Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-08-24
Poolesville Fire Disaster.

The entire business section of Pooles-
vile, this county. was destroyed by fire in
the early morning of August 18th last
following an explosion, of undetermined
origin, in the general store of Thomas Hos
kinson.
Through the efforts of Miss Dora Hall
proper alarm was given and the town made
aware of its danger. Heroic efforts were
made to prevent the flames from spreading,
but to no avail, and general alarm was sent
to the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.
which made record run, placing their
equipment in service in thirty-fve minutes
after the summons was received. Additional
members of the company not able to ride
on the two motorized pieces of apparatus
were conveyed to the scene of fire by
numerous private automobiles. Assistant
Fire Chief Barnard Welsh was in charge
and, under his direction. the firemen. ably
assisted by the men and women of PooleS
vile. were enabled not only to locaize
the fire but to save several properties al
ready afiame. Though handicapped by
the lack of proper water facilities the
engine, under the supervision of Engineer
Disney, W. Valentine Wilson and Frank
Higgins, after its long run went into i'm
mediate action and steadily threw water
from three wells. The hook and ladder
truck, driven by Warner Humphrey. ar
rived first at the conf1asration and its
members, under the command of William
Burrows, used their ladders, hooks and
quickly organized bucket brigade with
splendid results. The Poolesvlle people
remarked on the gentlemanly conduct,
spirit and organized efficiency of the fire.
men and credited them with saving much
property.
Seven of Poolesville's largest buildings
were destroyed including the postoffice.
The buildings destroyed and the losses
to each were:
General store of Thomas Hoskinson-
$4,000 building. $4,000 stock.
Residence of Mrs. Charles V. Morrison
So, 500 building, $500 furniture.
Building owned by Mrs. Sadie Hardcas-
tie and occupied as confectionery store by
Carl Fisher-$l.5 building. So, 500 stock
Building owned by Mrs Hardcastle and
occupied as postoffice-$5.200 building,
$500 fixtures.
Clothing. furniture and shoe store of
Howard W. Spurrier 500 building
SIT, 500 stock
Store building of Albert Wootton-$l2,
500 building. $1,000 stock
Building owned by Mrs. Charles V. Nor
rison and occupied by Charles Sellman as
tinsmith shop-$2.5OO building. $500
stock.
Places damaged and the loss were
Dwelling OF Harry Kohlhoss. $4,000.
Building of Charles J. Morris. $500.
Elgin Brothers store. $500.
Dwelling of the Misses Hall, $500.
Rev. Berkeley Griffith. rector of the Epis-
Nal Church, proved a hero in saving
every piece of mail in the destroyed post
Office When the flames crept toward the
building he rushed in and carried the
sacks safely to the street.
EIgin Brothers store is the only business
establishment left in the town. and even
their place was damaged to the extent of
$500.
Albert Wootten was the only merchant
able to save considerable portion of his
stock from the rapidly spreading flames.
He succeeded in saving a large amount
before his building was destroyed. His
loss in stock amount to about $1,000.
The fire loss will be heavy. Although
fairly well insured the property destroyed
had been insured on a valuation based on
some years ago and therefore will not
cover the many extensive Improvements
made in the meantime.