stated, how
ever, that for some little time past
a number Of boys and young men
had frequented the unoccupied por-
ton OF the building, and that more
or less carousing has taken place
there. 1t ts supposed that some one
or those who have been frequenting
the place may have thrown lighted
cigarette or cigar stump in the pass
ageway, and that this started the
fire on the stairway. The fire could
have easily reached the roof in this
part Of the house before being de-
tected by any one about the prem
ises, and Night Watchnan Sullivan
states that the blaze was issuing
from the roof when it attracted his
attention.
The Telephone Company's losses
are estimated at about $4,000, this
amount covering the building and
contents. There was no insurance,
Major Stribling stating that the in
surance rate was SO high in that sec
tion for telephone exchange that he
did not feel justified in paying II.
For the present the company's ex-
change will hb located in the town
building across the street from the
Old exchange, and as soon as possible
the service Will be resumed. The
Whole exchange outfit wifi, however.
have to be installed new, and this
VIII or necessity cause considera-
bic break in the service given. The
exchange will be placed in operating
order Just as quickly as possible. A
new building will be erected for the
exchange, it is understood. If erect
ed on the old site the building viii
have to be .bri' x or stone, as the site
Is within the fire limits.
Fortunately, at the time Of the
fire, there was only slight breeze
blowing, and this from the west. Had
the wind been from the east It is
doubtful II any of the three houses
to the west of the burned building
could have been saved. The old
Fischesser building was kept from
catching fire by means Of "bucket
brigade, who worked faithfully .un-
I'll the danger was past. This is an
old frame building, about 25 feet
front on Main street, and running
back probably hundred feet-a Sc
ries Of small buildings attached to
each other. This property now be-
longs to Otto Kaufman, and we
understand will be torn down after
ne erects a brick building east of 1t.
He hopes to begin this work in the
early spring.