Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-10-23
Moving the Damaged Grain.

Last Thursday, by order OF the in
surance companies, grain salvage
companys under the direction of Mr..
Fox, began the work of retaining as
much as possible of the Fl 900 bushels
of wheat that was damaged in the
great fire that destroyed the -four mill
Of the C. N. Whiting Milling Company
in Shepherdstown. AS stated in last
weeks Register, when the big wheat
bins collapsed the wheat was piled up
in huge mound, and though it burn
ed for several days, the fire was most
ly on the surface. A considerable
part of the grain was damaged CON-
paratively little. Mr.. Fox put large
force of men at work, and they have
since been busy getting the wheat
ready for shipment. The grain, where
it is mixed with charcoal from the
burned timbers and other debris, is
put through sleeves, and after being
cleaned as well as il can be done in
this way is loaded on the cars. Most
of it is being sent to Baltimore, where il
is ground up into feed for hogs,
chickens, ETC., after being carefully
cleaned. Probably a dozen carloads
will be salvaged.
Mr.. Fox seemed to be surprised that
there was so little demand for the dam
aged grain on the part of farmers and
stock men in this section. He states
that in the West the farmers drive for
for many miles in order to purchase
similar stuff and make excellent feed
out of il, and there is no necessity for
shipping it away, as the demand is
usually far beyond the supply. The
people of this section have never been
keen for burned grain. They believe
that it is bad for live stock and they
will not feed it.
Mr.. Writings safe was recovered
from the ruins of the mill and its con-
tents were found in excellent condi-
ton. Some of the books and papers
were scorched bit, but all were quite
legible. The safe was covered deep
by the grain that was stored in the bins
above the Office, and this kept the heat
from running the safe and its contens.
C. N. Whiting informs us that
satisfactory adjustment Of his in
surance on the mill and its contents
has already been made, except that
one policy Of $4,000 has not yet been
settled, the adjuster not having ar
rived. The insurance, as stated last
week, amounted to 100000. While
the name of the firm was the c. N. !
Whiting Milling Company, Mr.. Whit
ing was the sole owner, no other per-
son having any interest in the plant.
He has formulated no plans yet in
regard to rebuilding. The abnormal
ly high prices Of building material,
labor and milling machinery is cal
culated to deter him from going into
the project of rebuilding, but II is
hoped that he may see his way clear
to renew the industry, which was OF
such benefit to all Of our community.
The Norfolk & Western Railway
Company sent a representative here
the first of the week TO express the
sympathy Of the officials for Mr..
Whiting in his misfortune, and the
company will do everything that it can
to encourage rebuilding. Mr.. Whiting
was naturally pleased good deal at
this evidence of interest on the part
of the railroad, which has always treat
ed him fairly and showed him every
consideration.
Not farmer in this community lost
a dollars worth Of wheat by the fire,
Under the present business methods,
directed by the government, the mo-
ment the grain is placed in the mill it
becomes the property of the miller and
is insured in his name. Some farm
ers were hauling wheat to the mill just
before the fire occurred, but they SUI
fer no loss.