Newspaper Page Text
1 hirtieth year.
Honey Saved Here!
knows no law,” and necessity
** is at the bottom of
Bailey’s Clothing Sale.
Our always-strictly-adhered-to policy of “car
rying over as few goods as possible from one
season to the next,” makes it imperative for us
to hasten the departure of present stock before
the arrival of Spring goods.
“But it’s too late to buy Winter Clothing,” you
say. Not a bit of it —providing the inducements
are great enough. Winter is not o\ er, by any
means. We can expect plenty of cold weather
—more than likely, the coldest of the year. Then,
too, the foresighted man will need no urging to
provide now for next Winter’s needs.
Now, When He Can Save 20
to 50 Per Cent!
But we might talk for weeks and in the end
say nothing more convincing than is shown by a
mere statement of the facts and figures in the
case. Come and see for yourself.
W. D. BAILEY,
Outfitter for Men and Boys.
STOP THAT COUGH.
We keep all the standard and
best known cough remedies, and
we particularly recommend
COMPOUND SYRUP WHITE
PINE AND TAR
25c and 50c
It is excelled by none other.
R mBERT’S DRUG STORE
NS XT TO POSTOFFICE.
tUR STOCK
Is Unsurpassed
Latest Designs,
Greatest Variety,
Lowest Prices.
“EVERYTHING IN FURNITURE LlNE.’’i
Furnish Your Home
At Least Cost By Buying From
ALLISON FURNITURE COMPANY
OPPOSITE WINDSOR HOTEL.
AMERICUS TIMES-RECORDER
AMERICUS HAS DISASTROUS BLAZE
Atlantic Compress Company’s Plant Destroyed, Entailing
Loss of Probably $125,000 —Property
Fully Insured.
Th e most destructive fire Americus
has witnessed since 1864, when tHfe
Price Warehouse and all of Cotton
avenue went up in smoke, started at
6 o’clock Sunday night in the plant
of the Americus Compress Co., and
resulted in a' property loss of probably
$125,000.
Nothing but a heap of ruins, dis
mantled machinery, twisted and
burned cars and cotton bales mark the
site of the large plant.
The fire, despite the loss sustained,
presented a scene of spectacular mag
nificence, and was viewed by thou
sands of people who flocked there
from every part of the city.
Within five minutes after the first
spark was discovered the entire plant
was enveloped and doomed to com
plete destruction.
Hundreds of Buies Burned
Seventeen hundred bales of cotton
were stored in the press and upon the
platforms, and over this expanse of
bales the flames swept like a prairie
fire. Streams of water poured upon
it were of no avail, and the seething
caldron burned until material was
exhausted.
When the alarm was 'given the
flames had already swept over the
plant, and although the fire depart
ment did good service and saved 300
bales of cotton in damaged condition,
it could not cfjrpe with the flames.
Chief McArthur left a sick bed to
assume command and the department
with four streams upon the flame,
did good service.
Started in Bagging File
Just how the blaze originated is
still a mystery. The fire, then a tiny
flame, was first seen by Night Watch
man Speer, who was in the office at
the moment. He had just completed
the 6 o'clock round of the press, and
everything was in good shape.
The fire started in a pile of old
bagging near the centre of the press,
and probably twenty or thirty feet
from the city engine rooms.
Whether it was the result, of acci
dent or incendiary origin is not
known, though probably the latter.
Watchman Speer, upon seeing the
small blaze, seized a oucket of water,
thinking to extinguish it by that
means. Failing utterly, he went for
th e compress fire apparatus and an
nexed a line of hose to a plug, the
company having 1,000 feet of hose in
the plant.
The Flant in a Blaze
By this time the flames had gained
such headway as to be seen from the
electric lighting plant by the employes
there, who promptly sent in the alarm
of fire.
But a telephone alarm was unneces
sary then, for the flames, in mad glee,
were already dancing over the great
expanse of cotton bales in the press
and upon the platforms, and could be
seen for twenty miles. The whole
city was aroused by the glare of the
flames.
The fire covered an expanse of prob
ably 1,000 feet when the department
arrived. By some unfortunate mis
hap one line of hose burned while
in use, thus hindering the work.
This was soon replaced, and with
four streams playing upon the sea
of flame the firemen kept everlasting
ly at it for nearly seven hours.
