The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-19
COLUMBUS, MISS,
SUFFERS BIG FIRE
Business Loss Is $3.50, ooo.
Telephone Wires Down and
Utilities Suspended.

COLUMBUS, Miss, March 10. (spI)
The most disastrous fire that has
visited Columbus in many years broke
out in the heart Of the business dis
uict late Tuesday afternoon and ragged
far into the night, destroying three
buildings and damaging several others,
the total loss from the oonflagratlon
being estimated at $3.50, 900.
The buildings destroyed include the
Hatch block, the Columbus National
bank building, q six-story structure,
and a two-story building owned by j.
Alter n occupied by Vieter's confec-
tioneFy, The local exchange OF the
Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph
company, Just west of Vietor's eonfec-
uohefy, on Main street, and Princess
heater, just north OF the Hatch build
ageA
The fire broke out In Burleson bar
Der shop, on the first floor of the
Hatch building, and is said to have
been caused by the explosion OF gaso.
2 bath tub. The flames travelled rap
idly, having In a short time spread to
the store OF the Columbus Clothing
company and Rumbach's jewelry estab-
lishment, which were In the Hatch
building, later attacking the Columbus
National bank building after which they
enyeloped Victor's confectionery.
All u the cash books, notes and other
securities held by the Columbus Ma
ttonal bank were saved, having been
locked in q fiFe-ppoof vault o after
the flames made their appearance. The
office OF the Lowndes county exemp-
ton board was located in the bank
building and the master book contain
ing q complete record of all transae-
tons was saved through the presence
Of mind Of Miss Mary Clark, secretary
OF the board, who took the book with
her when she made q hasty departure
from the burning building.
Mrs Henry Terry, wife OF q we'll
known local contractor, had q narrow
escape from death. Mrs. Terry was
sitting in the operating chair in the
office OF a dentist, located on the second
floor Of the Hatch building, when the
fire broke out, and va prevented by
smoke and flame from leaving the
building via the stairway. A ladder
was placed ut n OF the windows, and
9 fireman assisted her In making her
descent to the Street below.
When 1t became evident that the
local firemen could not cope with the
flames, Mayor Meclanehan sent tele-
ElhiN2 W GOT IutHL hIlu A~DeTQe9Il,
requesting assistance. The first re-
Spouse came from West Point, not only
a truck from the West Point fire de-
partment, but the entire fire fighting
apparatus Of Payne field, which is To-
Gated near that city, arriving shortly
after nightfali. A detail Of 40 men UNI
der command Of Lieut.. FAINT Hammond
also came over from Payne field and
patrolled the. city throughout the night.
The fire seriously disrupted the tele-
phone. electric light and street car ser
c% con-; was eSSer 9ig%. "h by t M
business mel and the public generally.
Restaurants and drug stores substitu-
ted candles and kerosene oil lamps for
electricity and continued to serve their
patrons, but the Columbus Dispatch,
which usually prints its midweek edi-
lion Tuesday night, was forced to de
lay the operation until the following
morning, as no power was o~btainable,