Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-06-12
Hilltop House at Harper's Ferry Burned.


The Hilltop House at Harper's Fer
~, one of the most popular hotels IT
this section Of the country, was entire
" DESTROYED ~ fire Tuesday morning
Shortly before 9 o'clock, while most OF
the guests were al Breakfast, the hre
started in the upper part of the hotel on
the east front of the building. When II
was first observed the fire was spread
ing so rapidly and the smoke was so
thick il was seen that with the poor
facilities for fighting the flames there
was but little hope of saving the struc-
ture. Thomas S. Lovett, the owner
and proprietor of the hotel, went to the
dining room and notified the guests OF
the fire, and some of them succeeded
in removing their clothing and other
valuables from their rooms. Others
were not so fortunate and lost their
trunks and most of their possessions.
The bells of the churches and schools
of the town were rung, and in short
time many persons from HarUef tet-
~ and Bolivar were on hand and lent
active assistance N carrying out the
furniture and furnishings from the
burning structure. A good deal OF fur
niture was saved, some of il being
damaged, however, and the contents
Of the store rooms were also carried
out. As the news was telephoned over
the county many persons from other
sections hurried 70 the scene ty auto
mobile and sorrCwfully watched the
destruction of The handsome Funding
and its contents
Ii is not known just how the hre
originated. 1t began ir one OF the up
per stories, or possibly the attic. II
NAV have been started by crossed wires,
though one report was to the effect that
one of the guests left lighted coaloll
stove in her room while she went 10
breakfast, and that this exploded ard
caused the fire. One person who was
among the first to enter the building
gave il as his positive opinion that the
fire was caused by the stove. The de
struction of the building was complete,
every particle of the woodwork being
burned. Parts of the stone walls re-
manned standing, but are useless so
far as future building is concerned.
The hotel, which had accommoda-
tons for about $50 guests, was COM
paratively new. Proprietor Lovetts
old hotel was destroyed by fire in De
cember, 1912 He at once started the
construction of a larger and better
building, which was opened to the pub
lie in August, 1913. 1t was a large and
handsome structure, built substantially
of native mountain stone, and mad
modern convenienceS and comforts.
Ii was very popular place, and dur
inp the summer season attracted many
Washington persons, and entertained
visitors from all over the world. PreSi-
dent Wilson liked the hotel so we'll that
he had twice been a guest during the
past few years. II occupied location
Of unsurpassed beauty on the heights
overlooking tire Potomac and Shenan7
toah rivers. and the Subilml'y Of the
view impressed al, who visited the place.
Proprietor -0yutf. who is a progressive
and energetic cOiored man OF unusual
business ability, conducted dig ho..l
m frstcaSs style, and bad lie ia.i
confidence o. large clientele. His
loss is a considerable one, but his
friends hope that he will not lose heart
az this second misfortune and that he
will soon begin the work of rcconsru--
ton. The burning of the hotel IS
serious blow 10 iarUCr's Ferry, 10. i
attracted many thousands of visitors
there each year. Indeed ii was q oene-
fit to the whole county and this section
of the State. $4,000.
There was an jusuranc, Of $4,000
on the property, Washington, Alex
ander & Cooke having policies amount
ing to $500 and the Moore Insurance
and Realty Company $1,000. These
were on building and contents. The
loss will reach $4,000. The cost OF
the building six or seven years ago was
$4,000. and many Improvements had
since been added. At the present
greatly increased cost of material and
labor the building could hardly be re-
placed for double that sum. Pro-
prietor Lovett has not yet fully deter
mined what he will do about rebuild
ing. He has had many expressions OF
sympathy in regard to. his loss.
The Charles Town fire companies re7
sponded to an appeal for help, but by
the time they reached the scene the
hotel was a ruin and there was little
they could do, save throw streams on
the burning embers.
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