Electric Plant in Danger
The fact that the wind, soon after
th e sue started, shifted direct from
the w r est, probably saved the electric
AGAIN PRES. WALKER IS
CALLED TO THE NORTH
Americus Plant is Eurther
Delayed.
Instead of reaching Americus yes
terday, as he doubtless intended do
ing, President Walker of the Ameri
cus Railway & Light Co., arrived in
Scranton, Penn., a matter of a thou
sand miles away. President Walker,
when called home from Americus six
weeks ago, expected to return here
shortly, so he stated, but had been
delayed there some time longer than
anticipated. For two weeks past he
had been in South Carolina towns
where his company has enterprises
similar to that which it is expected
will be built in Americus this year.
Having completed his business in Car
olina, it is said, he w r as about to leave
for Americus on Sunday when, it
is said, he was unexpectedly called
back to Scranton upon business. The
hope is still expressed that he will
return to Americus very shortly and
inaugurate the building of the elec
tric power plant, which was to be
completed by May next, according to
original estimates.
BIG OEEERING IS MADE
I TODAY IN SILK THREAD
i ■
An offering that will interest the
ladies is that of 200 dozen spools black
silk thread today at Duncan’s. This
fine quality thread is the run of the
mills, and was sent the Duncan Com
pany yesterday by a New York manu
facturer. As the supply is small*only
200 dozen, the sale will be limited to
one dozen to a customer, and the price
is three cents a spool while it lasts.
AMERICUS, GEORGIA. TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 4. 1908.
lighting plant, the gas plant and the
Americus Ice Co's plant from destruc
tion, resulting quite probably in
the explosion of the immense tank of
gas.
Such an explosion would have
shaken the city and resulted in an
enormous destruction of property,
and quite probably of life as well.
While the fire raged the cry “look
out for the gas plant” was given, and
the thousands of spectators surged
back from the fire, many of them
leaving the scene. Supt. Hagerty said
there was no danger, as, if necessary,
he could empty the tank quickly.
Luckily, however, the wind shifted
to the west and there were no other
buildings in the patch of the flames.
Cars Burned oil Sidings
Five freight cars on the compress
track, all loaded with merchandise,
burned with their contents. One of
these was loaded with marble monu
ments for an Americus firm, another
with salt, and another with lard be
longing to the, Americus Grocery
Co.
Two other cars loaded with general
merchandise were burned. Most of
the carload of lard was saved.
Unfortunately, the Central Railway
swith engine was “dead” in the yard
and could render no assistance in
saving cars. Mr. M. C. Proctor, of
the Seaboard, had a shifter to come
from that yard, and rendered Agent
Hightower of the Central valuable as
sistance.
But for this several Central coaches
and other freight cars loaded with
cotton might have burned.
Much Cotton Is Saved
The shifting of the wind at a
critical juncture saved from destruc
tion 400 bales cotton stored on the
south end of th e compress platform,
immediately near the gas plant.
This cotton was directly in the path
way of the fire at the start, but the
veering of the wind gave Supt. Tobin
and his foice of helpers a chance to
save this valuable lot. Other bales
were rolled to a place of safety on
the other side of the Central Rail wav
tracks.
Besides the loss in cotton, about six
ty tons of commercial fertilizer stor
ed in th e compress was entirely con
sumed entailing an additional loss of
probably SI2OO. Some lumber and a
quantity of coal belonging to the
compress company was burned also.
Bagging, ties, trucks and all other
property in the plant burned.
Fire Burned All Night
0
As the bales were eaten away the
great sheds collapsed and fell into
the seething vortex of fire beneath,
sending myriad sparks skyward, the
effect being like an immense display
of pyrotechnics in its awful grandeur.
The fire department remained seven
hours upon the scene ere the flames
were entirely controlled.
The fire burned throughout the
night, and even next morning three
hundred half-burned bales were still
smoldering and blazing alternately.
Many of these were “Floradora” bales.
The scene was a gruesome one with
its smoking ruins.
The brick walls of the engine
rooms still stand, while the immense
smokestack, like a grim sentinel,
rears its grimy head above th e ruin
and wreck of burned cotton hales, cars
and debris. The stack and walls,
however, will likely be pulled down
in rebuilding.
FRUIT GROWERS TO
ORGANIZE TODAY
Growth of Industry Makes
Harmony Important.
Fruit growers of Sumter county and J
nearby territory in other counties will
meet this afternoon at 2 o’clock at
the City Hall for the purpose of form
ing a Fruit Growers’ Association.
Membership will include growers of
peaches, pears, apples, grapes, can
teloupes and watermelons.
The object of the organization is
that growers of fruits and melons may
get into closer touch with each other.
Within the past three years the fruit
industry, as well as the allied indus
tries named, has vastly increased in
Sumter county. A number of import
ant matters have arisen in which the
co-operation of the growers is emi
nently desirable to the end that the
crops can be handled more economi
cally.
Every grower of fruits, grapes or
melons is urged to be present at the
meeting this afternoon. Subjects of
mutual interest will be discussed and
an organization effected. The prime
movers in the meeting today include a
number of the prominent growers of
small fruits in this and surrounding
counties.
“ How are your bowels?” the doctor always
B. asks. He knows I>w important is the ques
* B » g"\ 1f& r tion of constipation. He knows that inac
fi i U * tivity of the liver will often produce most
rx . „ , .. , disastrous results. We believe Ayer’s Pills
Doctors all egree thai an active fiver . .. ...
is positively essentia! to health. Ask ® re * h ? bCSt I,V " P llls y° U CJn
your own doctor about Auer's Pith. for over 60 years. i/owif, Mass.*
For within ten days workmen will
be building a new and modern com
press plant there.
Records Were All Burned
The rapid spread of fire towards the
offices prevented the saving of any
thing there, and all the books and
records of the compress were lost.
The safe, which contained some of the
papers and a small sum of money ,was
too hot yesterday to permit of open
ing.
Supt. Tobin gave out the statement
yesterday that there was a total of
1,700 bales in the press. Os this num
ber 1,000 are w T holly destroyed, 300
are burned over but may be saved in
part, wiiile 400 bales, those stored on
the south platform, are not damaged
at all.
The Losses and Insurance
While the loss will he great, prob
ably exceeding SIOO,OOO, all here in
terested are protected by insurance,
both on cotton and building.
The compress is owned by the
Americus Compress Co., of which the
Messrs. Harrold and Council are the
main stockholders and is leased to
the Atlantic Compress Company,
which operated it. The plant was val
ed at $25,000 and fully insured.
The statement was given out yes
terday that it would be rebuilt im
mediately, the new plant being mod
ern and up-to-date in every respect.
The new plant will be finished in four
months.
Insurance Companies Interested
Americus buyers and shippers hav
ing cotton in the press are as follows,
together with the insurance compan
ies carrying the cotton risks.
Bunting & Co., with the Standard
Marine, of Liverpool.
D. B. Ford, with the Standard Ma
rine, of Liverpool.
F. B. Arthur, with the Queen In
surance Co., of America, and the Citi
zens Fire Insurance Co.
.1. B. Holst Co., with the See Insur
ance Co., of New York.
C. J. White, with the Standard Ma
rine Co., of Liverpool.
Georgia Cotton Co., with the Insur
ance Co., of North America.
The compress building was insured
with the Liverpool, London & Globe;
the Home Insurance Co., of New York;
the Manchester Insurance Co., of
New York; and the Ixmdon Assur
ance Co. All of these ate standard
companies, and the risks are all the
very best, it is believed.
Manager Robinson, representing the
Atlantic Compress Co., reached Am
ericus yesterday, and representatives
of the insurance companies will ar
rive this morning to adjust losses.
WILL START WORK ON NEW
COMPRESS IN TEN DAYS
Even as they watched the compress
being devoured by the flames, the
owners, Messrs. L .G. Council, C. M.
Council, and the Messrs. Harrold.
were planning for its rehabita
tion. Within the next ten days a
force of hands will be engaged in
clearing away the debris, and from
that tim e until its completion there
will be no let-up. It is calculated
that four or"five months will be suffi
cient to complete it. As the rental
does not run until the compress is
ready, there is every reason why the
owners should hurry the work.
It is announced that the new plant
will be a splendid one, modern in
every respect, and larger than the
BLIZZARD IS DOING ITS
BEST IN AMERICUS
Solid Freeze on Sunday
and Monday.
Americus was more firmly in the
grasp of the blizzard yesterday than
at any time during the winter, a
solid freeze sending the temperature
below the twenty notch in the tube.
It was decidedly colder yesterday than
on Sunday morning when the first
freeze set in, although the day was
bright and fair. Water pipes popped
like fire-crackers .and the jolly plum
bar called “next” as he flitted from
house to house to turn the water on
again. Americus is fond of winter
weather all right enough, but the
brand handed her yesterday exceed
ed the speed limit.
CARRIED BOY ILL.
. .Owing to the fact that the carrier
boy who delivers the Times-Recorder
on the East Americus route is ill, the
patrons may he inconvenienced for
a few days. If you live on this route
and miss your paper, please telephone
promptly to the office. The trouble
will he adjusted in a day or two, but
in the meantime we ask oar subscri
bers on that route to bear with us.
burned compress. Machinery of the
latest type will he installed.
The burned building was erected in
1885 by th e Americus Compress Com
pany, the stock of which is now owned
by the Messrs. Council and Harrold
Bros. For some years it has been
leased to the Atlantic Compress Com
pany, which has a string of establish
ments in the cotton states east of the
river. From time to time changes
had been made in the machinery, a
double cylinder press system being
employed at the tim e of the fire.
Within the compress and on the
platforms were about 2,000 bales of
cotton. At the same time last year
the supply was about 300 bales. This
excess was due in no wise to the slow
ness of the compress management,
the cotton being held by buyers until
shipping orders were received.
Manager J. M. Tobin is in charge
of the compress as representative of
th e Atlantic company. This is his
second season here. His work has
been most satisfactory, Mr. Tobin
being popular with all branches of
the trade. During the fire he labored
hard, personally and by supervision,
in the task of saving as many bales of
cotton as possible. While much dis
appointed at the loss of the plant, he
has gone energetically to work in
the preparation for the new com
press.
SIGHTSEEING CROWDS
ABOUND BURNING COMPRESS
Even before the warning fire whis
tle was sounded, those who happen
ed to be in the neighborhood at the
time were attracted by the blaze and
hurried to the scene. The shriek of
the fire whistle started an investiga
tion from all parts of town, and when
the luried glare of the flames was
was seen against the evening sky hats
and overcoats were seized, and hun
dreds hurried in the direction of the
confligration.
Many were just sitting down to
supper, while others left the evening
meal untouched to investigate the
source of the excitement. Those who
only got their meals at stated hours
were in many instances shut not
ere they returned.
From all directions the crowds ga
thered, the large area covered by the
compress making a number of points
of vantage from which the huge con
flagration could be viewed. From
time to time the watchers shifted from
one place to another. Those who
were on the south side of the building
wer e caught in showers of sparks
which fell still burning to the earth,
the wind being from the north. At
times balls of burning cotton glowing
like a "star, would fly skyward, to
fall into the waiting crowd. Danger
of clothing catching fire soon caused
the post at that end of the building
to be^abandoned, except for those un
der shelter.
On the hillside between the com
press and Cotton avenue the bulk of
the crowd was finally collected. Fol
lowing the earlier comers, young
ladies with escorts arrived and swell
ed the groups of onlookers.
On the railroad tracks of the Cen
tral of Georgia, to the west of the
burning building, quite a crowd col
lected as the gradual demolition of
the building made the heat less in
tense on that side. The burning
freight cars added to effectiveness of
the scene, the ruddy flames being in
strong contrast to the somberness of
the wood and thicket just beyond the
tracks.
From the first it was seen that there
was no chance to put out the fire,
and the interest of the onlookers was
centered in teh spectacle of the burn
ing building and cotton. As the cur
iosity or taste of each one was satis
fied, the crowds thinned out, until
around 10 o’clock the watchers left
were chiefly those interested in the
compress o rits contents, and th e rail
road men.. The fire continued all
night and yesterday morning the
ruins were still a glowing mass.
HAS PASSED TO BRIGHT
REWARD ON HIGH
Mrs. Augustus B. Raiford
Dead.
Mrs. E. M. Raiford, a very aged
and estimable lady and long a resi
dent of Americus, passed away at
5:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon at
the residence of her daughter, Mrs.
Mrs. Raiford was eighty-nine years
Mrs. Railford was eighty-nine years
old, and the infirmities of years rath
er than recent illness served to sever
the brittle thread of life. While a
native of Screven county, the greater
part of her long and useful life was
spent in Americus, where she was so
well known and beloved by all. Mrs.
Raiford was the widow of Augustus
B. Raiford, a former citizen of Am
ericus, and is survived by h?r daugh
ter, Mi;s. White, and three sons, Mr.
J. P. Raiford of this city, a son in
Florida and another in California.
Since a girl of twelve years she had
been a member of the Methodist
church, where her life was a guiding
star for others. The funeral ser
vices will be conducted at 3 o’clock
this afternoon from the White home
on Lee street. Six grandsons, Rob
ert, Joseph, Fisher and Augustus
Raiford, Hubert Turner and N. H.
White, will serve as pallbearers.
WALTERS BOUND OVER
FOR KILLING HORNE
Cleveland Walters, charged with
the killing of another negro, Dick
Horne, on the Dodson plantation re
cently, has been remanded to jail
without bond until the grand jury
meets in May.
MONEY RAISING SALE
Os
G.S. GARDNER, 207 Forsyth St
\ es, that’s what it is. I have a large stock of goods and
am going to convert a large block of them into cash.
My profits have been made from goods already sold, and I
am going to cut the price of my present stock so deeply that
you will know I am in earnest.
I have the goods, YOU have the money. It’s an invest
ment sale- Even if you can’t wear all the goods you purchase
in the next few weeks, they’ll keep, and save you big interest.
Prices and reductions are just as advertised. My entire
stock of SB,OOO worth of Clothing, Dry Goods, Shoes, Hats,
Etc-,-is included-
I ask that you come and see for yourself, and if the bar
gains are not as represented, I DON’T WANT YOU TO BUY.
A dissatisfied customer is an advertisement I DON’T WANT.
Here Are A Few Os The Bargains:
Men’s Suits I Underwear
$20.00 Suits at sl2 98 Men's $1 Wright’s Health gar. 73c
18.00 Suits at 10.98 Men’s 00c sanitary fleeced 39c
10.00 Suits at 4.79 Ladies’ 50c underwear 39c
6.00 Suits at 3.29 Ladies’2sc stockings 19c
Boy’s Suits Ladies’ stoc^ n^s 8c
SB.OO Suits $5.49
6.00 Suits 3.49 ... Maples
1.50 Suits 98 calicoes 5c
125 Suits 73 check homespun 4c
Men’s Pants B ed Spreadsheets
*s*ss p $3.98 $2.50 bedspreads $1.73
t’nn p 3n ! S 3-23 2.00 bed spreads 1.23
i 2n p n ! s 1-50 bedspreads 98
Men’s Furnishings
Men’s $ I dress shirts 89c Cotton Goods
Men’s 50c dress shirts 39c 15c, 20c and 25c en. broidery 10c
Men’s isc supporters 9c 10c best plaids 8c
Men’s 35c suspenders 23c 10c 3yd sheeting 8c
Men’s 25c sox r. ..19c 10c outing 8c
Men’s 10c sox 8c I Oc.dress gingham 8c
Dress Goods C i , , r
25c worsteds 19c Shawls and Furs
50c worsteds 39c 50c grade at 33c
75c worsteds 59c $3.50 furs at $1.98
$1.25 worsteds 98c 1-00 furs at 73
G. S. Gardner.
We Buy and Sell
Real Estate # Negotiate Loans.
List you property with us if you want to
buy or sell.
THE ALLISON REALTY CO.
R. E. Allison, Pres. & Treas.
Office in rear of the Allison Furniture Co., Store
Allison Building, Americus, Ga.
Phone 253.
BICYCLES & SUPPLIES
BUGGIES & HARNESS
PLOW GOODS & ETC.
If in need of any of the above it will be to
your interest to see me before you buy.
H. J. BAGLEY.
Lumber, Sash, Doors, Blinds,
FINE CABINET MANTLES A SPECIALTY,
Full stocks of cement, lime, plaster, shingles
and all builders supplies. Paints, in car load lots.
Grates, medium to the finest.
| A HEAVY load
of wholesome groceries is always
worth bending over, especially if
j you’re to land them at your own
i [ m door '
iv v FINE groceries
fflijL, are always welcome, fragrant coffee,
I choicest tea, prime butter, bottled
hr goodness In so long a list that we’d
if (/ rmST***'" ""‘I be swamped in printer’s ink if list-
N. ilPjjjwn t ing them. Come in and examine the
I Wwll finest assortment of GROCERIES in
I '"i f town, barring none. NOTE THE
- ; —*-■ PRICES.
SPARKs-MASHBURN CO.
NUMBER 30.